distinct
/dɪˈstɪŋ(k)t
/adjective
1Recognizably different in nature from something else of a similar type: the patterns of spoken language are distinct from those of writing there are two distinct types of sickle cell disease...
- This should be recognized as distinct from suppressing emotion.
- Thus the nature of plants is quite distinct from the nature of rocks and sand.
- There are different types of arthritis that occur in children that are distinct from adult types.
Synonyms
clear, clear-cut, definite, well defined, sharp, marked, decided, unmistakable, easily distinguishable;
recognizable, visible, perceptible, noticeable, obvious, plain, plain as day, evident, apparent, manifest, patent, palpable, unambiguous, unequivocal, pronounced, prominent, striking
1.1Physically separate: the gallery is divided into five distinct spaces...
- This remained physically and functionally distinct and probably remained a separate planning unit.
- These are two separate, proudly distinct States, and yet both part of what we are happy to call the Union of India.
- Even in cosmopolitan Warsaw, Jews and Poles inhabited not only separate districts, but distinct worlds.
Synonyms
discrete, separate, individual, different, unconnected, unassociated, detached;
precise, specific, distinctive, dissimilar, unalike, contrasting, disparate, unique;
Latin sui generis
2Readily distinguishable by the senses: a distinct smell of nicotine...
- Burkhard prints his own work and the end result is somewhat grainy with a distinct sense of texture.
- We're both nonsmokers, and there was a very distinct smell of cigars about Henri Paul.
- We arrive at the sailing club, and there's a distinct smell around.
2.1 [attributive] (Used for emphasis) so clearly apparent to the mind as to be unmistakable; definite: he got the distinct impression that Melissa wasn’t best pleased...
- I get a distinct impression that the money is important here.
- The problem with using intent with respect to terrorism is the very distinct possibility of never determining anyone's intent.
- A very distinct advantage to having a press pass is getting in before the general public.
Derivatives
distinctness
/ noun ...- In addition, such distinctness enhances the between-group variance so essential to group selection and emergence of a higher-level unit.
- Here strikes the distinctness for any traveller.
- Even now ‘a sense of cultural distinctness remains politically relevant’.
Origin
Late Middle English (in the sense 'differentiated'): from Latin distinctus 'separated, distinguished', from the verb distinguere (see distinguish).