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   dis·tinc·tion

   /dəˈstiNG(k)SH(ə)n/

   noun

   • 1. a difference or contrast between similar things or people: "there is a sharp distinction between what is work and what is leisure" Similar differencecontrastdissimilaritydissimilitudedivergencevariancevariationdivisionseparationdifferentiationcontradistinctiondiscriminationsegregationdividing linegulfgapchasmOpposite similarity
   • ▪ the separation of things or people into different groups according to their attributes or characteristics: "these procedures were to be applied to all births, without distinction"
   • 2. excellence that sets someone or something apart from others: "a novelist of distinction" Similar importancesignificancenoteconsequenceaccountrenownfamecelebrityprominenceeminencepreeminencereputereputationhonorprestigestatushigh standingillustriousnessnamemarkrankmeritworthgreatnessexcellencegloryqualitysuperiorityOpposite mediocrity
   • ▪ a decoration or honor awarded to someone in recognition of outstanding achievement: "he gained the highest distinction awarded for excellence in photography" Similar honorcreditexcellencemerit
   • ▪ recognition of outstanding achievement, such as on an examination: "I made a distinction in Greek"

   Word Origin Middle English (in the sense ‘subdivision, category’): via Old French from Latin distinctio(n-), from the verb distinguere (see distinguish).

   Scrabble Points: 14

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