[dif.fer.en.ti.a.tion] n (1802) 1: the act or process of differentiating
2: development from the one to the many, the simple to the complex, or the homogeneous to the heterogeneous 3 a: modification of body parts for performance of particular functions b: the sum of the processes whereby apparently indifferent cells, tissues, and structures attain their adult form and function
4: the processes by which various rock types are produced from a common magma