Distinctio

Distinctio, from Latin distinctio meaning “a separating” or “distinction,” is a rhetorical device used to clarify the meaning of a word or term to avert ambiguity. It involves explaining the scope and limits of a term, often by contrasting it with related terms or by enumerating its different senses.

In classical rhetoric, distinctio is a common technique in argumentation and exposition. Treatises by Cicero, Quintilian, and other Latin writers describe it as a way to prevent misinterpretation by precisely defining terms before proceeding with argument. It is also used to anticipate objections by highlighting different readings of a key term and then specifying which sense applies.

Techniques include listing distinct senses of a word, drawing contrasts with near-synonyms, and setting boundary conditions. A typical formulation begins with “By X I mean A, not B or C,” or “X here refers to Y, whereas Z concerns something else.” This helps control scope and reduce ambiguity in legal, philosophical, or rhetorical contexts.

In modern practice, distinctio appears in debate, persuasive writing, and scholastic analysis. It is closely related to definition and exposition and is often treated as a form of explicatio—defining terms to ensure precise argumentation.

Example: “By liberty I mean freedom from coercion, not license to do whatever one wishes.” This distinctio clarifies which sense of liberty applies in the discussion of rights.