Final answer:
The term that describes a mark of social disgrace distinguishing someone as deviant is 'stigma.' Deviance involves violating societal norms, and being labeled as deviant may lead to stigmatization as well as formal or informal sanctions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The word that best fits the definition a mark of social disgrace that sets the deviant apart from the rest of society is stigma. This term is tightly linked to the concept of deviance, which refers to actions or behaviors that violate societal norms. According to labeling theory, individuals are labeled as deviant, and this label can become a master status overshadowing all other aspects of their identity, leading to societal disapproval or stigma.
Within the context of crime and social norms, informal sanctions such as social stigmatization may occur based on the action's perceived deviance, despite the lack of legal ramifications. This differs from formal sanctions, where punishments are legally enforced as a result of breaking legal codes. Both concepts of informal and formal sanctions play a role in societal reactions to deviant behavior.