THE AMERICAN HERITAGE
`DICTIONARY
`
`OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE
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`re befieved ta be Tegistered Lrademarks have bern
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`Words thal
`checked with authoritative sources. No investigation has been
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`made of common-law trademark cighis in any word, because such
`investigation is impracticable. Words that are known to jave
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`Dictionary is not, however, an expression of
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`Indeed, no definition in this Dictionary is to be regarded as af-
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`fecting the validity of any trademark.
`© p69, L970, L971, 1973, 1974 by American Heritage Publishing Co., Inc.
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` distribution
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`distillate
`its context. 8. To exude or give olf in drops of small quantities.
`tively, to turning something, such as the human mind or judg-
`—inir, 1, To undergo or be produced by distillation. 2. To fall
`meni, from & true course,
`Grae! usually refers 10 making twisted
`of exude in drops or small quantities.
`(Middle English distil
`or knotty in a physical sense.
`fen, to trickle, drip, distill, frem Old French déstilier, from Latin
`dis-tor-thon (dis-t6r’shon} a. 1. The act of an instance of dis-
`déstiliare, distilidre ; dé-, down + stilidre, ta drip, from sifliat,
`toting, 2. The condition of being distorted. 3. Optics. A dis-
`drop.] —dis-tili*m-ble adj.
`torted
`image resulting from imperfections inan optical system,
`such as a lens. 4. Electronics. a. An undesired change in the
`dia-til-late (dis't3180', diz-tillt) a. 1. The liquid condensed from
`vapor in distillation. 2. Anything segarded as an essence or
`waveform of a signal. b, Any consequence of such a change;
`purified form. Also called “distillation.”
`especially, diminished clacicy in reception or reproduction.
`dis-til-le-tian (dis't2-ld*shan) n. 1. Any olf various heat-depend-
`5, Psychoanalysis. The modification of unconscious impulses
`Into forme acceptable by conscious or dreaming perception.
`ent processes used to purify or separate a fraction of a relatively
`=-dis-tor'tlan-al adf.
`complex substance: especially, the vaporization of a liquid mix.
`distr. distributor,
`ture with subsequent collection of components by differential
`cooling to condensation. 2, A distillate.
`din-tract (dis-crakt*) tr.v. -treoted, -temcting, «tracts. 1. To cause
`to turn away from the original focus of attention orinterest; to
`distillation column. A tall cylindrical metal shell internally
`fitted with perforated horizontal plates used to promote sspara-
`sidetrack; divert: "Do aor allow any temporary excitement to
`tion of miscible liquids ascending in the shell as vapor,
`distract you fromthe real business.” (C.S,
`Lewis}. 2, To pull in
`is-tillver (dis-tH’or} a 4. One that distills, as a condenser; a
`conflicting directions; unsettle; bewilder.
`(Middle English dis-
`tracten, from Latin distvatere (past participle disrracius}, to pull
`still, 2. A producer or maker of alcoholic liquors by the process
`of distillation.
`Apart, draw away, perplex : dis-, apart, aside + trahere, to draw
`dis-tiller-y (dis-til’o-re) ., pi. -les. An establishment of plant
`eefre h-
`in Appendix*),] —=dis-trac’tive adj. —dle-troct’.
`ing-fy
`adr,
`for distilling, especially alcoholic liquors.
`|
`dig-tinct (dis-tingkt’) adj. 1. Not identical; individual: discrete.
`dis-tract-ed (dis-trak’tid) ad/. 1. Having the attention diverted.
`2. Suffering conflicting emotions: distraught. See Synonyms alt
`2. Not similar; different; unlike. 3. Easily perceived by the
`senses or intellect; clear. 4. Well-defined; explicit; unquestion-
`forgetful, —dle-tract’ad-ly adv.
`able. —See Synonyms at evkient.
`--See Usage note at die
`dhetrac-tion (dis-trak’ahan) nm. 1. The act of distracting of the
`tinetive,
`[Middle English,
`separated, different,
`from Old
`condition of being distracted; a diversion from an original
`French, Irom Latin distincius, past pardelple of dizefnguere, Dis-
`focus, 2. Anything that compels attention or distracis; espe-
`TINGUISH,] —dletines’ly adv. —dia-tincr’nese n.
`cially, an amusement. 3. Extreme mental or emotional disturb-
`ance: obsession: “J doved Dora Spenfow to distraction!”
`dis-tine-tion (dis-tingk'shon) mn. 1. The action of distinguishing;
`(Dickens).
`discrimination; differentiation, 2 The condition or fact of
`dis+train (dis-trin’) ¥,
`-trained,
`-waining,
`-traime, Law. —=17.
`being dissimilar or distinct. a difference, 3.A distinguishing
`1. To seize and held (property) to compel
`payment or repara-
`factor, attribute, or characteristic. 4. Excellence or eminence,
`tion, as of debts. 2. To
`the property of
`(@ person) in order
`as of performance. character, or reputation: a man of distinc
`fon.
`6B. Recognition of achievement or superiority; honor:
`10 compel payment of debts; to distress. —intr. To levy 8 dite
`tress. Middle English disireinen,
`to geize, compel, detain,
`graduate with distinction. —See Synonyms at differance,
`—
`dis:tinc-tive (dis-tingk’tlvy) ad?
`1, Serving to identify: distin-
`fram Old French destreindre (present stem destreign-), from
`uishing: dfsitactive tribal tattoos, 2. Characteristic: distinctive
`Medieval Latin distringere,
`to seize, compel, from Latin, to
`Fabits 3. Linguistics, Phonemically relevant. —See Synonyms
`draw apart, detain, hinder : dis-, apart + sirfagere, to draw tight
`Bt cheractarlstic, —diatine’tive-ty adv, —dis-tine’tive-nees A.
`(see atreig- in Appendix").) —dis-train’a-bie adj,
`-.=dig-train’-
`ment 4. —die-trai’nor (-tra'ner), dis-train’er 7.
`Usage: Distinctive and distinct ave related but seldom inter-
`changeable without difference of meaning. A distinctive odor
`dis-traln-ee (dis‘tri-né’) 2. Law. One who bas been distrained.
`sets something apart; a distinct odor is an unmistakable one. A
`dis-traint (dis-triat’) a. Lew. The act or process of distrainiag; a
`distinctive manner of speaking sharply characterizes a person: 2
`distress.
`{From DISTRAIN (after RESTRAIN, RESTRAINT).]
`gia-traught(dis-trét’} adj. 1. Anxious or agitated; harried, wor-
`distinct manner cmphasizes clarity. Two distinctive groups are,
`again, individualistic (with respect to all others);
`two distines
`fied. 2. Crazed; mad. —See Synonyms at sbetractad.
`[Mid-
`groups are separate ones (primarily with respect to each other),
`dle English, alteration of distract, distracted, from Latin dis-
`tractus, past participle of distrakere, to pefplex, pistRAcT.]
`dis-tin-gué (dis'tang-g2’, di-stling’g8; French déa-tan-gii')
`adj.
`Distinguished in appearance, manner, or bearing.
`frrene ,
`dis-tresa (dis-1rs’} 17.v. -treaved, -tressing, -treesas. 1. To cause
`“distinguished.”]
`anxisty or suffering to; to worry or upset. 2. To bring into
`difficuit circumstances, aspecially financial. 3. Archaic. To con-
`dis-tin-guish (dis-ting’gwish) v,
`-guished. -guishing, -guiabes,
`=r, 1. To recognize as being different_or distinct, 2. To per-
`strain by haracsment. @. Law. To hold theproperty of (9 per-
`ceive distinctly; discern; make out. 3, To detect or recognize;
`son) against the payment of debts; to distrain. —. 1, Anxiety
`pick out. 4. To make noticeable or different; set apan. 6. To
`or suffering; sorrow; unhappiness. 2. Severe strain resulting
`fuse to be eminent or recogaized, Usually used in the reflexive:
`from exhaustion, accident, or the like, 3. The condition of
`being in need of immediate assistance: a dante! in distress; o
`He distinguished himselfas 4 statesman, —inir, To perceive or
`Indicate
`differences; discriminate, Usually used with among or
`ship in distress. 4. Caw. a. The act of distraining
`or seizing, as
`between.
`(Middle English disitaguen, from Old French disi-
`goods, &. The goods thus selzed.
`(Middle English distressen,
`destressen, from Old French destresser, from desiresse, “narrow
`Suer (prosentstem distinguiss-), from Latin disiingwere, to sepa-
`tate,
`distinguish. See ateig- in Appendix.*)] —-dietin’quishr-a-bie
`passage,” strait, constraint, from Vulgar Latin districtia (unat-
`adj, ——distin’guishsa-bly adv.
`tested), narrowness, from Latin districts, past participle of dis-
`tringere, “to draw tight," detain, binder, See distrain.} —dls.
`ady.
`dis-tin-gu
`(dleting’gsishs) adj. Abbr. dist. 1. Character.
`ized by excellence or
`distinction; eminent; renowned. 2. Dig-
`
`nified in conduct or appearance,
`t
`I (dis-trés‘fal) adf,
`1. Causing distress. 2. Experi-
`encing distress, —dis-tresatul-ly ad, —dis-tress‘ful-ness 4.
`ished Conduct Medal, Abby. D.C... A British mili-
`tary
`ration for distinguished conduct in the field.
`diwtrib-urtarey (dis-trib”yo-tir’é) 2., al. -lae. A branch of a river
`that flows away from the main siteam and does not return to it;
`Distinguished Flying Cross. Abbr. DFO. DFC. 1. A US, mili-
`tary decoration awarded for hercism orextraordinary achieve-
`especially, such a branch on the delta of a large river. Compare
`ment in aeri¢l combat. 2. A similar British decoration awarded
`tributery,
`to officers of the Royal Air Force.
`dis-trib-ute (dis-trib’ybt} iy, suted, -uting, -utas. 1, To divide
`DistinguishedService Cross. 4667, DSC, 0.6.G, 1. A U.S.
`and dispense in portions: parcel out. 2. To deliver or pass out:
`distributing
`handbilts on the street. 3. To spread or diffuse over
`Army decoration awarded for exceptional hetoism in combat.
`2. A British decoration awardedto officers of the Royal Navy
`an area,
`Often used in the passive: a widely distributed species,
`for gallantry in action.
`4. To separate into categories; classify,
`6. Logic. To use (a
`term) s¢ as to inctude ail individuals or entities of a given class.
`Distinguished Service Medal. 4bér. 08M, D.3.M, 1.4 U.S,
`military
`decoration awarded for distinguished performance in a
`8. Printing. To separate (type) and replace in the proper boxes,
`(Middle English distriiten, (rom Latin distribuere : dis-, apart
`duty of great responsibility. 2, A British decoration awardedto
`noncommissioned Officers and men in the Royat Mavy and
`+ tribuere, to allot, grant (sce tribute).]
`Royal Marines for distinguished conduct in war.
`Synonyms:distribute, divide, dispense, dole, deal, ration. These
`verbs mean lo give something a5 @ portion or share. Distribure is
`Distinguished Service Order. Abbr, 0.8.0. A British military
`decoration for gallantry in action,
`the least specific. Divide implies giving out portions determined
`dig-tort (dis-tért") iv.v. -torted, -terting, -tarts. 1. To twist out of
`by plan and purpose, often equal parts of portions based on
`S proper of natwral relation of
`parts: misshape; contort. 2. To
`what is due or deserved. Dispense stresses even more the sense
`catt falas light on; alter misleadingly, misrepresent. 3. To cause
`of careful determination of portions according to what is con-
`to work in a twisted or disorderly manner, to pervert.
`[Latin
`sidered due or proper. Dofe (usually followed by ow) implies
`carcJul and scant measurementof portions, often it applies to
`alstorguére (past participle distortus)
`: dis-, apart, aside +
`torquére, Lo Uwist (see tarkw- in Appendix*).] ==dis-tort’er a.
`distribution of charity or something given reluctantly. Deal sug-
`Synonyms: distort, twist, deform, contort, warp, gnari, These
`gests orderlyand equitable distribution, piece by piece. Ration
`refers to equitable division of scarce items, often necessitics, by
`verbs mean to change the form or character of something, usu-
`a system that limits individual portions,
`ally to its disadvantage. Disrerr applies to physical change in
`shape, as by bending, wrenching, or exaggerating
`certain jea-
`dis-tri-bu-tion (dis'tre-bydt’shan) m1. The act of distributing
`tures; to verbal or pictorial misrepresentation; and
`to alteration
`or the condition of being distributed; apportionment. 2. Some-
`thingdistributed; an allotment, 3. The act of dispersing or the
`ot perversion of meaningof something spoken or written, Twist
`hes similar application but intensifies the idea of marked and
`condition of being dispersed; a diffusion. 4, The geographical
`occurence or range of an ofganism. 8 Division into catego-
`deliberate change. Deform refers only to physical change that
`disfigures aad usally deprives the object of attractiveness or
`cles; classification. 6. Law. The division of an estate or prop-
`erly among rightful heirs, 7. Commerce. The process of mar-
`capacity for normal functioning. Conreri implies violent phys
`keting and metchandising goods. 3. Any
`spatial or temporal
`ical change that produces unnatural or grotesque effects,Warp
`can refer to physical turning or twisting out of shape or, figura-
`array of objects or events: the distribution of
`theaters on Aroad-
`
`t Hght/th thin, path/th this, baths/d cut/Ot urge/y valve/w with/
`a
`Fr amife Fe, feo, Ger, schin/él Fr.
`ty, Ger. iber/KH Ger. feh,
`
`yeu webra, size/zh vision/> about, item, edible, galtop, circus/
`och/N Fr, boa. *Follows main vocadutery, {Of obscure origin,
`Scor.
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