to be unlike, dissimilar, or distinct in nature or qualities (often followed by from): The two writers differ greatly in their perceptions of the world. Each writer's style differs from that of another.
2.
to disagree in opinion, belief, etc.; be at variance; disagree (often followed by with or from): His business partner always differs with him.
3.
Obsolete. to dispute; quarrel.
Origin: 1325–75; Middle English differren to distinguish < Middle French differer to put off, distinguish, Latin differre to bear apart, put off, delay (see defer1) be different, equivalent to dif-dif- + ferre to bear
late 14c., from O.Fr. diferer, from L. differre "to set apart, differ," from dis- "away from" + ferre "carry" (see infer). Two senses that were present in L. have gone separate ways in Eng. since c.1500 with defer (transitive) and differ (intransitive). Related: Differed; differing.