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The quality or state of being distinct; a separation or difference that prevents confusion of parts or things. The soul's . . . distinctness from the body. Cudworth.

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.

Separated from others by distinct difference; having, or indicating, superiority; eminent or known; illustrious; -- applied to persons and deeds.

One who discerns accurately the difference of things; a nice or judicious observer. Dryden.

Constituting difference, or distinction from everything else; distinctive; peculiar; characteristic. The distinguishing doctrines of our holy religion. Locke. Distinguishing pennant (Naut.), a special pennant by which any particular vessel in a fleet is recognized and signaled. Simmonds.

Observation of difference; distinction. Graunt.

An ambiguity of meaning; a disagreement of difference in opinion. Sir T. Browne.

Disagreement; difference. Related with some divergence by other writers. Sir G. C. Lewis.

various in form or quality; to give variety to; to variegate; to distinguish by numerous differences or aspects. Separated and diversified on from another. Locke. Its seven colors, that diversify all the face of nature. I. Taylor.

A state of difference; dissimilitude; unlikeness. They will prove opposite; and not resting in a bare diversity, rise into a contrariety. South.

Disunion; difference in opinion or feeling; discord; variance; alienation. There was a division among the people. John vii. 43.

Creating, or tending to create, division, separation, or difference. It [culture] is after all a dainty and divisive quality, and can not reach to the depths of humanity. J. C. Shairp. -- Di*vi"sive*ly, adv. -- Di*vi"sive*ness, n. Carlyle.

The difference between the speed of a screw steamer under sail and that of the screw when the ship outruns the screw; or between the propulsive effects of the different floats of a paddle wheel. See Citation under Drag, v. i., 3. Drag sail (Naut.), a sail or canvas rigged on a stout frame, to be dragged by a vessel thr…

The difference between the size of a bolt and the hole into which it is driven, or between the circumference of a hoop and that of the mast on which it is to be driven.

Discriminating choice; discernment. [Obs.] To use men with much difference and election is good. Bacon.

sed to express the degree of electrification as equivalent to potential, or more properly difference of potential.

he form of a circle or a sphere; especially, in reference to the figure of the earth, the difference between the equatorial and polar semidiameters, divided by the equatorial; thus, the ellipticity of the earth is

which relates to the action or state; as in emergence, diffidence, diligence, influence, difference, excellence. See -ance.

change of notes to the eye, while, as the same keys are used, the instrument can mark no difference to the ear, as the substitution of A for G#.

A shoulder ornament or badge worn by military and naval officers, differences of rank being marked by some peculiar form or device, as a star, eagle, etc.; a shoulder knot.