definition of
distinguish

[1] #1 distinguish v. [separate, differentiate, secern, secernate, severalize, severalise, tell, tell apart] mark as different; "We distinguish several kinds of maple". wn

[2] #2 distinguish v. [spot, recognize, recognise, discern, pick out, make out, tell apart] detect with the senses; "The fleeing convicts were picked out of the darkness by the watchful prison guards"; "I can't make out the faces in this photograph". wn

[3] #3 distinguish v. [mark, differentiate] be a distinctive feature, attribute, or trait; sometimes in a very positive sense; "His modesty distinguishes him from his peers". wn

[4] #4 distinguish v. [signalize, signalise] make conspicuous or noteworthy. wn

[5] #5 distinguish v. [identify, discover, key, key out, describe, name] identify as in botany or biology, for example. wn