distinguished

Everyday

1. Distinguished means famous and respected because of important work: «a distinguished scientist». tree →
2. Distinguished means looking important and dignified, often an older person. tree →
3. (verb) If you distinguished one thing from another, you saw or showed the difference between them. tree →

In the lessons

In formal texts and speeches it praises important people. As a verb in science, you distinguish between groups by their features. Phrases: «distinguished guest», «distinguished from», «distinguished career».

Examples

• A distinguished writer visited our school. tree →
• Please welcome our distinguished guests. tree →
• Grandpa looks distinguished in his grey suit. tree →
• Can you distinguish a frog from a toad? tree →
• The twins could hardly be distinguished from each other. tree →
• She had a distinguished career as a doctor. tree →
• And who were these distinguished guests? tree →

Note

Formal. «Distinguish between A and B» or «distinguish A from B». The verb is regular. Silent u sound: dis-TING-gwisht.

In Jewish tradition

In Daniel it means that Daniel stood out above the other officials because of his excellent spirit, so that the king meant to set him over the whole kingdom.

Interpretation. Tradition sees Daniel's rise as coming from his wisdom and his faithfulness, which God gave him.

Examples

• "The Deity, it is thought by some, was distinguished by the P3'thagoreans as absolute unity, from unity conceived." {A (Mordell, The Origin of Letters and Numerals according to Sefer Yetzirah (1914)) tree →
• Then this Daniel distinguished himself above the presidents and the satraps, because a surpassing spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm. (Writings DAN.6.4, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Formal. «Distinguish between A and B» or «distinguish A from B». The verb is regular. Silent u sound: dis-TING-gwisht.