diff

n. [ L. diffarreatio; dif- = farreum a spelt cake. See Confarreation. ] A form of divorce, among the ancient Romans, in which a cake was used. See Confarreation. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Differed p. pr. & vb. n. Differing. ] [ L. differre; dif- = dis- + ferre to bear, carry: cf. F. différer. See 1st Bear, and cf. Defer, Delay. ] 1. To be or stand apart; to disagree; to be unlike; to be distinguished; -- with from. [ 1913 Webster ]

One star differeth from another star in glory. 1 Cor. xv. 41. [ 1913 Webster ]

Minds differ, as rivers differ. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To be of unlike or opposite opinion; to disagree in sentiment; -- often with from or with. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To have a difference, cause of variance, or quarrel; to dispute; to contend. [ 1913 Webster ]

We 'll never differ with a crowded pit. Rowe.

Syn. -- To vary; disagree; dissent; dispute; contend; oppose; wrangle. -- To Differ with, Differ from. Both differ from and differ with are used in reference to opinions; as, “I differ from you or with you in that opinion.” In all other cases, expressing simple unlikeness, differ from is used; as, these two persons or things differ entirely from each other. [ 1913 Webster ]

Severely punished, not for differing from us in opinion, but for committing a nuisance. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

Davidson, whom on a former occasion we quoted, to differ from him. M. Arnold. [ 1913 Webster ]

Much as I differ from him concerning an essential part of the historic basis of religion. Gladstone. [ 1913 Webster ]

I differ with the honorable gentleman on that point. Brougham. [ 1913 Webster ]

If the honorable gentleman differs with me on that subject, I differ as heartily with him, and shall always rejoice to differ. Canning. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To cause to be different or unlike; to set at variance. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

But something 'ts that differs thee and me. Cowley. [ 1913 Webster ]

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 ]