a. [ L. afferens, p. pr. of afferre; ad + ferre to bear. ] (Physiol.) Bearing or conducting inwards to a part or organ; -- opposed to efferent; as, afferent vessels; afferent nerves, which convey sensations from the external organs to the brain. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n. [ Sp., fr. Ar. al-fārs knight. ] An ensign; a standard bearer. [ Obs. ] J. Fletcher. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ } n. [ Bed + AS. fera a companion. ] A bedfellow. [ Obs. ] Chapman. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. (Chem.) containing a buffer{ 5 }; -- of solutions, usually aqueous solutions. [ PJC ]

n. [ F. calorifère, fr. L. calor heat + ferre to bear. ] An apparatus for conveying and distributing heat, especially by means of hot water circulating in tubes. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who chaffers; a bargainer. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To include in a circular space; to bound. [ Obs. ] Sir T. Browne. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. circumferentia. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. The line that goes round or encompasses a circular figure; a periphery. Millon. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A circle; anything circular. [ 1913 Webster ]

His ponderous shield . . .
Behind him cast. The broad circumference
Hung on his shoulders like the moon. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. The external surface of a sphere, or of any orbicular body. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ LL. circumferentialis. ] Pertaining to the circumference; encompassing; encircling; circuitous. Parkhurst. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. So as to surround or encircle. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ See Circumfer. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. A surveying instrument, for taking horizontal angles and bearings; a surveyor's compass. It consists of a compass whose needle plays over a circle graduated to 360°, and of a horizontal brass bar at the ends of which are standards with narrow slits for sighting, supported on a tripod by a ball and socket joint. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A graduated wheel for measuring tires; a tire circle. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who keeps treasures in a coffer. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. Referee. ] 1. One who is conferred with, or who takes part in a conference; as, the conferees on the part of the Senate. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. One upon whom something is conferred. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. conférence. See Confer. ] 1. The act of comparing two or more things together; comparison. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Helps and furtherances which . . . the mutual conference of all men's collections and observations may afford. Hocker. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The act of consulting together formally; serious conversation or discussion; interchange of views. [ 1913 Webster ]

Nor with such free and friendly conference
As he hath used of old. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. A meeting for consultation, discussion, or an interchange of opinions. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. A meeting of the two branches of a legislature, by their committees, to adjust between them. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. (Methodist Church) A stated meeting of preachers and others, invested with authority to take cognizance of ecclesiastical matters. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. A voluntary association of Congregational churches of a district; the district in which such churches are. [ 1913 Webster ]

Conference meeting, a meeting for conference. Specifically, a meeting conducted (usually) by laymen, for conference and prayer. [ U. S. ] --
Conference room, a room for conference and prayer, and for the pastor's less formal addresses. [ U. S. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Relating to conference. [ R. ] Clarke. [ 1913 Webster ]

adj. (Med.) passing toward the cerebral cortex; -- of nerves and nerve impulses.
Syn. -- corticipetal. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

adj. (Med.) directed from the cerebral cortex; -- of nerves and nerve impulses.
Syn. -- corticofugal, corticifugal. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. One who suffers with another. Wycherley. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. a reference at one place in a work to information at another place in the same work.
Syn. -- cross-index. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. [ F. déférence. See 3d Defer. ] A yielding of judgment or preference from respect to the wishes or opinion of another; submission in opinion; regard; respect; complaisance. [ 1913 Webster ]

Deference to the authority of thoughtful and sagacious men. Whewell. [ 1913 Webster ]

Deference is the most complicate, the most indirect, and the most elegant of all compliments. Shenstone.

Syn. -- Deference, Reverence, Respect. Deference marks an inclination to yield one's opinion, and to acquiesce in the sentiments of another in preference to one's own. Respect marks the estimation that we have for another, which makes us look to him as worthy of high confidence for the qualities of his mind and heart. Reverence denotes a mingling of fear with a high degree of respect and esteem. Age, rank, dignity, and personal merit call for deference; respect should be paid to the wise and good; reverence is due to God, to the authors of our being, and to the sanctity of the laws. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. deferens, p. pr. of deferre. See 3d Defer. ] Serving to carry; bearing. [ R. ] “Bodies deferent.” Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. That which carries or conveys. [ 1913 Webster ]

Though air be the most favorable deferent of sounds. Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Ptolemaic Astron.) An imaginary circle surrounding the earth, in whose periphery either the heavenly body or the center of the heavenly body's epicycle was supposed to be carried round. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ See Deference. ] Expressing deference; accustomed to defer. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. With deference. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. 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 ]

v. i. (Biol.) To acquire a distinct and separate character. Huxley. [ 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. [ L. efferens, -entis, p. pr. of effere to bear out; ex out + ferre to bear. ] (Physiol.) (a) Conveying outward, or discharging; -- applied to certain blood vessels, lymphatics, nerves, etc. (b) Conveyed outward; as, efferent impulses, i. e., such as are conveyed by the motor or efferent nerves from the central nervous organ outwards; -- opposed to afferent. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. An efferent duct or stream. [ 1913 Webster ]

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

n. [ See Fire. ] Fire. [ Obs. ] Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ See Fear. ] Fear. [ Obs. ] Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. & i. To fear. [ Obs. ] Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ OE. fere companion, AS. gefēra, from fēran to go, travel, faran to travel. √78. See Fare. ] A mate or companion; -- often used of a wife. [ Obs. ] [ Written also fear and feere. ] Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

And Cambel took Cambrina to his fere. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

In fere, together; in company. [ Obs. ] Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Cf. L. ferus wild. ] Fierce. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. feretrum bier, Gr. &unr_;, fr. fe`rein to bear, akin to L. ferre, E. bear to support. ] A portable bier or shrine, variously adorned, used for containing relics of saints. Mollett. [ 1913 Webster ]

p. p. & a. [ See For-, and Fear. ] Excessively alarmed; in great fear. [ Obs. ] “Forfered of his death.” Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. an arbitrary set of spatial coordinates used to describe the position or motion of objects. The coordinates may be fixed or moving; as, a rotating frame of reference. [ PJC ]

2. a set of assumptions or conditions that are used to discuss or understand something; as, a religious frame of reference. [ PJC ]

a. [ Corrupted fr. in fere. ] Together. [ Obs. ] Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]