distinction
/dɪˈstɪŋkʃən/noun
1
- a difference or contrast between similar things or people不同; 差异：
there is a sharp distinction between domestic politics and international politics
国内政治和国际政治间有着鲜明的差异
I was completely unaware of class distinctions.
我全然没有意识到阶级差别。
1.1
- mass noun the separation of things or people into different groups according to their attributes or characteristics区分; 辨别：
high interest rates strike down, without distinction, small businesses and the unemployed.
高利率无一例外地打垮了小企业和失业者。
2
- mass noun excellence that sets someone or something apart from others优秀, 杰出：
a novelist of distinction.
一位优秀的小说家。
2.1
- count noun a decoration or honour awarded to someone勋章; 荣誉：
he gained the highest distinction awarded for excellence in photography.
因为在摄影方面的卓越成就他获得了最高荣誉。
2.2
- a grade in an examination denoting outstanding excellence（成绩的）优秀：
she gained a distinction in her diploma.
她在毕业证书上得了优。比较MERIT.
短语
distinction without a difference
- an artificially created distinction where no real difference exists人为的区别。
词源
Middle English （in the sense 'subdivision， category'）： via Old French from Latin distinctio（n-）， from the verb distinguere （see DISTINGUISH）.