differentiate

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   become different during development

   cells differentiate

2. 2
   verb

   To modify so as to create a difference or distinction.

   A humble instance of Ablaut may be quoted which took place in the seventeenth century, when the word then was differentiated into the two forms then and than.

3. 3
   verb

   To show or be the difference or distinction between things.

   What differentiates an alligator from a crocodile?

4. 4
   verb

   To recognize as different or distinct.

   How do you differentiate a fake smile from a genuine one?

5. 5
   verb

   To perceive the difference between things; to discriminate.

   he refused to instruct that actual intent to harm or recklessness had to be found before punitive damages could be awarded, or that a verdict for respondent should differentiate between compensatory and punitive damages.

6. 6
   verb

   To teach a lesson in multiple different ways in order to meet the needs of more or less advanced students.

   Like most teaching, differentiating is a mix of art and science. When it works, "it's like a jazz rhythm," said Carol Tomlinson, an education professor at the University of Virginia and an expert on differentiation.

7. 7
   verb

   To (cause to) go through a process of development called differentiation; to make or become different in form or function.

   In Chapter IV we learned that every animal consists of a body, or soma, formed of cells that are differentiated from the germ cells usually at an early stage of development.

8. 8
   noun

   Something that has been differentiated or stratified.

   There is no discernable tendency, however, for the differentiates to fall into two extremities, as would be expected if they were trending toward distinct eutectics in a residua system.

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *dwóh₁ Proto-Indo-European *d(w)is- Proto-Italic *dis- Latin dis- Proto-Indo-European *bʰer- Proto-Indo-European *bʰéreti Proto-Italic *ferō Latin ferō Latin differō Latin differēns Proto-Indo-European *-yós Proto-Italic *-ios Old Latin -ios Latin -ius Latin -ia Latin differentia New Latin differentiō New Latin differentiātusbor. English differentiate From New Latin differentiātus, perfect passive participle of differentiō (see -ate (verb-forming suffix) and -ate (noun-forming suffix)), from Latin differentia (“difference”); see difference.