/ ˌdɪfəˈrenʃl; NAmE / noun , adjective
■ noun
1.
differential (between A and B) a difference in the amount, value or size of sth, especially the difference in rates of pay for people doing different work in the same industry or profession :
wage / pay / income differentials
2.
(also ˌdifferential ˈgear ) a gear that makes it possible for a vehicle's back wheels to turn at different speeds when going around corners
■ adjective
[ only before noun ] ( formal ) showing or depending on a difference; not equal :
the differential treatment of prisoners based on sex and social class
differential rates of pay
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WORD ORIGIN
mid 17th cent.: from medieval Latin differentialis , from Latin differentia differencefrom different- carrying away, from the verb differre , from dis- from, away + ferre bring, carry.