I. (Acc. to distinguo, I. B.)
A. In gen.
1. Subject., a distinguishing, discriminating, a distinction: “harum rerum facilis est et expedita distinctio,” Cic. Fin. 1, 10, 33; so, “facilis ingenui et illiberalis jocis,” id. Off. 1, 29 fin.: “justorum injustorumque (lex),” id. Leg. 2, 5 fin.: “veri a falso,” id. Fin. 1, 19 fin.: “quaestionum,” Quint. 4, 5, 6 et saep.—
2. Object., a difference, distinction: “causarum distinctio ac dissimilitudo,” Cic. Fat. 19; so, “volucrum,” Plin. 10, 11, 13, § 29: “quae distinctio sit inter ea, quae gignantur, et ea, quae sint semper eadem,” Cic. Univ. 8: “nulla in visis distinctio,” id. Ac. 2, 15 fin.; Dig. 47, 2, 44.—Pregn.: “lunae siderumque omnium distinctio, varietas, pulchritudo, ordo,” i. e. the differences in their appearance and motions, Cic. N. D. 2, 5, 15.—
B. In rhet. and gram.
1. A separation, division, in discourse; “and concr.,” a mark of separation, sign of interpunction, Cic. de Or. 3, 48, 186; Quint. 1, 5, 27; Diom. p. 432 P.—
2. A figure of speech, separation, distinction, Cic. de Or. 3, 54, 206; Quint. 9, 3, 65; esp. the contrast of opposing ideas, id. 9, 3, 82; the parting of opposing voices or votes, Plin. Ep. 8, 14, 6. —
II. (Acc. to distinguo, II.) A setting off, garnishing; an ornament: “distinctio honosque civitatis,” Plin. 28, 3, 3, § 13.