The formal or distinguishing part of the essence of a species; the characteristic attribute of a species; specific difference.
Word of the Day: Catachrestical
of Differentia
An epithet applied to an infinitely small quantity, so small as to be less than any assignable quantity. This is called a differential quantity. The differential method is applied to the doctrine of infinitesimals, or infinitely small quantities, called the arithmetic of fluxions. It consists in descending from whole quantities to their infinitely small differences, and comparing them. Hence it is called the differential calculus, or analysis of infinitesimals.
1. Relating to or indicating a difference; creating a difference; discriminating; special; as, differential characteristics; differential duties; a differential rate.
2. Of or pertaining to a differential, or to differentials.
3. Relating to differences of motion or leverage; producing effects by such differences; said of mechanism.
1. An increment, usually an indefinitely small one, which is given to a variable quantity.
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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
Differential calculus
Encyclopedia Britannica
DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS. See Infinitesimal Calculus.
9th ed. Encyclopædia Britannica, vol. 7, p. 214
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In the way of differentiation.
To acquire a distinct and separate character.
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.
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.
3. To obtain the differential, or differential coefficient, of; as, to differentiate an algebraic expression, or an equation.
1. The act of differentiating.
2. The act of distinguishing or describing a thing, by giving its different, or specific difference; exact definition or determination.
3. The gradual formation or production of organs or parts by a process of evolution or development, as when the seed develops the root and the stem, the initial stem develops the leaf, branches, and flower buds; or in animal life, when the germ evolves the digestive and other organs and members, or when the animals as they advance in organization acquire special organs for specific purposes.
4. The supposed act or tendency in being of every kind, whether organic or inorganic, to assume or produce a more complex structure or functions.
One who, or that which, differentiates.
Difference Roget’s Thesaurus §15
N. difference, variance, variation, variety, diversity, dissimilarity, disagreement, disparity, distinction, contradistinction, alteration, modification, permutation, moods and tenses, nice distinction, fine distinction, delicate distinction, subtle distinction, shade of difference, nuance, discrimination, differentia, different thing, something else, apple off another tree, another pair of shoes, horse of a different color, this that or the other
V. be different, differ, vary, ablude|, mismatch, contrast, divaricate, differ toto coelo, differ longo intervallo, vary, modify, discriminate
Adj. differing, different, diverse, heterogeneous, multifarious, polyglot, distinguishable, dissimilar, varied, modified, diversified, various, divers, all manner of, all kinds of, variform, daedal, other, another, not the same, unequal, unmatched, widely apart, poles apart, distinctive, characteristic, discriminative, distinguishing, incommensurable, incommensurate
Adv. differently
Phr. il y a fagots et fagots, 2, continuous relation
Speciality Roget’s Thesaurus §79
N. {opp. 78} speciality, specialite, individuality, individuity|, particularity, peculiarity, idiocrasy, personality, characteristic, mannerism, idiosyncrasy, specificness, singularity, reading, version, lection, state, trait, distinctive feature, technicality, differentia, particulars, details, items, counts, minutiae, i, self, i myself, myself, himself, herself, itself
V. specify, particularize, individualize, realize, specialize, designate, determine, denote, indicate, point out, select, descend to particulars, enter into detail, go into detail, come to the point
Adj. special, particular, individual, specific, proper, personal, original, private, respective, definite, determinate, especial, certain, esoteric, endemic, partial, party, peculiar, appropriate, several, characteristic, diagnostic, exclusive, singular, idiomatic, idiotypical, typical, this, that, yon, yonder
Adv. specially, especially, particularly, in particular, in propria persona, ad hominem, for my part, each, apiece, one by one, one at a time, severally, respectively, each to each, seriatim, in detail, in great detail, in excruciating detail, in mind-numbing detail, bit by bit, pro hac vice, pro re nata, namely, that is to say, for example, id est, exemplia gratia, e.g, i.e, videlicet, viz, to wit
Phr. le style est l'homme meme, 5, order as regards categories
No Bible verses found for "Differentia".