Lewis & Short

distinctĭo, ōnis, f. [distinguo].

  1. I. (Acc. to distinguo, I. B.)
    1. A. In gen.
      1. 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. 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.
    2. B. In rhet. and gram.
      1. 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. 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.
  2. II. (Acc. to distinguo, II.) A setting off, garnishing; an ornament: distinctio honosque civitatis, Plin. 28, 3, 3, § 13.