- [countable] distinction (between A and B)
a clear difference or contrast especially between people or things that are similar or related 差别；区别；对比 distinctions between traditional and modern societies 传统社会和现代社会的差别 Philosophers did not use to make a distinction between arts and science. 哲学家过去不把人文科学和自然科学区别开来。 We need to draw a distinction between the two events. 我们得把两起事件区别开来。
Extra ExamplesCultural distinctions lie at the heart of these issues. 这些问题的核心是文化差异。 Is there always an absolute distinction between right and wrong? 在对与错之间总是有一个绝对的界限吗？ It was a subtle distinction but a very important one. 这是一个不起眼但却至关重要的差别。 No legal distinction existed between cities and other corporations. 城市和其他法人之间并不存在法律上的差别。 She draws an important distinction between the different kinds of illness. 她对各种不同的疾病进行了重要的区分。 The distinction between amateur and professional players is being blurred. 业余选手和职业选手之间的差别正在变模糊。 We can see a sharp distinction between ambition and greed. 我们可以看出进取心和贪欲之间的明显差别。 a society without distinctions of class and privilege 一个没有阶级和特权差别的社会 making invidious distinctions between the ‘deserving’ and the ‘undeserving’ poor 在“值得救济”的穷人和“不值得救济”的穷人之间制造令人厌恶的区分 the conventional distinction between pure and applied science 纯科学与应用科学之间的传统分野 She tends to blur the distinctions between family and friends. 她往往把家人和朋友混淆起来。 We need to draw a distinction between democratic socialism and social democracy. 我们需要把民主社会主义与社会民主主义区别开来。
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- critical
- crucial
- important
- …
- draw
- make
- note
- …
- lie
- exist
- without distinction
- distinction between
- distinction of
- …
- [uncountable]
the act of separating people or things into different groups 区分；分清；辨别 - distinction (between A and B)
The new law makes no distinction between adults and children (= treats them equally). 这项新法规对成人和孩子同样适用。 - without distinction
All groups are entitled to this money without distinction. 所有团体一律有权得到这笔款项。
- distinction (between A and B)
- [singular]
the quality of being something that is special 特质；特点；不同凡响 Extra ExamplesFennel leaves add distinction to any dish. 茴香叶会为任何一道菜增添特色。 Though they fought with distinction, they suffered heavy casualties. 虽然他们战斗出色，但伤亡惨重。 New York does not have the nation's oldest subway system; that distinction belongs to Boston. 纽约并没有该国最古老的地铁系统；这一荣誉属于波士顿。 Wearing the county tie was a mark of modest social distinction. 打这种地方特有的领带是在社会上小有名气的标志。
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- considerable
- great
- dubious
- …
- have
- achieve
- earn
- …
- belong
- of distinction
- with distinction
- [uncountable]
the quality of being excellent or important 优秀；杰出；卓越 a writer of distinction 优秀作家
Extra ExamplesShe is a historian of great distinction. 她是一位声望极高的历史学家。 She achieved distinction in several fields of scholarship. 她在几个学术领域都取得了显着的成绩。 The cast performed with some distinction. 演员们的表演颇有特色。 Election to the NAE is an indication of professional distinction. 当选国家工程院院士表明了专业上的卓越。 He served with distinction in the First World War. 他在第一次世界大战中战功卓著。
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- considerable
- great
- dubious
- …
- have
- achieve
- earn
- …
- belong
- of distinction
- with distinction
- [countable, uncountable]
a special mark or award that is given to somebody, especially a student, for excellent work （尤指给学生的）优等评分，荣誉，奖赏
Word OriginMiddle English (in the sense ‘subdivision, category’): via Old French from Latin distinctio(n-), from the verb distinguere, from dis- ‘apart’ + stinguere ‘put out’.
Idioms
a distinction without a difference
a point that somebody wants to suggest is a difference when in fact it is not different at all 特质；特点；不同凡响 His government did not brand them terrorists, but rather ‘an entity that supports terrorism’. That may prove to be a distinction without a difference. 他的政府没有称他们为恐怖分子，而是称他们为“支持恐怖主义的实体”。这可能被证明是一个没有区别的区别。