[dif.fer.en.tial] adj (1647) 1 a: of, relating to, or constituting a difference: distinguishing b: making a distinction between individuals or classes c: based on or resulting from a differential d: functioning or proceeding differently or at a different rate
2: being, relating to, or involving a differential or differentiation 3 a: relating to quantitative differences b: producing effects by reason of quantitative differences -- dif.fer.en.tial.ly adv
[2]differential n (1704) 1 a: the product of the derivative of a function of one variable by the increment of the independent variable b: 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
2: a difference between comparable individuals or classes "a price ~"; also: the amount of such a difference 3 a: differential gear b: a case covering a differential gear