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Webster 1913 Edition


Contradistinction

Conˊtra-dis-tinc′tion

,
Noun.
Distinction by contrast.
That there are such things as sins of infirmity in
contradistinction
to those of presumption is not to be questioned.
South.

Webster 1828 Edition


Contradistinction

CONTRADISTINCTION

,
Noun.
[contra and distinction.] Distinction by opposite qualities.
We speak of sins of infirmity, in contradistinction to those of presumption.

Definition 2024


contradistinction

contradistinction

English

Noun

contradistinction (plural contradistinctions)

  1. Distinction by contrast; the provision of one example against which another example may be defined.
    We used hamburgers and soda in contradistinction to healthy food.
  2. The quality of being contradistinctive.

Usage notes

  • Found normally in the phrase in contradistinction to, contradistinction focuses on the contrasting attributes of two similar concepts and may be more emphatic than distinction.

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