DISTINGUISH

distinguish,vb.1.  To  note  a  significant  factual,  procedural,  or  legal  difference  in  (an  earlier

case), usu. to minimize the case’s precedential effect or to show that it is inapplicable <the lawyer

distinguished the cited case from the case at bar>.

“In practice, courts do not concede to their predecessors the power of laying down very wide

rules;  they  reserve  to  themselves  the  power  to  narrow  such  rules  by  introducing  into  them

particular  facts  of  the  precedent  case  that  were  treated  by  the  earlier  court  as  irrelevant.  This process is known as ‘distinguishing.’ ” John Salmond, Jurisprudence 192 (Glanville L. Williams

ed., 10th ed. 1947).

2. To make a distinction <the court distinguished between willful and reckless conduct>. —

distinction,n. [Blacks Law 8th]