different between differentia vs differential

English

Etymology

From Latin differentia. Doublet of difference.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /d?f????n???/

Noun

differentia (plural differentiae)

1. (semantics, logic, taxonomy) A distinguishing feature which marks a species off from other members of the same genus.
   • 1902, William James, The Varieties of Religious Experience, Folio Society 2008, p. 38:

     That character, it seems to me, should be regarded as the practically important differentia of religion for our purpose.

   • 2017, Kory Stamper, Word By Word, Vintage 2018, p. 116:

     In the case of a word like “surfboard,” the differentiae seem pretty clear. How is this board different from all other boards?

See also

• criterion
• definiendum

Interlingua

Noun

differentia (plural differentias)

1. difference

Latin

Etymology

From differ? (“I am different”).

Pronunciation

• (Classical) IPA^(key): /dif.fe?ren.ti.a/, [d??f?????n?t?iä]
• (Ecclesiastical) IPA^(key): /dif.fe?ren.t?si.a/, [d?if?????nt??s?i?]

Noun

differentia f (genitive differentiae); first declension

1. difference
2. diversity

Declension

First-declension noun.

Descendants

Participle

differentia

1. nominative neuter plural of differ?ns
2. accusative neuter plural of differ?ns
3. vocative neuter plural of differ?ns

References

• differentia in Charlton T. Lewis and Charles Short (1879) A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
• differentia in Charlton T. Lewis (1891) An Elementary Latin Dictionary, New York: Harper & Brothers
• differentia in Charles du Fresne du Cange’s Glossarium Mediæ et Infimæ Latinitatis (augmented edition, 1883–1887)
• differentia in Gaffiot, Félix (1934) Dictionnaire illustré Latin-Français, Hachette

English

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): [d?f????n???]

Adjective

differential (comparative more differential, superlative most differential)

1. of, or relating to a difference

   differential characteristics

   • 1856, John Lothrop Motley, The Rise of the Dutch Republic: A History, Volume 1:

     [Caspar Schetz, Baron of Grobbendonck] was regularly in the pay of Sir Thomas Gresham, to whom he produced differential favours, and by whose government he was rewarded by gold chains and presents of hard cash, bestowed as secretly as the equivalent was conveyed adroitly.

2. dependent on, or making a difference; distinctive
3. having differences in speed or direction of motion
4. (mathematics) of, or relating to differentiation, or the differential calculus

Translations

Noun

differential (plural differentials)

1. the differential gear in an automobile etc
2. a qualitative or quantitative difference between similar or comparable things
3. (mathematics) an infinitesimal change in a variable, or the result of differentiation
4. 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.
5. 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.

   (Can we find and add a quotation of Knight to this entry?)

Derived terms

Translations

Related terms

Swedish

Noun

differential c

1. (mechanics) a differential gear
2. (mathematics) an infinitesimal change
3. (mathematics) the differential operator

Declension