constituting a difference; distinguishing; distinctive: a differential feature.
3.
exhibiting or depending upon a difference or distinction.
4.
Physics,Machinery. pertaining to or involving the difference of two or more motions, forces, etc.
5.
Mathematics. pertaining to or involving a derivative or derivatives.
–noun
6.
a difference or the amount of difference, as in rate, cost, quantity, degree, or quality, between things that are comparable.
7.
Also called differential gear.Machinery. an epicyclic train of gears designed to permit two or more shafts to rotate at different speeds, as a set of gears in an automobile permitting the rear wheels to be driven at different speeds when the car is turning.
8.
Mathematics.
a.
a function of two variables that is obtained from a given function, y = f(x), and that expresses the approximate increment in the given function as the derivative of the function times the increment in the independent variable, written as dy = f'(x)dx.
b.
any generalization of this function to higher dimensions.
relating to or showing a difference; "differential treatment"
2.
involving or containing one or more derivatives; "differential equation"
noun
1.
the result of mathematical differentiation; the instantaneous change of one quantity relative to another; df(x)/dx [syn: derived function]
2.
a quality that differentiates between similar things
3.
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 [syn: differential gear]
De*riv"a*tive\, n. 1. That which is derived; anything obtained or deduced from another. 2. (Gram.) A word formed from another word, by a prefix or suffix, an internal modification, or some other change; a word which takes its origin from a root. 3. (Mus.) A chord, not fundamental, but obtained from another by inversion; or, vice versa, a ground tone or root implied in its harmonics in an actual chord. 4. (Med.) An agent which is adapted to produce a derivation (in the medical sense). 5. (Math.) A derived function; a function obtained from a given function by a certain algebraic process. Note: Except in the mode of derivation the derivative is the same as the differential coefficient. See Differential coefficient, under Differential. 6. (Chem.) A substance so related to another substance by modification or partial substitution as to be regarded as derived from it; thus, the amido compounds are derivatives of ammonia, and the hydrocarbons are derivatives of methane, benzene, etc.
Dif`fer*en"tial\, a. [Cf. F. diff['e]rentiel.]1. Relating to or indicating a difference; creating a difference; discriminating; special; as, differential characteristics; differential duties; a differential rate. For whom he produced differential favors. --Motley. 2. (Math.) Of or pertaining to a differential, or to differentials. 3. (Mech.) Relating to differences of motion or leverage; producing effects by such differences; said of mechanism. 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.
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