Difference vs. Distinction
Differencenoun
(uncountable) The quality of being different.
Differencenoun
(countable) A characteristic of something that makes it different from something else.
Differencenoun
(countable) A disagreement or argument.
Differencenoun
Significant change in or effect on a situation or state.
Differencenoun
(countable) The result of a subtraction; sometimes the absolute value of this result.
Differencenoun
(obsolete) Choice; preference.
Differencenoun
(heraldry) An addition to a coat of arms to distinguish two people's bearings which would otherwise be the same. See augmentation and cadency.
Differencenoun
(logic) The quality or attribute which is added to those of the genus to constitute a species; a differentia.
Differencenoun
(logic circuits) A Boolean operation which is TRUE when the two input variables are different but is otherwise FALSE; the XOR operation (\scriptstyle A \overline B + \overline A B).
Differencenoun
(relational algebra) the set of elements that are in one set but not another (\scriptstyle A \overline B).
Differenceverb
(transitive) To distinguish or differentiate.
Differencenoun
The act of differing; the state or measure of being different or unlike; distinction; dissimilarity; unlikeness; variation; as, a difference of quality in paper; a difference in degrees of heat, or of light; what is the difference between the innocent and the guilty?
Differencenoun
Disagreement in opinion; dissension; controversy; quarrel; hence, cause of dissension; matter in controversy.
Differencenoun
That by which one thing differs from another; that which distinguishes or causes to differ; mark of distinction; characteristic quality; specific attribute.
Differencenoun
Choice; preference.
Differencenoun
An addition to a coat of arms to distinguish the bearings of two persons, which would otherwise be the same. See Augmentation, and Marks of cadency, under Cadency.
Differencenoun
The quality or attribute which is added to those of the genus to constitute a species; a differentia.
Differencenoun
The quantity by which one quantity differs from another, or the remainder left after subtracting the one from the other.
Differenceverb
To cause to differ; to make different; to mark as different; to distinguish.
Differencenoun
the quality of being unlike or dissimilar;
Differencenoun
a variation that deviates from the standard or norm;
Differencenoun
a disagreement or argument about something important;
Differencenoun
a significant change;
Differencenoun
the number that remains after subtraction; the number that when added to the subtrahend gives the minuend
Distinctionnoun
That which distinguishes; a single occurrence of a determining factor or feature, the fact of being divided; separation, discrimination.
Distinctionnoun
The act of distinguishing, discriminating; discrimination.
Distinctionnoun
Specifically, a feature that causes someone or something to stand out as being better; a mark of honour, rank, eminence or excellence; being distinguished.
Distinctionnoun
A marking off by visible signs; separation into parts; division.
Distinctionnoun
The act of distinguishing or denoting the differences between objects, or the qualities by which one is known from others; exercise of discernment; discrimination.
Distinctionnoun
That which distinguishes one thing from another; distinguishing quality; sharply defined difference; as, the distinction between real and apparent good.
Distinctionnoun
Estimation of difference; regard to differences or distinguishing circumstance.
Distinctionnoun
Conspicuous station; eminence; superiority; honorable estimation; as, a man of distinction.
Distinctionnoun
a discrimination between things as different and distinct;
Distinctionnoun
high status importance owing to marked superiority;
Distinctionnoun
a distinguishing quality;
Distinctionnoun
a distinguishing difference;
