differential

• POS: Adjective, Noun
• HYPHEN: dif=fer=en=tial

OXFORD DICTIONARY

differential, adj. & n.
--adj.
1 a of, exhibiting, or depending on a difference. b varying according to circumstances.
2 Math. relating to infinitesimal differences.
3 constituting a specific difference; distinctive; relating to specific differences (differential diagnosis).
4 Physics & Mech. concerning the difference of two or more motions, pressures, etc.
--n.
1 a difference between individuals or examples of the same kind.
2 Brit. a difference in wage or salary between industries or categories of employees in the same industry.
3 a difference between rates of interest etc.
4 Math. a an infinitesimal difference between successive values of a variable. b a function expressing this as a rate of change with respect to another variable.
5 (in full differential gear) a gear allowing a vehicle's driven wheels to revolve at different speeds in cornering.

Idiom

differential calculus Math. a method of calculating rates of change, maximum or minimum values, etc. (cf. INTEGRAL). differential coefficient Math. = DERIVATIVE. differential equation Math. an equation involving differentials among its quantities.

Derivative

differentially adv.

Etymology

med. & mod.L differentialis (as DIFFERENCE)

THESAURUS

differential

Hydromatic, accurate, algorismic, algorithmic, aliquot, appreciative, aroma, attribute, automatic transmission, badge, brand, cachet, cardinal, cast, categorical, character, characteristic, characterizing, classificational, classificatory, cogwheel, configuration, contrastive, critical, cut, decimal, defining, delicacy, delicate, delicate distinction, denominative, diacritical, diagnostic, differencing, differentia, differential gear, differentiative, digital, discriminate, discriminating, discriminative, distinction, distinctive, distinctive feature, distinguishing, divisional, divisionary, earmark, even, exact, exponential, fastidious, feature, figural, figurate, figurative, figure, fine, fine point, finite, flavor, fractional, freewheel, gear, gear train, gearbox, gearing, gearshift, gearwheel, gust, hairline, hallmark, high, idiocrasy, idiosyncrasy, idiosyncratic, imaginary, impair, impossible, impress, impression, index, individualism, individualizing, individuating, infinite, integral, intermediate, irrational, keynote, lineaments, logarithmic, logometric, low, mannerism, margin, mark, marking, mold, narrow margin, nature, negative, neutral, nice, nice distinction, nicety, nuance, numeral, numerary, numerative, numeric, odd, odor, ordinal, overdrive, pair, particle of difference, particular, particularity, peculiar, peculiarity, personalizing, point of difference, positive, possible, precise, prejudiced, prime, property, quality, quirk, rack, radical, rational, real, reciprocal, refined, refinement, reverse, savor, seal, selective, sensitive, separative, shade of difference, shape, singularity, smack, special, specialty, specific, stamp, standard transmission, stick shift, subdivisional, submultiple, subtle, subtle distinction, subtlety, surd, synchromesh, tactful, taint, tang, taste, taxonomic, token, trait, transcendental, transmission, trick, typal, typical, wide margin

ROGET THESAURUS

differential

Number

N number, symbol, numeral, figure, cipher, digit, integer, counter, round number, formula, function, series, sum, difference, complement, subtrahend, product, multiplicand, multiplier, multiplicator, coefficient, multiple, dividend, divisor, factor, quotient, submultiple, fraction, rational number, surd, irrational number, transcendental number, mixed number, complex number, complex conjugate, numerator, denominator, decimal, circulating decimal, repetend, common measure, aliquot part, prime number, prime, relative prime, prime factor, prime pair, reciprocal, totient, binary number, octal number, hexadecimal number, permutation, combination, variation, election, ratio, proportion, comparison, progression, arithmetical progression, geometrical progression, harmonical progression, percentage, permilage, figurate numbers, pyramidal numbers, polygonal numbers, power, root, exponent, index, logarithm, antilogarithm, modulus, base, differential, integral, fluxion, fluent, numeral, complementary, divisible, aliquot, reciprocal, prime, relatively prime, fractional, decimal, figurate, incommensurable, proportional, exponential, logarithmic, logometric, differential, fluxional, integral, totitive, positive, negative, rational, irrational, surd, radical, real, complex, imaginary, finite, infinite, impossible, numerically, modulo, number, symbol, numeral, figure, cipher, digit, integer, counter, round number, formula, function, series, sum, difference, complement, subtrahend, product, multiplicand, multiplier, multiplicator, coefficient, multiple, dividend, divisor, factor, quotient, submultiple, fraction, rational number, surd, irrational number, transcendental number, mixed number, complex number, complex conjugate, numerator, denominator, decimal, circulating decimal, repetend, common measure, aliquot part, prime number, prime, relative prime, prime factor, prime pair, reciprocal, totient, binary number, octal number, hexadecimal number, permutation, combination, variation, election, ratio, proportion, comparison, progression, arithmetical progression, geometrical progression, harmonical progression, percentage, permilage, figurate numbers, pyramidal numbers, polygonal numbers, power, root, exponent, index, logarithm, antilogarithm, modulus, base, differential, integral, fluxion, fluent, numeral, complementary, divisible, aliquot, reciprocal, prime, relatively prime, fractional, decimal, figurate, incommensurable, proportional, exponential, logarithmic, logometric, differential, fluxional, integral, totitive, positive, negative, rational, irrational, surd, radical, real, complex, imaginary, finite, infinite, impossible, numerically, modulo.