I. ˌdifəˈrenchēˌāt sometimes -n(t)sē-; usu -ād.+V verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: probably from (assumed) New Latin differentiatus, past participle of (assumed) New Latin differentiare, from Latin differentia difference — more at difference
transitive verb
1. : to form the derivative of
2. : to make different : mark or show a difference in
possible to differentiate lava flows of similar color but of different ages and to differentiate certain lake sediments from lava flows — R.G.Ray & W.A.Fischer
3. : to effect a difference in as regards classification : develop differential characteristics in
what differentiated a laborer from another man? — Sherwood Anderson
4. : to cause differentiation of in the course of development
in the olive the flower parts are differentiated … in the spring — H.T.Hartmann
5. : to express the specific difference of : discriminate
differentiate prose and poetry
6. : to cause differentiation of staining in (a specimen for microscopic examination)
intransitive verb
1. : to recognize a difference
unable to differentiate even between the narrowest ellipse and the circle — R.S.Woodworth
2. : to become distinct or different in character : develop differences
3. : to undergo differentiation
Synonyms: see distinguish
II. -ēə̇t noun
( -s )
: a differentiation rock