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differential

 - 7 dictionary results
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dif⋅fer⋅en⋅tial

  [dif-uh-ren-shuhl]
–adjective
1. of or pertaining to difference or diversity.
2. 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.
9. Commerce.
a. the difference involved in a differential rate.
b. differential rate.
10. Physics. the quantitative difference between two or more forces, motions, etc.: a pressure differential.
Use differential in a Sentence
Origin:
1640–50; < ML differentiālis, equiv. to differenti(a) difference + ālis -al

Related forms:
dif⋅fer⋅en⋅tial⋅ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2010.
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dif·fer·en·tial   (dĭf'ə-rěn'shəl)   
adj.  

  1. Of, relating to, or showing a difference.

  2. Constituting or making a difference; distinctive.

  3. Dependent on or making use of a specific difference or distinction.

  4. Mathematics Of or relating to differentiation.

  5. Involving differences in speed or direction of motion.

n.  

  1. Mathematics

    1. An infinitesimal increment in a variable.

    2. The product of the derivative of a function containing one variable and the increment of the independent variable.

  2. Differential gear.

  3. A difference between comparable things, as in wage rate or in price.

dif'fer·en'tial·ly adv.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Slang Dictionary
differential

  1. n.
    the buttocks; the rear (end). (From the name of the device that joins the axle to the driveshaft in motorized vehicles.) : You're walking like there's something wrong with your differential.
Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions by Richard A. Spears.Fourth Edition.
Copyright 2007. Published by McGraw Hill.
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Financial Dictionary

Differential

The amount of adjustment of the delivery location and grade of deliverables that a futures contract permits. Also known as "allowance. "

Investopedia Commentary

Some futures contracts allow the short position to adjust the location of the delivery and/or the grade of commodity being delivered. The permitted differentials are set in relation to a central location or the par basis grade.

Related Links

Futures Fundamentals

See also: Actual, Approved Delivery Facility, Basis Grade, Certificated Stock, Delivery Instrument

Investopedia.com. Copyright © 1999-2005 - All rights reserved. Owned and Operated by Investopedia Inc.
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differential

  1. In commodities trading, the premium or discount in the futures contract price caused by delivering a commodity that does not exactly meet the standards fixed by the exchange. Allowances for these differentials are included in the contract specifications.

  2. See odd-lot differential.


Wall Street Words: An A to Z Guide to Investment Terms by David L. Scott.
Copyright © 2003. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: dif·fer·en·tial
Pronunciation: "dif-&-'ren-ch&l
Function: adjective
1 : of, relating to, or constituting adifference <differential birth rates in different economic levels>
2 : making a distinction between individuals or classes <differential cell counts><differential staining> —dif·fer·en·tial·ly /-'rench-(&-)lE/ adverb
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Science Dictionary
differential   (dĭf'ə-rěn'shəl)  Pronunciation Key 

  1. An infinitesimal increment in a variable.

  2. The product of the derivative of a function of one variable and the increment of the independent variable.


The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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