Added 9 October 2026
differential
noun
Latin root: differentiālis Wiktionary
noun Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. More about differential at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
- The result of mathematical differentiation; the instantaneous change of one quantity relative to another; df(x)/dx.
- A quality that differentiates between similar things.
- 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.
adjective
-
Relating to or showing a difference.
differential treatment
-
Involving or containing one or more derivatives.
differential equation
Origin
Learned borrowing from Latin differentiālis. By surface analysis, different + -ial.
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)