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dif·fer·en·tial

(dĭf′ə-rĕnshəl)

adj.

1. Of, relating to, or showing a difference.

2. Constituting or making a difference; distinctive.

3. Dependent on or making use of a specific difference or distinction.

4. Mathematics Of or relating to differentiation.

5. Involving differences in speed or direction of motion.

1. Mathematics

a. An infinitesimal increment in a variable.

b. The product of the derivative of a function of one variable and the increment of the independent variable.

2. A differential gear.

3. A difference between comparable things, as in wage rate or in price.

dif′fer·ential·ly adv.

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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