DIFFERENCE

I. noun Date: 14th century 1. the quality or state of being different , an instance of differing in nature, form, or quality , a characteristic that distinguishes one from another or from the average, the element or factor that separates or distinguishes contrasting situations, distinction or discrimination in preference , 3. disagreement in opinion ; dissension , an instance or cause of disagreement , the degree or amount by which things differ in quantity or measure, a significant change in or effect on a situation , II. transitive verb (-enced; -encing) Date: 1576 differentiate , distinguish