1. Readily distinguishable from all others; discrete: on two distinct occasions.2. Easily perceived by the senses or intellect; clear: a distinct flavor.3. Clearly defined; unquestionable: at a distinct disadvantage.4. Very likely; probable: There is a distinct possibility that she won't come.5. Notable: a distinct honor and high privilege.
ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English, past participle of distincten, to distinguish, discern, from Old French destincter, from Latin distnctus, past participle of distinguere, to distinguish. See distinguish.
OTHER FORMS:
dis·tinctly —ADVERB dis·tinctness —NOUN
SYNONYMS:
distinct, discrete, separate, several These adjectives mean distinguished from others in nature or qualities: 12 distinct colors; a company with six discrete divisions; a problem consisting of two separate issues; performed several steps of the process. See also synonyms at apparent.
USAGE NOTE:
A thing is distinct if it is sharply distinguished from other things; a property or attribute is distinctive if it enables us to distinguish one thing from another. The warbler is not a distinct species means that the warbler is not a clearly defined type of bird. The pine warbler has a distinctive song means that the pine warbler's song enables us to distinguish it from all other birds, including other warblers.
d
-st
nctus, past participle of distinguere, to distinguish. See distinguish.
