I. ˈdifə(r) verb
( differed ; differed ; differing -f(ə)riŋ ; differs )
Etymology: Middle English differen, from Middle French or Latin; Middle French differer to postpone, be different, from Latin differre, from dif- (from dis- ) + ferre to carry — more at bear
intransitive verb
1.
a. : to be unlike or distinct in one or more respects or characteristics
the engines differ greatly in power and endurance
: be unlike in nature or form
details of the two statements differ
— often used with from
the law of one state differs from that of another
b. : to display variety or exist in variety : change from time to time or from one instance or occasion to another : vary
though ingredients differ , the basic process of manufacture remains the same
2. : to be of unlike or opposite opinion : disagree in sentiment
persecution of men who differ on religious matters
— used with with
differs with the army on the use of air power
or sometimes with from
I differ from him concerning an essential part … of religion — W.E.Gladstone
3. archaic : dispute , quarrel
transitive verb
: to make different or unlike : differentiate
something it is that differs thee and me — Abraham Cowley
Synonyms:
vary , disagree , dissent : differ stresses the fact of unlikeness in kind or nature or in opinion, but conveys no implication of degree of difference
the houses differ only in minor details
day differs from day in respect of the importance of the public events they bring forth — C.E.Montague
all business men and economists admit that there are grave defects in the present working of our economic system. But they differ widely in their diagnosis — J.A.Hobson
vary , often interchangeable with differ , may call attention to readily apparent differences and may suggest some range among them
tasks may be varied slightly, as when a worker in a cigarette factory is shifted from the job of packing and weighing — Aldous Huxley
the form of political control varied widely from country to country, and depended both on the traditions of the different states and on their position with respect to the new balance of power — C.E.Black & E.C.Helmreich
the strength and direction of sea currents vary considerably at different times of the year — W.H.Dowdeswell
disagree stresses lack of agreement and may call up notions of incompatibility, unfitness, or disharmony
one can disagree with his views, but one can't refute them — Henry Miller
the authorities disagree about the procedure to be followed in initiating inquiry — F.S.C.Northrop
dissent applies to difference of opinion between persons ranging from withholding of assent to strong or formal expression
we may all agree that a world auxiliary language would help. The cynical opinion, which dissents and says that the less we understand one another the better, will not be considered here — I.A.Richards
he dissented vigorously from and refused to sign the award — Americana Annual
II. noun
( -s )
Etymology: by shortening
dialect : difference