Webster's English Dictionary

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differential

1. dif.fer.en.tial \.dif-*-'ren-ch*l\ \-'rench-(*-)le-\ aj 1a: of, relating 
   to, or constituting a difference : DISTINGUISHING  1b: making a distinction 
   between individuals or classes  1c: based upon or resulting from a 
   differential  1d: functioning or proceeding differently or at a different 
   rate  2: relating to or involving a differential or differentiation  3a: 
   relating to quantitative differences  3b: producing effects by reason of 
   such differences  - dif.fer.en.tial.ly av
2. differential n 1a: the product of the derivative of a function of one 
   variable by the incr ement of the independent variable 1b: the sum of the 
   products of each partial derivative of a function of sev eral variables by 
   the arbitrary increments of the corresponding variables 2a: the difference 
   between transportation rates over different routes allow ed to carriers to 
   equalize traffic distribution 2b: an amount added to or deducted from a 
   transportation rate  3: a difference in wage rates reflecting differences 
   in working conditions,  worker status, or job standards 4: the amount or 
   degree by which comparable individuals or classes differ