n. [ F. différence, L. differentia. ] 1. The act of differing; the state or measure of being different or unlike; distinction; dissimilarity; unlikeness; variation; as, a difference of quality in paper; a difference in degrees of heat, or of light; what is the difference between the innocent and the guilty? [ 1913 Webster ]

Differencies of administration, but the same Lord. 1 Cor. xii. 5. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Disagreement in opinion; dissension; controversy; quarrel; hence, cause of dissension; matter in controversy. [ 1913 Webster ]

What was the difference? It was a contention in public. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

Away therefore went I with the constable, leaving the old warden and the young constable to compose their difference as they could. T. Ellwood. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. That by which one thing differs from another; that which distinguishes or causes to differ; mark of distinction; characteristic quality; specific attribute. [ 1913 Webster ]

The marks and differences of sovereignty. Davies. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Choice; preference. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

That now he chooseth with vile difference
To be a beast, and lack intelligence. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. (Her.) An addition to a coat of arms to distinguish the bearings of two persons, which would otherwise be the same. See Augmentation, and Marks of cadency, under Cadency. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. (Logic) The quality or attribute which is added to those of the genus to constitute a species; a differentia. [ 1913 Webster ]

7. (Math.) The quantity by which one quantity differs from another, or the remainder left after subtracting the one from the other. [ 1913 Webster ]

Ascensional difference. See under Ascensional.

Syn. -- Distinction; dissimilarity; dissimilitude; variation; diversity; variety; contrariety; disagreement; variance; contest; contention; dispute; controversy; debate; quarrel; wrangle; strife. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Differenced p. pr. & vb. n. Differencing. ] To cause to differ; to make different; to mark as different; to distinguish. [ 1913 Webster ]

Thou mayest difference gods from men. Chapman. [ 1913 Webster ]

Kings, in receiving justice and undergoing trial, are not differenced from the meanest subject. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

So completely differenced by their separate and individual characters that we at once acknowledge them as distinct persons. Sir W. Scott. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. differens, -entis, p. pr. of differre: cf. F. différent. ] 1. Distinct; separate; not the same; other. “Five different churches.” Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Of various or contrary nature, form, or quality; partially or totally unlike; dissimilar; as, different kinds of food or drink; different states of health; different shapes; different degrees of excellence. [ 1913 Webster ]

Men are as different from each other, as the regions in which they are born are different. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ Different is properly followed by from. Different to, for different from, is a common English colloquialism. Different than is quite inadmissible. [ 1913 Webster ]

n.; pl. Differentiæ [ L. See Difference. ] 1. (Logic) The formal or distinguishing part of the essence of a species, by which it is distinguished from other members of its genus; the characteristic attribute of a species; specific difference; as, a proper definition must have both genus and differentia. [ 1913 Webster +PJC ]

2. the set of characteristics distinguishing an entity from related entities. [ PJC ]

adj. 1. (Math.) possessing a differential coefficient or derivative; -- of a mathematical expression. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

2. capable of being perceived as different; as, differentiable species. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. 1. (Math.) An increment, usually an indefinitely small one, which is given to a variable quantity. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ According to the more modern writers upon the differential and integral calculus, if two or more quantities are dependent on each other, and subject to increments of value, their differentials need not be small, but are any quantities whose ratios to each other are the limits to which the ratios of the increments approximate, as these increments are reduced nearer and nearer to zero. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A small difference in rates which competing railroad lines, in establishing a common tariff, allow one of their number to make, in order to get a fair share of the business. The lower rate is called a differential rate. Differentials are also sometimes granted to cities. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Elec.) (a) One of two coils of conducting wire so related to one another or to a magnet or armature common to both, that one coil produces polar action contrary to that of the other. (b) A form of conductor used for dividing and distributing the current to a series of electric lamps so as to maintain equal action in all. Knight. [ 1913 Webster ]

Partial differential (Math.), the differential of a function of two or more variables, when only one of the variables receives an increment. --
Total differential (Math.), the differential of a function of two or more variables, when each of the variables receives an increment. The total differential of the function is the sum of all the partial differentials. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Cf. F. différentiel. ] 1. Relating to or indicating a difference; creating a difference; discriminating; special; as, differential characteristics; differential duties; a differential rate. [ 1913 Webster ]

For whom he produced differential favors. Motley. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Math.) Of or pertaining to a differential, or to differentials. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Mech.) Relating to differences of motion or leverage; producing effects by such differences; said of mechanism. [ 1913 Webster ]

Differential calculus. (Math.) See under Calculus. --
Differential coefficient, the limit of the ratio of the increment of a function of a variable to the increment of the variable itself, when these increments are made indefinitely small. --
Differential coupling, a form of slip coupling used in light machinery to regulate at pleasure the velocity of the connected shaft. --
Differential duties (Polit. Econ.), duties which are not imposed equally upon the same products imported from different countries. --
Differential galvanometer (Elec.), a galvanometer having two coils or circuits, usually equal, through which currents passing in opposite directions are measured by the difference of their effect upon the needle. --
Differential gearing, a train of toothed wheels, usually an epicyclic train, so arranged as to constitute a differential motion. --
Differential motion, a mechanism in which a simple differential combination produces such a change of motion or force as would, with ordinary compound arrangements, require a considerable train of parts. It is used for overcoming great resistance or producing very slow or very rapid motion. --
Differential pulley. (Mach.) (a) A portable hoisting apparatus, the same in principle as the differential windlass. (b) A hoisting pulley to which power is applied through a differential gearing. --
Differential screw, a compound screw by which a motion is produced equal to the difference of the motions of the component screws. --
Differential thermometer, a thermometer usually with a U-shaped tube terminating in two air bulbs, and containing a colored liquid, used for indicating the difference between the temperatures to which the two bulbs are exposed, by the change of position of the colored fluid, in consequence of the different expansions of the air in the bulbs. A graduated scale is attached to one leg of the tube. --
Differential windlass, or
Chinese windlass, a windlass whose barrel has two parts of different diameters. The hoisting rope winds upon one part as it unwinds from the other, and a pulley sustaining the weight to be lifted hangs in the bight of the rope. It is an ancient example of a differential motion. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In the way of differentiation. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. 1. To distinguish or mark by a specific difference; to effect a difference in, as regards classification; to develop differential characteristics in; to specialize; to desynonymize. [ 1913 Webster ]

The word then was differentiated into the two forms then and than. Earle. [ 1913 Webster ]

Two or more of the forms assumed by the same original word become differentiated in signification. Dr. Murray. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To express the specific difference of; to describe the properties of (a thing) whereby it is differenced from another of the same class; to discriminate. Earle. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Math.) To obtain the differential, or differential coefficient, of; as, to differentiate an algebraic expression, or an equation. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. (Biol.) To acquire a distinct and separate character. Huxley. [ 1913 Webster ]