The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Distinctive \Dis*tinc"tive\, a. [Cf. F. distinctif.]
   1. Marking or expressing distinction or difference;
      distinguishing; characteristic; peculiar.
      [1913 Webster]

            The distinctive character and institutions of New
            England.                              --Bancroft.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. Having the power to distinguish and discern;
      discriminating. [Obs.] --Sir T. Browne.
      [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

distinctive
    adj 1: of a feature that helps to distinguish a person or thing;
           "Jerusalem has a distinctive Middle East flavor"- Curtis
           Wilkie; "that is typical of you!" [syn: distinctive,
           typical]
    2: capable of being classified [syn: classifiable,
       distinctive]