…the quality of being particularly good or worthy, especially so as to deserve praise or reward…
…a commodity or service, such as education, that is regarded by society or government as deserving public finance…
…(in the UK) an order founded in 1902, for distinguished achievement, with membership limited to twenty-four people…
…a numerical expression taken as representing the performance or efficiency of a given device, material, or procedure…
…a US military decoration, ranking below the Silver Star and above the Distinguished Flying Cross, awarded for exceptional performance of services to the US…
