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differentiate

 - 3 dictionary results

dif⋅fer⋅en⋅ti⋅ate

  [dif-uh-ren-shee-eyt] verb, -at⋅ed, -at⋅ing.
Use differentiate in a Sentence
–verb (used with object)
1. to form or mark differently from other such things; distinguish.
2. to change; alter.
3. to perceive the difference in or between.
4. to make different by modification, as a biological species.
5. Mathematics. to obtain the differential or the derivative of.
–verb (used without object)
6. to become unlike or dissimilar; change in character.
7. to make a distinction.
8. Biology. (of cells or tissues) to change from relatively generalized to specialized kinds, during development.
Origin:
1810–20; < ML differentiātus distinguished (ptp. of differentiāre), equiv. to L different(ia) difference + -ātus -ate 1

Synonyms:
1. set off. See distinguish. 3. separate.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To differentiate
dif·fer·en·ti·ate   (dĭf'ə-rěn'shē-āt')   
v.   dif·fer·en·ti·at·ed, dif·fer·en·ti·at·ing, dif·fer·en·ti·ates

v.   tr.

  1. To constitute the distinction between: subspecies that are differentiated by the markings on their wings.

  2. To perceive or show the difference in or between; discriminate.

  3. To make different by alteration or modification.

  4. Mathematics To calculate the derivative or differential of (a function).

v.   intr.

  1. To become distinct or specialized; acquire a different character.

  2. To make distinctions; discriminate.

  3. Biology To undergo differentiation.

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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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: dif·fer·en·ti·ate
Pronunciation: "dif-&-'ren-chE-"At
Function: verb
Inflected Forms: -at·ed;-at·ing
transitive senses
1 : to constitute a difference that distinguishes differentiates humans from the other primates>
2 : to cause differentiation of in the course of development
3 : to discriminate or giveexpression to a specific difference that distinguishes differentiate sharp pain from dull pain> <differentiate humans from the rest of the primates>
4 : to cause differentiation in (a specimen for microscopic examination) by staining differentiate intransitive senses
1 : to recognize or express adifference <differentiate between humans and the rest of the primates>
2 : to undergo differentiation
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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