is distinguishment a word?  I know that distinction is the common word
used today, but my understanding is that distinction is an
observer-free difference whereas distinguishment is a difference that
requires an observer.

Thus, the distinction between unicorns and horses is a single horn,
but the stripes on a zebra are a distinguishment that separates it
from other horse-like animals.

Really, what I'm looking for is someone with OED (Oxford English
Dictionary) access to tell me if it's listed.  I have a friend who has
been needling me about this for years now and I want to close it out.

---

Request for Question Clarification by kriswrite-ga on 15 Oct 2004 11:18 PDT

How about Mirriam-Webster? A search for "distinguishment" produces no
results. If you look up "distinguish," you'll find many variations
(including "distinguishability," "distinguishable," and
"distinguishably"), but no reference for "distinguishment."

Please let me know if this is a satisfactory question.  

Regards,
Kriswrite

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Clarification of Question by grinr-ga on 15 Oct 2004 11:35 PDT

I'm afraid Merriam-Webster isn't good enough.  I'm aware that the word
is not in common usage, having been replaced by 'distinction', but
being archaic doesn't mean it's not a word.  I'm looking for
verification that it -was- a word at one point and (probably more
importantly) it's in the OED today (since the non-abridged OED has
freakin' every word ever.)

Thanks for the shot though!

'Distinguishment' is listed in my unabridged Oxford English
Dictionary. Here's what the OED says:

======================================================================

Distinguishment. Now rare or obs. [f. DISTINGUISH + -MENT.]

1. The action of distinguishing or fact of being distinguished;
dictinction; also concr. something serving to distinguish. (Common in
17th c.)...

2. Clear discernment, distinct perception. Obs.

======================================================================

The word is also found in at least four online dictionaries:

Dictionary.com
http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=distinguishment

Online Plain Text English Dictionary
http://www.onelook.com/?other=web1913&w=Distinguishment

ARTFL Project: Webster Dictionary, 1913
http://machaut.uchicago.edu/cgi-bin/WEBSTER.sh?WORD=distinguishment

Webster's 1828 Dictionary, Electronic Version 
http://65.66.134.201/cgi-bin/webster/webster.exe?search_for_texts_web1828=distinguishment
 
======================================================================
 
I hope this is helpful. If anything is unclear or incomplete, please
request clarification; I'll be glad to offer further assistance before
you rate my answer.

Best regards,
pinkfreud

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Clarification of Answer by pinkfreud-ga on 15 Oct 2004 11:59 PDT

I should note that my transcription from the Oxford English Dictionary
came from the OED1, the only edition to which I have immediate access.
 Since the word in question is archaic, I doubt that the OED2's entry
would be substantially different.

Excellent.  THAT is a nice, comprehensive answer.  Thanks!

Thank you very much for the kind words, the five stars, and the generous tip!

~pinkfreud