distinction

记住“distinction”可以将其分解为“dis-tin-ction”。想象一个“dis”（分开）的过程，就像有条线把事物分开出不同的“tinct”部分，这个“tinct”可以联想到“distinct”，意味着清晰的界限或明显的不同，这样就形成了“distinction”，表示区别或突出。

distinction (n.)

c. 1200, "one of the parts into which something is divided;" mid-14c. as "action of distinguishing," from Old French distinction and directly from Latin distinctionem (nominative distinctio) "separation, distinction, discrimination," noun of action from past participle stem of distinguere (see distinguish). Meaning "distinctive nature or character" is late 14c. Meaning "excellence or eminence" (what distinguishes from others) is first recorded 1690s.

1. Lewis emerges as a composer of distinction and sensitivity.

刘易斯作为一位悟性很高的优秀作曲家崭露头角。

2. Steve Crabb can fly the flag with distinction for Britain in Barcelona.

史蒂夫·克拉布在巴塞罗那可以旗帜鲜明地支持英国。

3. Many people make a sharp distinction between humans and other animals.

很多人认为人类和其他动物截然不同。

4. He displayed a sublime indifference to the distinction between right and wrong.

他对是非之间的差别根本就无动于衷。

5. A distinction must be made between archaeology proper and science-based archaeology.

必须区分考古学本身和以科学为基础的考古学。

【difference, distinction, discrimination, discrepancy】
这组词都有“差别，区别”的意思，其区别是：
difference: 普通用词，可指事物本质上的差异或数量上的差额，也可指事物在某一方面的差别，还可指人们之间的不同意见。
distinction: 较正式用词，除指事物在本质上的差别外，还指在某一方面或某一细节上的区分，要在认真观察、研究后才易觉察。
discrimination: 侧重指在判断、见识方面的差别，也可指待遇上的区别。
discrepancy: 多用于言论和记述方面，指两物之间缺乏使之相似或平衡的协调。