distinguishable 
I would endeavour that my bettors should si>pk me hy 
the merit of sometliini,' di*tinit'<iitli<i!,i. . inM--ad of niy 
seeking thrhl. 
distinguishableness (dis-ting'gwish-a-bl-nes), 
H. The state of being distinguishable. Bailey, 
distinguishable (dis-ting'gwish-a-bli). ml,-. 
So as to be distinguished. 
We have both spices of Carissa In this province; hut 
they melt, scarce dil/ii'iiii.iliiiH,i, into each oilier. 
SYr H'. ./on/'*, Selert Indian Plants. 
distinguished (dis-ting'gwisht), ;>. a. 1. Sep- 
arated by some mark of distinction : as, distin- 
Utiixhcd rank; ilixthigui.xlicd abilities. 2. Pos- 
sessing distinction; separated from the gen- 
erality by superior abilities, achievements, 
character, or reputation; better known than 
others in the same class or profession; well 
known; eminent: as, a distinguished statesman, 
author, or soldier. 
A distinguished Protestant writer indeed complained 
not long ago that " Protestantism has no saints." 
//. A'. Oxfnhaut, Short Studies, p. 37. 
-SVJL CfMiratfd, Eminent, etc. (see famous); marked, 
e-in^pieuous, excellent. 
distinguishedly (dis-ting'gwisht-li), adv. In 
a distinguished manner; eminently. Swift. 
distinguisher (dis-ting'gwish-er), . One who 
or that which distinguishes, or separates one 
thing from another by indicating or observing 
differences. 
If writers be just to the memory of Charles II., they 
cannot deny him to have been an exact knower of man- 
kind, and a perfect distinguisher of their talents. 
Dryden, King Arthur, Bed. 
distinguishing (dis-ting'gwish-ing), p. a. Con- 
stituting a difference or distinction; charac- 
teristic; peculiar. 
Innocence of life, and great ability, were the distin- 
auixhing pan - of his character. Steele, Spectator, No. 10!). 
Milton's chief Talent, and indeed h\sdintiii,ntinhin!j Ex- 
cellence, lies in the sublimity of his Thoughts. 
Addison, Spectator, No. 279. 
Distinguishing pennant, a flag used in signaling In a 
squadron of vessels to indicate the special ship to which 
signals are made. 
distinguishingly (dis-ting'gwish-ing-li), adr. 
With distinction; with some mark of prefer- 
ence; markedly. 
Some call me a Tory, because the heads of that party 
have lieen distinyuijihingly favourable to me. Pope.. 
distinguishmentt (dis-ting'gwish-ment), . [< 
distinguish + -nient.] Distinction; observa- 
tion of difference. 
And mannerly distinguish ment leave out 
Betwixt the prince and beggar ! Shale., W. T., ii. 1. 
distitlet (dis-ti'tl), v. t. [< dis- priv. + title.] 
To deprive of title or claim to something. 
[Hare.] 
That were the next way to dix-title myself of honour. 
B. Jotison, Cynthia's Revels, iv. 1. 
Distoma (dis'to-mS,), n. [NL., < Gr. 6laroftof, 
two-mouthed, ^ it-, two-, + aro/ia. mouth.] 1. 
The typical and leading genus of the family Dis- 
tomidos; a genus of trematoid or suctorial para- 
sitic worms, or flukes, of which D. hepattcum, 
the liver-fluke, is the best-known. D. hepaticmn 
is oftenest found in the liver of sheep, in which it causes 
the disease called rot, but it also occurs in man and various 
other animals. In form it is ovate, flattened, and presents 
two suckers (whence the name), of which the anterior is 
perforated by the oral aperture, and the posterior median 
one is approximated to it ; there is a complicated branch- 
ed water- vascular system ; the intestine is branched and 
without an anus. It has been shown that the ciliated 
embryo passes into Idnmanu truncitlatus, and there gives 
rise to a sporocyst which develops red he, which produce 
other redlffi, or cercaria), which are tadpole-like larva; ; 
these after swimming for a time become encysted, as, for 
example, on blades of grass, and in this state are eaten 
by sheep. Numerous species of the genus are described. 
D. tflBMtdtoiL from the veins of man, is now referred 
to the genus Bilharzia. See cut under cercaria. 
2. [/. c.] An animal belonging to this genus. 
The developmental stages of Distoma militare may lie 
summed up as: (1) Ciliated larva, (2) Redia, (3) Cercaria, 
(4) Cercaria. tailless and encysted, or incomplete Dittoinn. 
(5) Perfect Distoma. Huxley, Anat. Invert., p. 181. 
3. Same as Distomus, 1. Sarigny, 1816. 
Distomea (dis -to 'me -a), n. pi. [NL., < Gr. 
(iioro^of, two-mouthed: see Distoma. J A super- 
family group of trematoid worms or flukes. 
They have at most two suckers and no hooks. They de- 
velop by a complicated alternation of generations, the 
larval and asexual forms chiefly inhabiting mollusks 
while the sexually mature individuals live mostly in the 
alimentary canal of vertebrates or its appendages. The 
group includes the families Dtstomidw and M, >,,,*/, >,,,;,l t , 
Dimorphic forms are found in certain species of the 
genera Monostomum and Distomum : . . . one individual 
develops only male sexual organs, the other only female. 
Such Distomea are morphologically hermaphrodite, but 
practically of separate sexes. 
Claw, Zoology (trans.), I. 3-21. 
1695 
Distomea 1 (dis-to'me-e), n.pl. ("NL., < Gr. Kara- 
/"", two-mouthed: see Distoma. j Sameas.7>wto- 
iii' a, regarded as one of two orders of Treniatoda, 
comprising those flukes which have two suck- 
<TS or only one: distinguished from Polystomea: 
Distomidae (dis-torn'i-de), n. pi. [NL., < Dis- 
/mini + -idie.] A family of digeneous trema- 
toid worms or flukes, having two suckers with- 
out hooks, as the liver-flukes. The suckers are ap- 
pi. iMinai ed at one end of the body : reproduction is by an 
.ilt' rnation of generations. The principal genera ore Dis- 
tn,ii anil llilharzia. See cut under cercaria. 
Distomum (dis'to-mum), n. Same as Distoma. 
Distomus (dis'to-mus), n. [NL. : see Distoma.'] 
1 . A genusof ascidians, of the family fiotryllida:, 
w i t h six-rayed anal and branchial orifices. Also 
Distoma. 2. A genus of Coleoptera. Stephens, 
IHL'7. 
distonet, '' Same as distune. Rom. of the Rose. 
distort (dis-tdrt'), v. t. [< L. distortus, pp. of 
distorquere (> It. distorcere, storcere, twist, un- 
twist, = Sp. destorcer = Pg. destorcer, untwist, 
= OF. destordre, desteurtrc, detordre, detortre, 
F. dixtordre, distort), twist different ways, dis- 
tort, < dig-, apart, + torquere, twist: see tort, 
torsion, and cf. contort, detort, extort, etc.] 1. 
To twist or wrest out of shape; alter the shape 
of ; change from the proper to an improper or 
unnatural shape ; represent by an image hav- 
ing a shape somewhat different from nature. 
At last this odious offspring whom thou seeat, 
Thine own begotten, breaking violent way, 
Tore through my entrails, that, with fear and pain 
Distorted, all my nether shape thus grew 
Transform'd. Milton, P. L., H. 784. 
Looking along a hot poker or the boiler of a steamboat, 
we see objects beyond distorted: 1. e., we no longer see 
each point in its true direction. 
r. G. Tail, Encyc. Brit., XIV. 583. 
The low light flung a queer, distorted shadow of him on 
the wall. T. Winthrop, Cecil Dreeme, x. 
Hence 2. To turn away or pervert ; cause to 
give or to receive erroneous views or impres- 
sions; mislead; bias. 
Wrath and malice, envy and revenge do darken and di*- 
'"'' the understandings of men. Tillotmin. 
It views the truth with a distorted eye, 
And either warps or lays it useless by. 
Cowper, Conversation, 1. 6til>. 
We all admit that passion distorts judgment. 
H. Spencer, Social Statics, p. 196. 
3. To wrest from the true meaning ; pervert the 
truth regarding; misrepresent. 
Grievances . . . distorted, magnified. 
Coloured by quarrel into calumny. 
Browning, Ring and Book, I. 72. 
Distorted crystal. See crystal. = 8yn. 1 and 2. To con- 
tort, deform, bend. 3. To misapply, misuse, 
distortt (dis-t6rt'), a. [< L. distortus, pp.: see 
the verb.] Twisted out of shape ; distorted. 
Her face was ugly and her mouth distort. 
,_Spenser, . Q., V. xil. 36. 
distortedly (dis-tdr'ted-li), adv. In a distorted 
manner ; crookedly. 
Men . . . born with silver spoons in their mouths, and 
prone to regard human affairs as reflected in those 
somewhat dUortfdly. II. Spenctr, Social Statics, p. 370. 
distorter (dis-tdr'ter), n. One who or that 
which distorts. 
distortion (dis-tdr'shon), n. [= OF. destorcion, 
F. distortion = It. distorsionc, storsinne, < L. dis- 
tortio(n-), < distorquere, distort: see distort, r.] 
1. The act of distorting, (a) A forcible alteration of 
the shape of a Inxly by twisting or wresting ; the change of 
any shape from the proper or natural one to an improper 
or unnatural one ; the representation of a visible object 
by an image of an altered shape. 
We prove its use 
Sovereign and most effectual to secure 
A form not now gymnastic as of yore, 
From rickets and distortion. Cowjter, The Task, ii. 
(b) In ninth,, any change of shape not involving a breach 
of continuity. But a mere alteration of size in the same 
ratio in all directions is not considered to be a distortion. 
(c) A twisting or writhing motion : as. the facial distor- 
tions of a sufferer. 
2. The state of being twisted out of shape; a 
deviation from the natural or regular shape or 
position ; an unnatural direction of parts, from 
whatever cause. 
More ordinary imperfections and distortions of the body 
in tlgure. Sir H. Wotton, Reliquiro, p. 79. 
In some, Distortions quite the Face disguise. 
Congrevt, tr. of Ovid's Art of Love. 
3. A perversion of the true meaning or intent. 
These absurdities are all framed ... by a childish dis- 
tortion of my words. 
Bp. Wren. Monarchy Asserted (1659), p. 147. 
distortive (dis-tor'tiv), a. [< distort + -tt'e.] 
1. Tending to distort; causing distortions. 
Quarterly ]{cv.2. Having distortions; dis- 
torted. 
distracter 
distortor (dis-tdr'tor), n. ; pi. dlgtortores (dis- 
ti'ir-to'rez). [NL.,< ML. distortor, distorter, < 
L. distorquere, pp. distortus, distort: see dis- 
tort.'] 1. In anat.', that which distorts. Ma- 
tortor Orts, in mini., a muscle of the mouth, so called 
lioui its distorting the mouth, as in rage, grinning, etc.; 
Ilii' /)-"tn:itietls major. 
distourblet, r. /. See distrouble. 
distract (dis-trakf), r. t. [< HE. distracten. < 
ML. distractare, freq. of L. distralicre, pp. awt- 
Ir/iftiw (> OF. destraicr, destraer, dextraher, F. 
distraire = Pr. distraire = Sp. distraer = Pg. 
distrahir = It. distraere, distraggere, distraire, 
straere, strarre =: Dan. distrahcre = Sw. dis- 
trahera), draw asunder, pull in different direc- 
tions, divide, perplex, < dis-, asunder, + traliere, 
draw: see traccj tract. Distraught is an old 
form of the ad], distract, q. v., and is not a 
part of the E. verb.] If. To draw apart; pull 
in different directions and separate ; divide. 
Shak. [Rare.] 2. To turn or draw away from 
any object ; divert from any point toward an- 
other point, or toward various other objects: 
as, to distract a person's attention from his oc- 
cupation. 
If he cannot wholly avoid the eye of the observer, he 
hopes to distract it by a multiplicity of the object. 
South, Sermons. 
3. To cause distraction in ; draw in different 
directions or toward different objects ; confuse 
by diverse or opposing considerations: per- 
plex; bewilder: as, to distract the mind with 
cares. 
They are distractal aa much In opinion as in will. 
Bacon, Political Kables, i., Expl. 
A principle that is but half received does but distract, 
instead of guiding our behaviour. Sterle, Taller, No. 211. 
A thousand external details must lie left out as irrele- 
vant, and only serving to distract and mislead the ob- 
server. J. Caird. 
Multitudes were distracted by doubts, which they sought 
In vain to repress, and which they firmly Iwlieved to lie 
the suggestions of the devil. Leclcy, Rationalism, I. 72. 
4. To disorder the reason of ; derange ; render 
frantic or mad. 
A poor mad soul, . . . poverty hath dintraetrd her. 
Kkak., 2 Hen. IV., ii. 1. 
Let me not see thee more ; something is done 
That will ilixtrnct me, that will make me mad, 
If I behold thee. Beau, and Fl., Philaster, III. 1. 
Time may restore their wits, whom vain ambition 
Hath many years dixtraclfd. 
Ford, Perkin Warheck, v. 2. 
distractt (dis-trakf), a. [< ME. distract (after 
the L.), also distrauht, mod. distraught (after E. 
forms like taught, etc.), also dtxtrat, destret, 
after OF. dcstrait, F. distrait, < L. distractvs, 
distracted, perplexed, pp. of distraliere, draw 
asunder, perplex, etc.: see distract, c.] Dis- 
tracted; frantic; deranged: same &s distraught. 
Thou shall ben so destrat by aspre thinges. 
Chaucer, Rocthius, Hi. prose 8. 
With this she fell distract, 
And, her attendants absent, swallow'd lire. 
Shak., J. C., iv. a. 
When any fall from virtue, 
I am distract ; 1 have an interest in 't. 
Brau. and Fl., Philaster, III. 1. 
distracted (dis-trak'ted), p. a. [Pp. of distract, 
r. ; pquiv. to distract, a.] 1. Perplexed; har- 
assed or bewildered by opposingconsiderations. 
Remember thee ? 
Ay, thou poor ghost, while memory holds a seat 
In this distracted glolic. Shak., Hamlet, i. 4. 
The wicked, who, surprized, 
Lose their defence, distracted and amazed. 
Mill,,,,. S. A., 1. 1286. 
A fraternity acting together with a harmony unprece- 
dented amongst their distracted countrymen of that age. 
De Quincey, Essenes, I. 
2. Disordered in intellect ; deranged ; mad ; 
frantic. 
What both you and all the rest of yon say about that 
matter is but the fniit of distracted brains. 
Banyan, Pilgrim s Progress, p. 204. 
= Syn. 1. Attracted, Diverted, etc. See absent. 
distractedly (ilis-trak'ted-li), adv. In a dis- 
tracted manner; as a distracted person. 
O'er hedge and ditch distractedly they take. 
And happiest he that greatest haste could make. 
Drat/ton, Battle of Agincourt. 
distractedness (dis-trak'ted-nes), n. 1. The 
state of being distracted, harassed, or per- 
plexed in mind; a perplexed condition or state. 
Such experiments as the unfnrnishedness of the place 
and the present distractedttfss of my mind will permit me. 
Boyle, Works, I. 41. 
2. A disordered or deranged condition of the 
mind ; madness. 
distracter (dis-trak'ter), H. One who or that 
which distracts. 
