distinguish

dis-, 分开，散开。-sting, 刺，做标记，词源同sting, stick. 即分开标记的，区分清楚的。

distinguish (v.)

1560s, from Middle French distinguiss-, stem of distinguer, or directly from Latin distinguere "to separate between, keep separate, mark off, distinguish," perhaps literally "separate by pricking," from dis- "apart" (see dis-) + -stinguere "to prick" (compare extinguish and Latin instinguere "to incite, impel").

Watkins says "semantic transmission obscure;" the sense might be from "pricking out" as the old way to make punctuation in parchment or some literal image, but de Vaan derives the second element from a different PIE root meaning "to push, thrust."

The meanings of ex- and restinguere 'to extinguish' and distinguere seem quite distinct, but can be understood if the root meant 'to press' or 'push': ex-stinguere 'to put a fire out', re-stinguere 'to push back, suppress', and dis-stinguere 'to push apart [thence] distinguish, mark off ...."

The suffix -ish is due to the influence of many verbs in which it is the equivalent of Old French -iss-, ultimately from Latin inchoative suffix -iscere (this is also the case in extinguish, admonish, and astonish). Related: Distinguishing. The earlier form of the verb was distinguen (mid-14c.).

1. It is common to distinguish between personal and social ethics.

个人道德准则和社会道德准则常常不一致。

2. It is necessary to distinguish the policies of two successive governments.

分清前后两届政府的政策很有必要。

3. There were cries, calls. He could distinguish voices.

有哭声、喊声——他能听出不同的声音。

4. At what age are children able to distinguish between right and wrong?

儿童到什么年龄才能明辨是非？

5. It is not easy to distinguish cultured pearls from genuine pearls.

辨别真正的珍珠与养殖的珍珠不容易.