Meaning

noun the result of mathematical differentiation; the instantaneous change of one quantity relative to another; df(x)/dx

noun a quality that differentiates between similar things

noun 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

originEtymology tree Proto-Indo-European *dwóh₁ Proto-Indo-European *d(w)is- Proto-Italic *dis- Latin dis- Proto-Indo-European *bʰer- Proto-Indo-European *bʰéreti Proto-Italic *ferō Latin ferō Latin differō Latin differēns Proto-Indo-European *-yós Proto-Italic *-ios Old Latin -ios Latin -ius Latin -ia Latin differentia Proto-Indo-European *h₂el-der.? Proto-Italic *-ālis Latin -ālis Latin…

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 3.0