distinguísse

Distinguísse is the third-person singular preterite indicative form of the Spanish verb distinguir. The verb distinguir generally means to distinguish, to differentiate, to recognize, or to tell apart. Therefore, "distinguísse" translates to "he/she/it distinguished" or "you (formal) distinguished." This verb conjugation is used to describe an action completed in the past. For example, "Él distinguísse el sonido del agua" means "He distinguished the sound of the water." The preterite tense is typically employed for actions that have a clear beginning and end in the past, or for single, completed events. The formal "you" (usted) conjugation in the preterite is also distinguísse, so context is often necessary to determine the subject. The verb distinguir itself derives from the Latin verb distinguere, which carries similar meanings of separating and making clear. Its usage in Spanish is widespread across various contexts, from sensory perception to abstract conceptualization.