DISTINGUISHED
distinguished, grand, imposing, magisterial
(adjective) used of a person’s appearance or behavior; befitting an eminent person; “his distinguished bearing”; “the monarch’s imposing presence”; “she reigned in magisterial beauty”
distinguished
(adjective) (used of persons) standing above others in character or attainment or reputation; “our distinguished professor”
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Etymology
Adjective
distinguished (comparative more distinguished, superlative most distinguished)
celebrated, well-known or eminent because of past achievements; prestigious
Having a dignified appearance or demeanor
(mathematics) Specified, noted.
Synonyms
• (celebrated): eminent, exceptional, remarkable; see also famous or notable
• (dignified appearance): grand, imposing
• (specified)
Antonyms
• mediocre
Verb
distinguished
simple past tense and past participle of distinguish
Source: Wiktionary
Dis*tin"guished, a.
1. Marked; special.
The most distinguished politeness. Mad. D' Arblay.
2. Separated from others by distinct difference; having, or
indicating, superiority; eminent or known; illustrious; -- applied to
persons and deeds.
Syn.
– Marked; noted; famous; conspicuous; celebrated; transcendent;
eminent; illustrious; extraordinary; prominent.
– Distinguished, Eminent, Conspicuous, Celebrated, Illustrious. A
man is eminent, when he stands high as compared with those around
him; conspicuous, when he is so elevated as to be seen and observed;
distinguished, when he has something which makes him stand apart from
others in the public view; celebrated, when he is widely spoken of
with honor and respect; illustrious, when a splendor is thrown around
him which confers the highest dignity.
DISTINGUISH
Dis*tin"guish, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Distinguished; p. pr. & vb. n.
Distinguishing.] Etym: [F. distinguer, L. distinguere, distinctum;
di- = dis- + stinguere to quench, extinguish; prob. orig., to prick,
and so akin to G. stechen, E. stick, and perh. sting. Cf.
Extinguish.]
1. Not set apart from others by visible marks; to make distinctive or
discernible by exhibiting differences; to mark off by some
characteristic.
Not more distinguished by her purple vest, Than by the charming
features of her face. Dryden.
Milton has distinguished the sweetbrier and the eglantine. Nares.
2. To separate by definition of terms or logical division of a
subject with regard to difference; as, to distinguish sounds into
high and low.
Moses distinguished the causes of the flood into those that belong to
the heavens, and those that belong to the earth. T. Burnet.
3. To recognize or discern by marks, signs, or characteristic quality
or qualities; to know and discriminate (anything) from other things
with which it might be confounded; as, to distinguish the sound of a
drum.
We are enabled to distinguish good from evil, as well as truth from
falsehood. Watts.
Nor more can you distinguish of a man, Than of his outward show.
Shak.
4. To constitute a difference; to make to differ.
Who distinguisheth thee 1 Cor. iv. 7. (Douay version).
5. To separate from others by a mark of honor; to make eminent or
known; to confer distinction upon; -- with by or for."To distinguish
themselves by means never tried before." Johnson.
Syn.
– To mark; discriminate; differentiate; characterize; discern;
perceive; signalize; honor; glorify.
Dis*tin"guish, v. i.
1. To make distinctions; to perceive the difference; to exercise
discrimination; -- with between; as, a judge distinguishes between
cases apparently similar, but differing in principle.
2. To become distinguished or distinctive; to make one's self or
itself discernible. [R.]
The little embryo . . . first distinguishes into a little knot. Jer.
Taylor.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition