(semantics, logic, taxonomy) A distinguishing feature which marks a species off from other members of the same genus.

plural of differentia

The act of treating one thing as distinct from another, or of creating such a distinction; of separating a class of things into categories; of describing a thing by illustrating how it is different from something else.

(calculus) The calculus that deals with instantaneous rates of change.

growth medium that allows two or more organisms to be distinguished from one another by some parameter, such as growth vs. no-growth, distinguishing colors, distinguishing morphologies, etc.

A bifurcation of the meaning along with time into two separate meanings of two separate resulting expressions. / A diachronic differentiation or change in meaning.

An arrangement of bevel gears permitting the rotation of two shafts at two different speeds whilst supplying the same torque; used on the drive axles or between the driven wheels of automobiles to aid cornering.

Of or pertaining to a difference. / Dependent on, or making a difference; distinctive. / Having differences in speed or direction of motion.

The differential gear in an automobile, etc. / A qualitative or quantitative difference between similar or comparable things.

(transitive) To show, or be the distinction between two things. / (intransitive) To perceive the difference between things; to discriminate. / (transitive, intransitive) To modify, or be modified.