a1382 [implied in: Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(1)) (1850) Ecclus. i. 2 The grauel of the se, and the dropis of reyn, and the daȝes of the world, who distinctli hath noumbrede? (at distinctly adv. 1)].

1447 O. Bokenham Lyvys Seyntys (1835) 149 That yche of these thyngys..To a dystynct persone appropryat be.

1540 Act 32 Hen. VIII c. 42 Twoo severall and distynct companyes..that is to say, both the Barbours and the Surgeons.

1665 R. Hooke Micrographia 166 A large Feather..contains neer a million of distinct parts.

1796 W. Withering Arrangem. Brit. Plants (ed. 3) II. 329 Tamus. Flowers m[ale] and f[emale] on distinct plants.

1838 C. Thirlwall Hist. Greece (new ed.) IV. xxxii. 276 [The indictment] charged him with three distinct offences.

1885 F. Temple Relations Relig. & Sci. ii. 38 Absolute as distinct from relative knowledge.

1703 Clarendon's Hist. Rebellion II. viii. 373 The Intention was, that the two Armies, which marched out together, should afterward be distinct.

1733 A. Pope Ess. Man iii. 229 The Workman from the Work distinct was known.

1815 J. Smith Panorama Sci. & Art II. 699 If the first mark be erroneous, a second may be drawn at the distance of a hair's breadth from it, and still be a distinct line.

1888 J. Bryce Amer. Commonw. II. xlii. 113 To engraft a system of equity on her common law, whilst keeping the two systems distinct.

1789 A. Crawford in Med. Communications 2 325 The smallpox..was of the distinct kind.

1801 R. Thomas Mod. Pract. Physic I. 167 [Smallpox] is distinguished into the distinct and confluent..in the former the eruptions are perfectly separate from each other.

1382 [implied in: Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) Neh. viii. 8 And thei radden in the boc of the lawe distinctli and apertli to vnderstonde. (at distinctly adv. 2)].

1398 [implied in: J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomew de Glanville De Proprietatibus Rerum (1495) iii. xvii. 62 Though a thinge be ryght tofore the eye, yf it be to ferre therfrom, it is not dystynctly knowe. (at distinctly adv. 2)].

a1535 T. More Hist. Richard III in Wks. (1557) 64/2 The voyce was neyther loude nor distincke.

1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost ix. 812 To see from thence distinct Each thing on Earth. View more context for this quotation

1785 W. Cowper Task iv. 162 The clear voice, symphonious yet distinct.

1813 W. Scott Bridal of Triermain iii. Introd. ii. 120 Distinct the shaggy mountains lie, Distinct the rocks, distinct the sky.

1827 J. Keble Christian Year II. lix. 33 God's chariot-wheels have left distinctest trace.

1856 B. Brodie Psychol. Inq. (ed. 3) I. ii. 35 The transparency of the atmosphere renders distant objects unusually distinct.

1609 W. Shakespeare Troilus & Cressida iv. vii. 129 That I may giue the locall wound a name, And make distinct the very breach, whereout Hectors great spirit flew. View more context for this quotation

1668 J. Howe Blessedness of Righteous Disc. (1825) 72 This somewhat distincter account of it.

1752 S. Johnson Rambler No. 208. ⁋11 When common words were..less distinct in their signification.

1860 J. Tyndall Glaciers of Alps ii. xix. 328 The distinct expression of thoughts and convictions which had long been entertained.

1891 Law Times Rep. 63 690/2 The defendant..had given distinct orders to Nunney never to lock anyone up.

1828 T. B. Macaulay Hallam's Constit. Hist. in Edinb. Rev. Sept. 154 An act, not only of private treachery, but of distinct military desertion.

1871 E. A. Freeman Hist. Norman Conquest IV. xviii. 229 Who..would have a claim to a distinct preference at the next vacancy of the throne.

1873 W. Black Princess of Thule vi. 91 A most distinct dislike to Gaelic songs.

1887 Punch 19 Mar. 137/2 He is a distinct loss to the stage.

1892 W. Minto in Bookman Nov. 57/1 His volume is a distinct enrichment of our literature.

1654 Z. Coke Art of Logick 5 The distinct knowledge of God is paramount the reach of the understanding, there being nothing in God diverse from God, or what is not God himself...God..is conceivable only..by himself.

1697 Locke Let. to Stillingfleet in H. R. F. Bourne Life J. Locke (1876) II. xiv. 426 If your lordship has any better and distincter idea of substance than mine is.

1833 N. Arnott Elements Physics (ed. 5) II. i. 225 The point of distinct vision is distinguishable from the retina around by being more transparent.

1892 W. B. Scott Autobiogr. Notes I. 3 The distincter memory of middle life.

1606 Bp. J. Hall Heauen vpon Earth 133 A distinct and curious head shall finde an hard taske to define in what point the goodnes thereof consisteth.

1756 J. Warton Ess. on Pope I. iii. 118 Men of dry distinct heads, cool imaginations, and keen application.