n. [ See Defame. ] Evil name; bad reputation; defamation. [ Obs. ] Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

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 ]

n. 1. (Math.) An increment, usually an indefinitely small one, which is given to a variable quantity. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ According to the more modern writers upon the differential and integral calculus, if two or more quantities are dependent on each other, and subject to increments of value, their differentials need not be small, but are any quantities whose ratios to each other are the limits to which the ratios of the increments approximate, as these increments are reduced nearer and nearer to zero. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Elec.) (a) 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. (b) 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. Knight. [ 1913 Webster ]

Partial differential (Math.), the differential of a function of two or more variables, when only one of the variables receives an increment. --
Total differential (Math.), the differential of a function of two or more variables, when each of the variables receives an increment. The total differential of the function is the sum of all the partial differentials. [ 1913 Webster ]