distinguished, ppl. a.
(dɪˈstɪŋgwɪʃt)
[f. distinguish v. + -ed1.]
† 1. Separate, individually distinct. Obs.
| 1609 Tourneur Fun. Poem Sir F. Vere 466 They want that competent required space For ev'ry power in a distinguished place To work in order. 1652 Crashaw Delights Muses 88 She Carves out her dainty voice..Into a thousand sweet distinguish'd tones. 1715–20 Pope Iliad xii. 99 The forces part in five distinguish'd bands. 1813 T. Busby Lucretius I. 210 Distinguished seed each separate kind supplies. |
† 2. Clearly perceived or perceptible; clear, distinct; marked, pronounced. Obs.
| 1700 Dryden Fables, Theodore & Hon. 106 The noise..approaching near With more distinguish'd notes invades his ear. 1703 Rowe Ulyss. i. i. 343 Mark him from the rest with most distinguish'd Hatred. 1782 F. Burney Cecilia iii. vii, Mrs. Delvile received her with the most distinguished politeness. |
† 3. Differentiated from others by character or quality; special, distinctive, characteristic. Obs.
| 1736 Butler Anal. ii. vii. 376 The Jews..appear to have been in fact the people of God in a distinguished sense. 1794 Sullivan View Nat. II. 134 The various opinions..have respectively had their distinguished merits. 1813 T. Busby Lucretius I. Comment. vi, Amid this general praise..two expressions demand my distinguished notice. |
4. a. Possessing distinction; marked by conspicuous excellence or eminence; remarkable, eminent; famous, renowned, celebrated; of high standing (social, scientific, or other). (Formerly of actions, occasions, reputation, etc.; now almost always of persons.)
Distinguished Conduct Medal (abbrev. D.C.M.), a distinction, instituted in 1862, awarded to British warrant officers, non-commissioned officers, and men for distinguished conduct in the field. Distinguished Service Order (abbrev. D.S.O.), an order of distinction for British naval, military, and air force commissioned officers, instituted 9 Nov. 1886. Also Distinguished Service Cross (D.S.C.), Distinguished Flying Cross (D.F.C.), Distinguished Service Medal (D.S.M.), Distinguished Flying Medal (D.F.M.): see quots.
| 1714 Mandeville Fab. Bees (1724) 178 This awing of the multitude by a distinguished manner of living. 1724 Warburton Tracts (1789) 20 He has now three Children..on whom he has bestowed the most distinguished Education. 1772 Miss Wilkes Let. in Wilkes' Corr. (1805) IV. 103 My reception here was as distinguished as at Deal, and very handsome even at Portsmouth. 1800–24 Campbell Dream vi, Worth itself is but a charter To be mankind's distinguish'd martyr. 1818 Jas. Mill Brit. India II. iv. v. 212 The making of a new Nabob, the most distinguished of all occasions for presents. 1849 Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. 319 The modern country gentleman..receives a liberal education, passes from a distinguished school to a distinguished college. 1862 Circ. Mem. 233 25 Nov. in Army List (1863) Jan. 330 No retrospective action will be given to the warrant in question, so far as ‘distinguished conduct’ medals without Annuity or Gratuity are concerned. 1894 Mrs. H. Ward Marcella II. 256 Four or five distinguished guests, including the Conservative Premier. 1914 Times 19 Oct. 8/5 His Majesty has been pleased to approve of the establishment of a medal, to be called the Distinguished Service Medal, to be awarded to chief petty officers, petty officers, men, and boys of all branches of the Royal Navy, to non-commissioned officers and men of the Royal Marines, and to all other persons holding corresponding positions in his Majesty's Service afloat, for distinguished conduct in war in cases where the award of the Conspicuous Gallantry Medal would not be applicable. His Majesty has further approved of the award of the Conspicuous Service Cross (to be designated in future the Distinguished Service Cross) to all officers below the rank of Lieutenant-Commander in addition to the officers previously eligible for this Decoration. 1918 Times 3 June 7/5 ‘The Distinguished Flying Cross’, to be awarded to officers and warrant officers for acts of gallantry when flying in active operations against the enemy... ‘The Distinguished Flying Medal’, to be awarded to non-commissioned officers and men for acts of courage or devotion to duty when flying, although not in active operations against the enemy. |
b. Having an air of distinction, stylish; = distingué.
| 1748 Richardson Clarissa (1811) III. 357 Known by her clothes—her person, her features, so distinguished! 1826 Disraeli Viv. Grey iii. i. 91 Mr. Cleveland was tall and distinguished. 1873 H. E. H. King Disciples, Ugo Bassi vii. (1877) 257 He was Though far from handsome, a distinguished man..an ornament Of drawing-rooms. |
| Comb. 1852 James Agnes Sorrel (1860) I. 225 He was a very..distinguished-looking man. |