n. [ F. différence, L. differentia. ] 1. The act of differing; the state or measure of being different or unlike; distinction; dissimilarity; unlikeness; variation; as, a difference of quality in paper; a difference in degrees of heat, or of light; what is the difference between the innocent and the guilty? [ 1913 Webster ]

Differencies of administration, but the same Lord. 1 Cor. xii. 5. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Disagreement in opinion; dissension; controversy; quarrel; hence, cause of dissension; matter in controversy. [ 1913 Webster ]

What was the difference? It was a contention in public. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

Away therefore went I with the constable, leaving the old warden and the young constable to compose their difference as they could. T. Ellwood. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. That by which one thing differs from another; that which distinguishes or causes to differ; mark of distinction; characteristic quality; specific attribute. [ 1913 Webster ]

The marks and differences of sovereignty. Davies. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Choice; preference. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

That now he chooseth with vile difference
To be a beast, and lack intelligence. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. (Her.) An addition to a coat of arms to distinguish the bearings of two persons, which would otherwise be the same. See Augmentation, and Marks of cadency, under Cadency. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. (Logic) The quality or attribute which is added to those of the genus to constitute a species; a differentia. [ 1913 Webster ]

7. (Math.) The quantity by which one quantity differs from another, or the remainder left after subtracting the one from the other. [ 1913 Webster ]

Ascensional difference. See under Ascensional.

Syn. -- Distinction; dissimilarity; dissimilitude; variation; diversity; variety; contrariety; disagreement; variance; contest; contention; dispute; controversy; debate; quarrel; wrangle; strife. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Differenced p. pr. & vb. n. Differencing. ] To cause to differ; to make different; to mark as different; to distinguish. [ 1913 Webster ]

Thou mayest difference gods from men. Chapman. [ 1913 Webster ]

Kings, in receiving justice and undergoing trial, are not differenced from the meanest subject. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

So completely differenced by their separate and individual characters that we at once acknowledge them as distinct persons. Sir W. Scott. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. differens, -entis, p. pr. of differre: cf. F. différent. ] 1. Distinct; separate; not the same; other. “Five different churches.” Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Of various or contrary nature, form, or quality; partially or totally unlike; dissimilar; as, different kinds of food or drink; different states of health; different shapes; different degrees of excellence. [ 1913 Webster ]

Men are as different from each other, as the regions in which they are born are different. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ Different is properly followed by from. Different to, for different from, is a common English colloquialism. Different than is quite inadmissible. [ 1913 Webster ]

n.; pl. Differentiæ [ L. See Difference. ] 1. (Logic) The formal or distinguishing part of the essence of a species, by which it is distinguished from other members of its genus; the characteristic attribute of a species; specific difference; as, a proper definition must have both genus and differentia. [ 1913 Webster +PJC ]

2. the set of characteristics distinguishing an entity from related entities. [ PJC ]

adj. 1. (Math.) possessing a differential coefficient or derivative; -- of a mathematical expression. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

2. capable of being perceived as different; as, differentiable species. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. 1. (Math.) An increment, usually an indefinitely small one, which is given to a variable quantity. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ According to the more modern writers upon the differential and integral calculus, if two or more quantities are dependent on each other, and subject to increments of value, their differentials need not be small, but are any quantities whose ratios to each other are the limits to which the ratios of the increments approximate, as these increments are reduced nearer and nearer to zero. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A small difference in rates which competing railroad lines, in establishing a common tariff, allow one of their number to make, in order to get a fair share of the business. The lower rate is called a differential rate. Differentials are also sometimes granted to cities. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Elec.) (a) One of two coils of conducting wire so related to one another or to a magnet or armature common to both, that one coil produces polar action contrary to that of the other. (b) A form of conductor used for dividing and distributing the current to a series of electric lamps so as to maintain equal action in all. Knight. [ 1913 Webster ]

Partial differential (Math.), the differential of a function of two or more variables, when only one of the variables receives an increment. --
Total differential (Math.), the differential of a function of two or more variables, when each of the variables receives an increment. The total differential of the function is the sum of all the partial differentials. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Cf. F. différentiel. ] 1. Relating to or indicating a difference; creating a difference; discriminating; special; as, differential characteristics; differential duties; a differential rate. [ 1913 Webster ]

For whom he produced differential favors. Motley. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Math.) Of or pertaining to a differential, or to differentials. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Mech.) Relating to differences of motion or leverage; producing effects by such differences; said of mechanism. [ 1913 Webster ]

Differential calculus. (Math.) See under Calculus. --
Differential coefficient, the limit of the ratio of the increment of a function of a variable to the increment of the variable itself, when these increments are made indefinitely small. --
Differential coupling, a form of slip coupling used in light machinery to regulate at pleasure the velocity of the connected shaft. --
Differential duties (Polit. Econ.), duties which are not imposed equally upon the same products imported from different countries. --
Differential galvanometer (Elec.), a galvanometer having two coils or circuits, usually equal, through which currents passing in opposite directions are measured by the difference of their effect upon the needle. --
Differential gearing, a train of toothed wheels, usually an epicyclic train, so arranged as to constitute a differential motion. --
Differential motion, a mechanism in which a simple differential combination produces such a change of motion or force as would, with ordinary compound arrangements, require a considerable train of parts. It is used for overcoming great resistance or producing very slow or very rapid motion. --
Differential pulley. (Mach.) (a) A portable hoisting apparatus, the same in principle as the differential windlass. (b) A hoisting pulley to which power is applied through a differential gearing. --
Differential screw, a compound screw by which a motion is produced equal to the difference of the motions of the component screws. --
Differential thermometer, a thermometer usually with a U-shaped tube terminating in two air bulbs, and containing a colored liquid, used for indicating the difference between the temperatures to which the two bulbs are exposed, by the change of position of the colored fluid, in consequence of the different expansions of the air in the bulbs. A graduated scale is attached to one leg of the tube. --
Differential windlass, or
Chinese windlass, a windlass whose barrel has two parts of different diameters. The hoisting rope winds upon one part as it unwinds from the other, and a pulley sustaining the weight to be lifted hangs in the bight of the rope. It is an ancient example of a differential motion. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In the way of differentiation. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. (Biol.) To acquire a distinct and separate character. Huxley. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. 1. To distinguish or mark by a specific difference; to effect a difference in, as regards classification; to develop differential characteristics in; to specialize; to desynonymize. [ 1913 Webster ]

The word then was differentiated into the two forms then and than. Earle. [ 1913 Webster ]

Two or more of the forms assumed by the same original word become differentiated in signification. Dr. Murray. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To express the specific difference of; to describe the properties of (a thing) whereby it is differenced from another of the same class; to discriminate. Earle. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Math.) To obtain the differential, or differential coefficient, of; as, to differentiate an algebraic expression, or an equation. [ 1913 Webster ]

adj. 1. made different (especially in the course of development) or shown to be different; as, the differentiated markings of butterflies; the regionally differentiated results. Opposite of undifferentiated. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

2. (Biol.) exhibiting biological specialization; adapted during development to a specific function or environment; as, differentiated cells. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. 1. The act of differentiating. [ 1913 Webster ]

Further investigation of the Sanskrit may lead to differentiation of the meaning of such of these roots as are real roots. J. Peile. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Logic) The act of distinguishing or describing a thing, by giving its different, or specific difference; exact definition or determination. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Biol.) The gradual formation or production of organs or parts by a process of evolution or development, as when the seed develops the root and the stem, the initial stem develops the leaf, branches, and flower buds; or in animal life, when the germ evolves the digestive and other organs and members, or when the animals as they advance in organization acquire special organs for specific purposes. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. (Metaph.) The supposed act or tendency in being of every kind, whether organic or inorganic, to assume or produce a more complex structure or functions. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who, or that which, differentiates. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In a different manner; variously. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Equi- + different: cf. F. équidifférent. ] Having equal differences; as, the terms of arithmetical progression are equidifferent. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. indifferentia similarity, lack of difference: cf. F. indifférence. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. The quality or state of being indifferent, or not making a difference; lack of sufficient importance to constitute a difference; absence of weight; insignificance. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Passableness; mediocrity. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Impartiality; freedom from prejudice, prepossession, or bias. [ 1913 Webster ]

He . . . is far from such indifference and equity as ought and must be in judges which he saith I assign. Sir T. More. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Absence of anxiety or interest in respect to what is presented to the mind; unconcernedness; as, entire indifference to all that occurs. [ 1913 Webster ]

Indifference can not but be criminal, when it is conversant about objects which are so far from being of an indifferent nature, that they are highest importance. Addison.

Syn. -- Carelessness; negligence; unconcern; apathy; insensibility; coldness; lukewarmness. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Absence of interest in, or influence from, anything; unconcernedness; equilibrium; indifferentism; indifference. Gladstone. [ 1913 Webster ]

To give ourselves to a detestable indifferency or neutrality in this cause. Fuller. [ 1913 Webster ]

Moral liberty . . . does not, after all, consist in a power of indifferency, or in a power of choosing without regard to motives. Hazlitt. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ F. indifférent, L. indifferens. See In- not, and Different. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. Not making a difference; having no influence or preponderating weight; involving no preference, concern, or attention; of no account; without significance or importance. [ 1913 Webster ]

Dangers are to me indifferent. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

Everything in the world is indifferent but sin. Jer. Taylor. [ 1913 Webster ]

His slightest and most indifferent acts . . . were odious in the clergyman's sight. Hawthorne. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Neither particularly good, not very bad; of a middle state or quality; passable; mediocre. [ 1913 Webster ]

The staterooms are in indifferent order. Sir W. Scott. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Not inclined to one side, party, or choice more than to another; neutral; impartial. [ 1913 Webster ]

Indifferent in his choice to sleep or die. Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Feeling no interest, anxiety, or care, respecting anything; unconcerned; inattentive; apathetic; heedless; as, to be indifferent to the welfare of one's family. [ 1913 Webster ]

It was a law of Solon, that any person who, in the civil commotions of the republic, remained neuter, or an indifferent spectator of the contending parties, should be condemned to perpetual banishment. Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. (Law) Free from bias or prejudice; impartial; unbiased; disinterested. [ 1913 Webster ]

In choice of committees for ripening business for the counsel, it is better to choose indifferent persons than to make an indifferency by putting in those that are strong on both sides. Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

Indifferent tissue (Anat.), the primitive, embryonic, undifferentiated tissue, before conversion into connective, muscular, nervous, or other definite tissue. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. To a moderate degree; passably; tolerably. [ Obs. ] “News indifferent good.” Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. F. indifférentisme. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. State of indifference; lack of interest or earnestness; especially, a systematic apathy regarding what is true or false in religion or philosophy; agnosticism. [ 1913 Webster ]

The indifferentism which equalizes all religions and gives equal rights to truth and error. Cardinal Manning. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Metaph.) Same as Identism. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (R. C. Ch.) A heresy consisting in an unconcern for any particular creed, provided the morals be right and good. Gregory XVI. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One governed by indifferentism. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In an indifferent manner; without distinction or preference; impartially; without concern, wish, affection, or aversion; tolerably; passably. [ 1913 Webster ]

That they may truly and indifferently minister justice, to the punishment of wickedness and vice, and to the maintenance of thy true religion, and virtue. Book of Com. Prayer [ Eng. Ed. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Set honor in one eye and death i' the other,
And I will look on both indifferently. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

I hope it may indifferently entertain your lordship at an unbending hour. Rowe. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Not differentiated; specifically (Biol.), homogenous, or nearly so; -- said especially of young or embryonic tissues which have not yet undergone differentiation (see Differentiation, 3), that is, which show no visible separation into their different structural parts. [ 1913 Webster ]

See high.
See honorable.
See hopeful.
See hostile.
See hurt.
See hhurtful.
See hygienic.
See ideal.
See idle.
See illusory.
See imaginable.
See imaginative.
See immortal.
See implicit.
See important.
See impressible. See >Unimpressible.
See impressionable.
See improvable.
See impugnable.
See incidental.
See increasable.
See indifferent.
See indulgent.
See industrious.
See inflammable.
See influential.
See ingenious.
See ingenuous.
See inhabitable.
See injurious.
See inquisitive.
See instructive.
See intelligent.
See intelligible.
See intentional.
See interesting.
See interpretable.
See inventive.
See investigable.
See jealous.
See joyful.
See joyous.
See justifiable.
See kingly.
See knightly.
See knotty.
See knowable.
See laborious.
See ladylike.
See level.
See libidinous.
See lightsome.
See limber.
See lineal.
See logical.
See lordly.
See losable.
See lovable.
See lucent.
See luminous.
See lustrous.
See lusty.
See maidenly.
See makable.
See malleable.
See manageable.
See manful.
See manlike.
See manly.
See marketable.
See marriable.
See marriageable.
See marvelous.
See masculine.
See matchable.
See matronlike.
See meek.
See meet.
See melodious.
See mendable.
See mentionable.
See mercenary.
See merciable.
See meritable.
See merry.
See metaphorical.
See mighty.
See mild.
See military.
See mindful.
See mingleable.
See miraculous.
See miry.
See mitigable.
See modifiable.
See modish.
See moist.
See monkish.
See motherly.
See muscular.
See musical.
See mysterious.
See namable.
See native.
See navigable.
See needful.
See negotiable.
See niggard.
See noble.
See objectionable.
[ 1913 Webster ]

[ 1913 Webster ]

See accommodating.
See aching.
See ailing.
See aiming.
See alarming.
See altering.
See appreciating.
See approving.
See aspiring.
See assisting.
See attempting.
See attending.
See bearing.
See befitting.
See beginning.
See believing.
See bleaching.
See bleeding.
See blemishing.
See blenching.
See blossoming.
See blushing.
See boding.
See branching.
See breathing.
See burning.
See calculating.
See ceasing.
See changing.
See charming.
See communicating.
See complaining.
See complying.
See conceiving.
See conducing.
See confessing.
See conniving.
See consenting.
See considering.
See conspiring.
See consulting.
See consuming.
See contending.
See contriving.
See conversing.
See convincing.
See dawning.
See decaying.
See delaying.
See depending.
See derogating.
See deserving.
See desiring.
See despairing.
See detesting.
See deviating.
See differencing.
See discerning.
See discording.
See discriminating.
See disobliging.
See dispensing.
See dissembling.
See dissolving.
See distinguishing.
See distracting.
See disturbing.
See doubting.
See dreading.
See drooping.
See ebbing.
See echoing.
See edifying.
See ending.
See enduring.
See engaging.
See enjoying.
See entering.
See enterprising.
See entertaining.
See envying.
See existing.
See fadging.
See fading.
See fainting.
See faltering.
See fearing.
See feigning.
See fighting.
See fitting.
See flagging.
See flattering.
See flinching.
See folding.
See forbearing.
See foreboding.
See foreseeing.
See forgiving.
See giving.
See grudging.
See harming.
See heeding.
See hesitating.
See hoping.
See hurting.
See importing.
See imposing.
See improving.
See interesting.
See intermitting.
See intoxicating.
See inviting.
See jarring.
See laboring.
See lingering.
See listening.
See loving.
See meddling.
See meriting.
See mistrusting.
See moving.
See murmuring.
See obliging.
See observing.
See offending.
See opening.
See pardoning.
See paying.
See perceiving.
See performing.
See perishing.
See pitying.
See pleasing.
See possessing.
See preaching.
See prepossessing.
See presuming.
See pretending.
See prevailing.
See prevaricating.
See profiting.
See promising.
See proving.
See quailing.
See questioning.
See reasoning.
See recalling.
See reclining.
See recurring.
See referring.
See reflecting.
See refunding.
See refusing.
See rejoicing.
See relaxing.
See relishing.
See remembering.
See repenting.
See repining.
See reproving.
See repulsing.
See resisting.
See resolving.
See resting.
See returning.
See rewarding.
See sanctifying.
See satisfying.
See searching.
See seeing.
See setting.
See shrinking.
See sinking.
See sleeping.
See slipping.
See slumbering.
See speaking.
See stinting.
See stirring.
See stooping.
See submitting.
See sufficing.
See suiting.
See surging.
See suspecting.
See sweating.
See swerving.
See sympathizing.
See tasting.
See thriving.
See tiring.
See toiling.
See trading.
See trembling.
See trespassing.
See trifling.
See vacillating.
See varying.
See walking.
See wandering.
See waning.
See wasting.
See wavering.
See weeping.
See winking.
See winning.
See withdrawing.
See withering.
See wondering.
See working.
See writing.
See yielding.
----- and the like. [ 1913 Webster ]

The above classes of words are unlimited in extent, and such compounds may be formed by any writer or speaker at will from almost all the adjectives or participles in the language, excepting those which have a recognized and usual negative correspondent with the prefix -in. No attempt will be made, therefore, to define them all in this Dictionary; many will be omitted from its Vocabulary which are negations of the simple word, and are readily explained by prefixing a not to the latter. Derivatives of these words in -ly and -ness will also, for the most part, be omitted for the same or similar reasons. [ 1913 Webster ]

There will be inserted as separate articles with definitions, the following: -- [ 1913 Webster ]

1. Those which have acquired an opposed or contrary, instead of a merely negative, meaning; as, unfriendly, ungraceful, unpalatable, unquiet, and the like; or else an intensive sense more than a prefixed not would express; as, unending, unparalleled, undisciplined, undoubted, unsafe, and the like. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Those which have the value of independent words, inasmuch as the simple words are either not used at all, or are rarely, or at least much less frequently, used; as, unavoidable, unconscionable, undeniable, unspeakable, unprecedented, unruly, and the like; or inasmuch as they are used in a different sense from the usual meaning of the primitive, or especially in one of the significations of the latter; as, unaccountable, unalloyed, unbelieving, unpretending, unreserved, and the like; or inasmuch as they are so frequently and familiarly used that they are hardly felt to be of negative origin; as, uncertain, uneven, and the like. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Those which are anomalous, provincial, or, for some other reason, not desirable to be used, and are so indicated; as, unpure for impure, unsatisfaction for dissatisfaction, unexpressible for inexpressible, and the like. [ 1913 Webster ]

II. Un- is prefixed to nouns to express the absence of, or the contrary of, that which the noun signifies; as, unbelief, unfaith, unhealth, unrest, untruth, and the like. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ Compounds of this last class are given in full in their proper order in the Vocabulary. [ 1913 Webster ]