contradistinction
|con-tra-dis-tinc-tion|
🇺🇸
/ˌkɑːntrəˌdɪˈstɪŋkʃən/
🇬🇧
/ˌkɒntrəˌdɪˈstɪŋkʃən/
distinction by contrast
Etymology
'contradistinction' originates from Latin elements, specifically the prefix 'contra' and the word 'distinctio', where 'contra' meant 'against' and 'distinctio' meant 'a distinguishing (action)'.
'contradistinction' was formed in English by combining the Latin prefix 'contra-' with the descendant of Latin 'distinctio' (Old French/Medieval Latin forms gave rise to English 'distinction'), resulting in the modern English word 'contradistinction'.
Initially it conveyed the idea 'a distinguishing by opposition' or 'distinguishing against' and over time evolved into the current sense 'a distinction made by contrast'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a distinction made by contrasting two or more things; a distinction established by showing differences.
She drew a clear contradistinction between theory and practice.
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Noun 2
a contrasting element or contrast used to clarify or emphasize differences.
The author uses the contradistinction of wealth and poverty to highlight social inequality.
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Last updated: 2025/11/28 19:29