differential

/ˌˈdɪfəˌrɛntʃəl/

/dɪfəˈrɛnʃəl/

Other forms: differentials

Things that show a difference or act in different ways can be described as differential. You and your sister may get differential benefits from eating a vegetarian diet.

You're most likely to come across the adjective differential in scholarly or scientific writing — it's really just a more formal way to say "different" or "differing." Sociological studies or articles often describe differential circumstances or outcomes, like the differential effects on various children of being raised with one parent. The Latin differentia is at the root of differential — it means "diversity or difference," and it comes from differre, "to set apart."

Definitions of differential

1. noun

   a quality that differentiates between similar things
   type of:

   difference

   the quality of being unlike or dissimilar
2. noun

   the result of mathematical differentiation; the instantaneous change of one quantity relative to another; df(x)/dx
   synonyms: derivative, derived function, differential coefficient, first derivative

   types:

   curvature

   the rate of change (at a point) of the angle between a curve and a tangent to the curve

   partial, partial derivative

   the derivative of a function of two or more variables with respect to a single variable while the other variables are considered to be constant

   type of:

   calculation, computation, figuring, reckoning

   problem solving that involves numbers or quantities
3. adjective

   relating to or showing a difference
   “differential treatment”
4. adjective

   involving or containing one or more derivatives
   “differential equation”
5. noun

   a bevel gear that permits rotation of two shafts at different speeds; used on the rear axle of automobiles to allow wheels to rotate at different speeds on curves
   synonyms: differential gear

   type of:

   bevel gear, pinion and crown wheel, pinion and ring gear

   gears that mesh at an angle