distinguish

Verb

distinguish (third-person singular simple present distinguishes, present participle distinguishing, simple past and past participle distinguished)

1. To recognize someone or something as different from others based on its characteristics.
   • It had begun to take a leading place even in the days of the Ptolemies, and in scientific, as distinguished from purely literary work, it had assumed a position of primary importance early in the Christian era.1922, De Lacy O'Leary, Arabic Thought and Its Place in History
   • The physics of elementary particles in the 20th century was distinguished by the observation of particles whose existence had been predicted by theorists sometimes decades earlier.2012 March-April, Jeremy Bernstein, “A Palette of Particles”, in American Scientist, volume 100, number 2, page 146

   Synonyms:

   differentiate, discriminate, decern, discern, differentialize, set apart, tell, tell apart

   Antonyms:

   confuse

2. To see someone or something clearly or distinctly.

   Synonyms:

   discern, make out

3. (reflexive, transitive) To make noticeably different or better from others through accomplishments.
   • The soldier distinguished himself in combat and received a medal.
   • 1784: William Jones, The Description and Use of a New Portable Orrery, &c., PREFACE
     THE favourable reception the Orrery has met with from Perſons of the firſt diſtinction, and from Gentlemen and Ladies in general, has induced me to add to it ſeveral new improvements in order to give it a degree of...
4. To confer an honor upon.
   • The soldier was distinguished with a medal for his bravery.
5. (obsolete, transitive) To make to differ.
   • For who diſtinguiſheth thee?1749, The New Testament of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. […] Newly reviſed, and corrected according to the Clementin Edition of the Scriptures (Douay–Rheims Bible, Challoner Revision), 1...