The act of distinguishing or denoting the differences between objects, or the qualities by which one is known from others; exercise of discernment; discrimination.
That which distinguishes one thing from another; distinguishing quality; sharply defined difference; as, the distinction between real and apparent good.
Estimation of difference; regard to differences or distinguishing circumstance.
The absence of sameness between concepts or things.
A distinction is a conversation aimed at explaining the separation, the gap, or difference between two separate concepts to clarify understanding.
a discrimination between things as different and distinct; "it is necessary to make a distinction between love and infatuation"
a distinguishing quality; "it has the distinction of being the cheapest restaurant in town"
a distinguishing difference; "he learned the distinction between gold and lead"
a partitioning of the world (whether internal or external) into things that can be distinguished
a subtle difference between two seemingly similar terms, like power and strength
To set up rules for disambiguating closely related concepts.
Distinction is a social force that places different values on different individuals. The criteria for such judgements have always been a matter of controversy and subject to criticism. They are, furthermore, subject to constant change.
Distinction is a principle under international humanitarian law governing the legal use of force in an armed conflict. Belligerents must distinguish between combatants and civilians.Joel Greenberg http://www.crimesofwar.org/thebook/civilian-illegal-target.html Civilians, Illegal Targeting of Distinction and proportionality are important factors in assessing military necessity in that the harm caused to civilians or civilian property must be proportional and not excessive in relation to the concrete and direct military advantage anticipated by an attack on a military objective. Article 52 of ''Additional Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions provides a widely-accepted definition of military objective: "In so far as objects are concerned, military objectives are limited to those objects which by their nature, location, purpose or use make an effective contribution to military action and whose total or partial destruction, capture or neutralization, in the circumstances ruling at the time, offers a definite military advantage" (Source: Luis Moreno-Ocampo References page 5, footnote 11).