redifferentiationn.
/ˌriːdɪfərɛnʃɪˈeɪʃn/, U.S. /ˌridɪfəˌrɛn(t)ʃiˈeɪʃ(ə)n/ 1. Biology. The process of becoming specialized again following a loss of differentiation.
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1867 H. Spencer Princ. Biol. II. iv. vi. 284 There will naturally arise just that re-differentiation which the Hydra shows us.
1888 J. Le Conte Evol. & Relation Relig. Thought i. i. 21 Redifferentiation takes place in all other systems.
1921 Discovery Feb. 28/2 Such a process, which we may style dedifferentiation followed by redifferentiation, is clear evidence of the possibility of reversing development.
1992 M. Ingrouille Diversity & Evol. Land Plants 47 Differentiated cells, destined to become meristematic, at first go through a process of redifferentiation.
2007 Life Sci. Weekly (Nexis) 30 Jan. 706 Studies of islet neogenesis have suggested that the regeneration of islet cells can be achieved through redifferentiation of pre-existing islet cells.
2. Mathematics. The differentiation of a derivative of a function; (also) differentiation that reverses a previous integration. rare.
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1890 Cent. Dict. Redifferentiation, the differentiation of a result of differentiation.
1998 M. Steiner Applicability Math. as Philos. Probl. vi. 169 Whenever we integrate a function, we introduce an arbitrary ‘integration constant’, which disappears upon redifferentiation.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2009; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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