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Previous Thread Next Thread Print Thread contradistinguish vs. distinguish #198375 03/18/2011 4:39 PM Joined: Mar 2011 Posts: 3 merphd stranger merphd stranger Joined: Mar 2011 Posts: 3 Why ever use "contradistinguish" instead of "distinguish," since contrast is inherent in the idea of distinguishing two or more items? Last edited by merphd; 03/18/2011 4:40 PM. Reason: remove excess words Copy Link to Clipboard Share Post on Facebook Share Post on Twitter Share Post on Reddit Re: contradistinguish vs. distinguish merphd #198377 03/18/2011 4:51 PM Joined: Jun 2008 Posts: 9,974 Likes: 3 Land of the Flat Water LukeJavan8 Carpal Tunnel LukeJavan8 Carpal Tunnel Joined: Jun 2008 Posts: 9,974 Likes: 3 Land of the Flat Water Welcome merphd ----please, draw me a sheep---- Copy Link to Clipboard Share Post on Facebook Share Post on Twitter Share Post on Reddit Re: contradistinguish vs. distinguish LukeJavan8 #198379 03/18/2011 8:04 PM Joined: Mar 2011 Posts: 3 merphd stranger merphd stranger Joined: Mar 2011 Posts: 3 Thank you. Copy Link to Clipboard Share Post on Facebook Share Post on Twitter Share Post on Reddit Re: contradistinguish vs. distinguish merphd #198380 03/18/2011 8:53 PM Joined: Apr 2000 Posts: 10,542 this too shall pass tsuwm Carpal Tunnel tsuwm Carpal Tunnel Joined: Apr 2000 Posts: 10,542 this too shall pass an interesting question, this. I think contradistinguish is used in a more specific (pedantic?) and narrower sense; i.e., there are more senses given for distinguish (W3 gives five and OED nine, whereas contradistinguish has just the one). Copy Link to Clipboard Share Post on Facebook Share Post on Twitter Share Post on Reddit Re: contradistinguish vs. distinguish tsuwm #198386 03/19/2011 5:30 AM Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 1,706 down under Candy Pooh-Bah Candy Pooh-Bah Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 1,706 down under I find contradistinguish contraindicative and a mouthful too. Copy Link to Clipboard Share Post on Facebook Share Post on Twitter Share Post on Reddit Re: contradistinguish vs. distinguish Candy #198416 03/20/2011 2:46 AM Joined: Mar 2000 Posts: 11,613 Louisville, Kentucky Jackie Carpal Tunnel Jackie Carpal Tunnel Joined: Mar 2000 Posts: 11,613 Louisville, Kentucky I find contradistinguish contraindicative Copy Link to Clipboard Share Post on Facebook Share Post on Twitter Share Post on Reddit Re: contradistinguish vs. distinguish merphd #198554 03/28/2011 11:48 PM Joined: Mar 2011 Posts: 39 Oregon obihave newbie obihave newbie Joined: Mar 2011 Posts: 39 Oregon Contradistinguish carries a heavier weight that the two objects being compared have an opposite quality. My height distinguishes me from my coworkers because I am a little above average height (6'4") Shaquille O'Neal's height (7'2") is contradistinguished from that of Verne Troyer (Mini-Me)(2'8"). I like to say things a little differently The Saga Retold in Limericks Copy Link to Clipboard Share Post on Facebook Share Post on Twitter Share Post on Reddit Re: contradistinguish vs. distinguish obihave #198555 03/29/2011 12:17 AM Joined: Jun 2008 Posts: 9,974 Likes: 3 Land of the Flat Water LukeJavan8 Carpal Tunnel LukeJavan8 Carpal Tunnel Joined: Jun 2008 Posts: 9,974 Likes: 3 Land of the Flat Water Okey dokey. ----please, draw me a sheep---- Copy Link to Clipboard Share Post on Facebook Share Post on Twitter Share Post on Reddit Re: contradistinguish vs. distinguish obihave #198568 03/29/2011 10:41 AM Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 1,706 down under Candy Pooh-Bah Candy Pooh-Bah Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 1,706 down under Originally Posted By: obihave ...... Shaquille O'Neal's height (7'2") is contradistinguished from that of Verne Troyer (Mini-Me)(2'8"). either would be a distinct quality Copy Link to Clipboard Share Post on Facebook Share Post on Twitter Share Post on Reddit Moderated by  Jackie  Hop To General Topics ------  Information and announcements  Q&A about words  Wordplay and fun  Words and languages in schools  Miscellany  Weekly Themes  Looking for (writers, speakers,... (Old) Weekly themes. 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