distinction Copy link Outline I. The act of distinguishing1. distinctio2. expr. by verbII. That which distinguishes one thing from another1. discrīmen, ĭnis, n.2. distinctioIII. A mark of honour1. hŏnor, hŏnos, ōris, m.2. insigne, is, n. (a mark, badge)3. dĕcus, ŏris, n.4. nōbĭlĭtas (esp. of rank)5. ornāmentum • distinction: I. The act of distinguishing: 1. distinctio: the d. of false and true, d. veri a falso, Cic.: of right and wrong, d. justorum injustorumque, Cic. 2. expr. by verb: to be skilled in the d. of things similar, in rebus distinguendis peritum esse: v. to distinguish. II. That which distinguishes one thing from another: 1. discrīmen, ĭnis, n.: let there be this d. between, etc., sit hoc d. inter, etc., Cic.: without d. of sex, sine ullo sexus d., Suet. 2. distinctio: Cic.: Sen.: v. difference. Phr.: (a). without d. (1). prōmiscuus: things divine and human without d., divina atque humana pr., Sall.: to throw open the consulate without d. (of orders), consulatum pr. facere, Liv. (2). prōmiscuē: to put all grown up people to the sword without d., omnes puberes interficere pr., Liv. (where the adj. could not be used). (3). passim: Just.: Stat. Join: passim fortuitoque, Quint.: v. confusedly (b). there is a d. between, interest inter, etc.: v. difference: (c). to draw d.s, discernere, dijudicare: v. to distinguish. III. A mark of honour: 1. hŏnor, hŏnos, ōris, m.: v. honour. 2. insigne, is, n. (a mark, badge): the mark and d. of rank, indicium atque ins. fortunae, Cic.: the fasces and (other) consular d.s, fasces atque consularia ins., Vell.: the d.s of (due to) merit, ins. virtutis, Cic. 3. dĕcus, ŏris, n.: according to age or d. in war, prout aetas, prout d. bellorum, Tac.: Cic.: v. glory, pride. 4. nōbĭlĭtas (esp. of rank): v. nobility: very worthy of d., nobilitate dignissimus, Vell. 5. ornāmentum: v. ornament. Phr.: a person of d., nōbĭlis (homo): v. noble, distinguished.