A distinction without a difference is a type of argument where one word or phrase is preferred to another, but results in no difference to the argument as a whole. It is particularly used when a word or phrase has connotations associated with it that one party to an argument prefers to avoid.
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distinction without a difference — noun A linguistic or conceptual distinction which is of no practical importance or which has no effect on meaning; a perceived difference where there is no actual difference. The Active Inquirer is the present name, though when we supported Mr.… … Wiktionary
distinction without a difference — an artificially created distinction where no real difference exists … Useful english dictionary
distinction — distinctionless, adj. /di stingk sheuhn/, n. 1. a marking off or distinguishing as different: His distinction of sounds is excellent. 2. the recognizing or noting of differences; discrimination: to make a distinction between right and wrong. 3. a … Universalium
distinction — noun 1 clear difference ADJECTIVE ▪ critical, crucial, important, key, main, major, vital ▪ basic, essential … Collocations dictionary
distinction — n. 1 a the act or an instance of discriminating or distinguishing. b an instance of this. c the difference made by distinguishing. 2 a something that differentiates, e.g. a mark, name, or title. b the fact of being different. 3 special… … Useful english dictionary
Difference (philosophy) — Difference is a key concept of continental philosophy, denoting the process or set of properties by which one entity is distinguished from another within a relational field or a given conceptual system. In the Western philosophical system,… … Wikipedia
Distinction — Dis*tinc tion, n. [L. distinctio: cf. F. distinction.] 1. A marking off by visible signs; separation into parts; division. [Obs.] [1913 Webster] The distinction of tragedy into acts was not known. Dryden. [1913 Webster] 2. The act of… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
same difference — noun The distinction mentioned makes no difference; the two things distinguished amount to the same thing. Syn: potayto, potahto, six of one, half a dozen of the other, distinction without a difference … Wiktionary
distinction */*/*/ — UK [dɪˈstɪŋkʃ(ə)n] / US noun Word forms distinction : singular distinction plural distinctions 1) [countable] a difference between two things In practice, these distinctions are often blurred (= not made very clear). distinction between: Do other … English dictionary
distinction — dis|tinc|tion [ dı stıŋkʃən ] noun *** 1. ) count a difference between two things: In practice, these distinctions are often blurred (=not made very clear). distinction between: Do other countries have the same distinction between amateur and… … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English
