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differential

   Also found in: Medical, Legal, Financial, Acronyms, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia, Hutchinson 0.02 sec.
dif·fer·en·tial  (df-rnshl)
adj.
1. Of, relating to, or showing a difference.
2. Constituting or making a difference; distinctive.
3. Dependent on or making use of a specific difference or distinction.
4. Mathematics Of or relating to differentiation.
5. Involving differences in speed or direction of motion.
n.
1. Mathematics
a. An infinitesimal increment in a variable.
b. The product of the derivative of a function containing one variable and the increment of the independent variable.
2. Differential gear.
3. A difference between comparable things, as in wage rate or in price.

differ·ential·ly adv.

differential [ˌdɪfəˈrɛnʃəl]
adj
1. of, relating to, or using a difference
2. constituting a difference; distinguishing
3. (Mathematics) Maths of, containing, or involving one or more derivatives or differentials
4. (Physics / General Physics) Physics Engineering relating to, operating on, or based on the difference between two effects, motions, forces, etc. differential amplifier
n
1. a factor that differentiates between two comparable things
2. (Mathematics) Maths
a.  an increment in a given function, expressed as the product of the derivative of that function and the corresponding increment in the independent variable
b.  an increment in a given function of two or more variables, f(x1, x2, …xn), expressed as the sum of the products of each partial derivative and the increment in the corresponding variable.
3. (Engineering / Mechanical Engineering) an epicyclic gear train that permits two shafts to rotate at different speeds while being driven by a third shaft See also differential gear
4. (Business / Industrial Relations & HR Terms) Chiefly Brit the difference between rates of pay for different types of labour, esp when forming a pay structure within an industry
5. (Business / Commerce) a difference in rates, esp between comparable labour services or transportation routes
differentially  adv

differential  (df-rnshl)
1. An infinitesimal increment in a variable.
2. The product of the derivative of a function of one variable and the increment of the independent variable.
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Noun1.differential - the result of mathematical differentiation; the instantaneous change of one quantity relative to another; df(x)/dx
curvature - the rate of change (at a point) of the angle between a curve and a tangent to the curve
figuring, reckoning, calculation, computation - problem solving that involves numbers or quantities
partial, partial derivative - the derivative of a function of two or more variables with respect to a single variable while the other variables are considered to be constant
2.differential - a quality that differentiates between similar things
difference - the quality of being unlike or dissimilar; "there are many differences between jazz and rock"
3.differentialdifferential - a bevel gear that permits rotation of two shafts at different speeds; used on the rear axle of automobiles to allow wheels to rotate at different speeds on curves
Adj.1.differential - relating to or showing a difference; "differential treatment"
2.differential - involving or containing one or more derivatives; "differential equation"
math, mathematics, maths - a science (or group of related sciences) dealing with the logic of quantity and shape and arrangement

differential
noun
difference, gulf, gap, distinction, discrepancy, disparity, divergence, amount of difference Industrial wage differentials widened.
adjective
distinctive, different, contrasting, distinguishing, discriminatory, dissimilar, divergent, discriminative, diacritical They may be forced to eliminate differential voting rights.
Translations
differential [ˌdɪfəˈrenʃəl]
A. ADJ [rate] → diferencial
B. N
1. (esp Brit) (Econ) → diferencial m
see also wage
2. (Math) → diferencial f
C. CPD differential calculus Ncálculo m diferencial
differential equation Necuación f diferencial
differential [ˌdɪfəˈrɛnʃəl] n
(= difference) → différentiel m
(AUTOMOBILES) [car] → différentiel m
differential calculus ncalcul m différentiel
differential
adj (= different) rates of pay, treatment, diagnosis, effectsunterschiedlich; (= distinguishing) featureunterscheidend; differential pricing (Comm) → Preisdiskriminierung f
n
(= difference)Unterschied m(between zwischen); (Math) → Differenzial nt, → Differential nt; wage/salary differentialLohn-/Gehaltsunterschiede or -differenzen pl
(Aut) → Differenzial(getriebe) nt, → Differential(getriebe) nt

differential:
differential calculus
differential coefficient
n (Math) → Ableitung f
differential equations
differential gear
n (Aut) → Differenzial(getriebe) nt, → Differential(getriebe) nt
differential [ˌdɪfəˈrɛnʃl]
1. n (Econ) → scarto salariale (Math, Aut) → differenziale m
2. adjdifferenziale
differential calculus (Math) → calcolo differenziale
differential erosion → erosione f selettiva

differential [ˌdɪfəˈrɛnʃl]
1. n (Econ) → scarto salariale (Math, Aut) → differenziale m
2. adjdifferenziale
differential calculus (Math) → calcolo differenziale
differential erosion → erosione f selettiva


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Only by taking infinitesimally small units for observation (the differential of history, that is, the individual tendencies of men) and attaining to the art of integrating them (that is, finding the sum of these infinitesimals) can we hope to arrive at the laws of history.
"It is a calculation the converse of the differential," replied Barbicane seriously.
A man doesn't want to talk politics to his wife, and what do you think I care for Betty's views upon the Differential Calculus?
 
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