DIFFERENTIAL

I. adjective Date: 1647 1. of, relating to, or constituting a difference ; distinguishing, making a distinction between individuals or classes, based on or resulting from a ~, functioning or proceeding differently or at a different rate, being, relating to, or involving a ~ or differentiation, 3. relating to quantitative differences, producing effects by reason of quantitative differences, ~ly adverb II. noun Date: 1704 1. the product of the derivative of a function of one variable by the increment of the independent variable, a sum of products in which each product consists of a partial derivative of a given function of several variables multiplied by the corresponding increment and which contains as many products as there are independent variables in the function, a difference between comparable individuals or classes , 3. a drivetrain gear assembly connecting two collinear shafts or axles (as those of the rear wheels of an automobile) and permitting one shaft to revolve faster than the other, a case covering such an assembly