diffˈerence or (archaic) diffˈerency noun

1. Dissimilarity
2. The quality distinguishing one thing from another
3. A contention or quarrel
4. The point in dispute
5. The excess of one quantity or number over another
6. Differentia
7. A distinguishing mark
8. A modification to distinguish the arms of a branch from those of the main line (heraldry)
9. Discrimination

To make or perceive a difference between or in

diffˈerent adjective

1. Distinct
2. Separate
3. Unlike
4. Not the same (with from, also with to and (esp US) than)
5. Out of the ordinary (informal)
6. Novel

differentia /-enˈshi-ə/ noun (pl differenˈtiae /-ē/) (Latin; logic)

That property which distinguishes a species from others

differentiabilˈity noun

differenˈtiable adjective

Able to be differentiated

differenˈtial /-shəl/ adjective

1. Constituting or relating to a difference or differentia
2. Discriminating
3. Relating to infinitesimal differences (mathematics)

1. An infinitesimal difference (mathematics)
2. A differential gear
3. A price difference
4. The difference between rates of pay set for each category of employees within an industry
5. The difference in rates of pay between different industries

differenˈtially adverb

differentiate /-enˈshi-āt/ transitive verb

1. To make different, cause to develop difference(s)
2. To classify as different
3. To constitute a difference between
4. To obtain the differential coefficient of (mathematics)

1. To become different by specialization
2. To distinguish (from or between)

differentiāˈtion noun

1. The act of distinguishing
2. Description of a thing by giving its differentia (logic)
3. Exact definition
4. A change by which what was generalized or homogeneous became specialized or heterogeneous
5. The act or process of differentiating, or determining the ratio of the rates of change of two quantities, one of which is a function of the other (mathematics)

differenˈtiātor noun

Someone who or that which differentiates

diffˈerently adverb

difference tone or differential tone noun

A tone heard when two tones are sounded together, its frequency the difference of their frequencies

differential calculus see under calculus

differential coefficient noun (mathematics)

The ratio of the rate of change of a function to that of its independent variable

differential equation noun (mathematics)

One involving total or partial differential coefficients

differential gear noun

A gear enabling one driving wheel of a vehicle to move faster than another, eg when cornering

differential motion noun

A mechanical movement in which the velocity of a driven part is equal to the difference of the velocities of two parts connected to it

differential pricing noun

Pricing in which the same product is supplied to different markets at different prices according to their tolerance

differential thermometer noun

A thermometer for measuring difference of temperature

differential tone see difference tone above.

differently abled adjective (euphemistic)

Disabled

agree to differ

To agree to accept amicably a difference of opinion without further argument

difference of opinion

A matter about which two or more people or groups disagree

make a (or no) difference

To have (no) effect

with a difference

1. With something special
2. In a special way