Etymology : Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin distinctus, from past participle of distinguere
Pronunciation : di-'sti[ng](k)t
Function : adjective
Date : 14th century
1. clear, plain; different; separate. distinct\dis*tinct"\ , v. t. to distinguish. [obs.] of r.distinct \dis*tinct"\ , a. [l. distinctus, p. p. of distinguere: cf. f. distinct. see:
distinguish.].
2. distinguished; having the difference marked; separated by a visible sign; marked out; specified. [obs.] wherever thus created -- for no place is yet distinct by name.
3. marked; variegated. [obs.] the which [place] was dight with divers flowers distinct with rare delight.
4. separate in place; not conjunct; not united by growth or otherwise; -- with from. the intention was that the two armies which marched out together should afterward be distinct.
5. not identical; different; individual. to offend, and judge, are distinct offices.
6. so separated as not to be confounded with any other thing; not liable to be misunderstood; not confused; well-defined; clear; as, we have a distinct or indistinct view of a prospect. relation more particular and distinct.
7. Distinguished; having the difference marked; separated by a visible sign; marked out; specified.
8. Marked; variegated.
9. Separate in place; not conjunct; not united by growth or otherwise; with from.
10. Not identical; different; individual.
11. So separated as not to be confounded with any other thing; not liable to be misunderstood; not confused; well- defined; clear; as, we have a distinct or indistinct view of a prospect.
12. To distinguish. recognizable; marked; "noticed a distinct improvement"; "at a distinct disadvantage" easy to perceive; especially clearly outlined; "a distinct flavor"; "a distinct odor of turpentine"; "a distinct outline"; "the ship appeared as a distinct silhouette"; "distinct fingerprints" not alike; different in nature or quality; "plants of several distinct types"; "the word `nationalism' is used in at least two distinct senses"; "gold is distinct from iron"; "a tree related to but quite distinct from the European beech"; "management had interests quite distinct from those of their employees".
13. 1. If something is distinct from something else of the same type, it is different or separate from it. Engineering and technology are disciplines distinct from one another and from science This book is divided into two distinct parts. + distinctly dis·tinct·ly a banking industry with two distinctly different sectors.
14. If something is distinct, you can hear, see, or taste it clearly. to impart a distinct flavor with a minimum of cooking fat. + distinctly dis·tinct·ly I distinctly heard the loudspeaker calling passengers for the Turin-Amsterdam flight.
15. If an idea, thought, or intention is distinct, it is clear and definite. Now that Tony was no longer present, there was a distinct change in her attitude + distinctly dis·tinct·ly I distinctly remember wishing I had not got involved.
16. emphasis You can use distinct to emphasize that something is great enough in amount or degree to be noticeable or important. Being 6ft 3in tall has some distinct disadvantages! = definite + distinctly dis·tinct·ly His government is looking distinctly shaky.
17. If you say that you are talking about one thing as distinct from another, you are indicating exactly which thing you mean. There's a lot of evidence that oily fish, as distinct from fatty meat, has a beneficial effect.