DIFFERENTIAL

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does differential mean? 

• DIFFERENTIAL (noun)
  The noun DIFFERENTIAL has 3 senses:

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

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

  Familiarity information: DIFFERENTIAL used as a noun is uncommon.

• DIFFERENTIAL (adjective)
  The adjective DIFFERENTIAL has 2 senses:

1. relating to or showing a difference

2. involving or containing one or more derivatives

  Familiarity information: DIFFERENTIAL used as an adjective is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• DIFFERENTIAL (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

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

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

Synonyms:

derivative; derived function; differential; differential coefficient; first derivative

Hypernyms ("differential" is a kind of...):

calculation; computation; figuring; reckoning (problem solving that involves numbers or quantities)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "differential"):

curvature (the rate of change (at a point) of the angle between a curve and a tangent to the curve)

partial; partial derivative (the derivative of a function of two or more variables with respect to a single variable while the other variables are considered to be constant)

Derivation:

differential (involving or containing one or more derivatives)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A quality that differentiates between similar things

Classified under:

Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects

Hypernyms ("differential" is a kind of...):

difference (the quality of being unlike or dissimilar)

Derivation:

differential (relating to or showing a difference)

Sense 3

Meaning:

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

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

differential; differential gear

Hypernyms ("differential" is a kind of...):

bevel gear; pinion and crown wheel; pinion and ring gear (gears that mesh at an angle)

• DIFFERENTIAL (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Relating to or showing a difference

Classified under:

Relational adjectives (pertainyms)

Context example:

differential treatment

Pertainym:

difference (the quality of being unlike or dissimilar)

Derivation:

difference (the quality of being unlike or dissimilar)

difference (a significant change)

differential (a quality that differentiates between similar things)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Involving or containing one or more derivatives

Classified under:

Relational adjectives (pertainyms)

Context example:

differential equation

Domain category:

math; mathematics; maths (a science (or group of related sciences) dealing with the logic of quantity and shape and arrangement)

Pertainym:

differentiation (the mathematical process of obtaining the derivative of a function)

Derivation:

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

 Context examples 

Any of the processes by which nuclear, cytoplasmic, or intercellular factors influence the differential control of gene expression at the level of transcription or translation.

(Gene Regulation Process, NCI Thesaurus)

This pattern of expression is comprised of unique clusters of genes that display differential levels of expression.

(Gene Signature, NCI Thesaurus)

It plays a role in promoting the differential and survival of neurons.

(GDNF Gene, NCI Thesaurus)

The clinical differential diagnosis includes squamous cell carcinoma in situ and superficial fungal infection.

(Extramammary Paget Disease, NLM, Medical Subject Headings)

Separation of particles on the basis of their differential sedimentation rate.

(Elutriative Centrifugation, NCI Thesaurus)

Isolation of materials from solution based on their differential solubility in different liquids.

(Extraction Purification, NCI Thesaurus)

These modifications lead to differential expression of a gene or genes on a maternally derived chromosome versus a paternally derived chromosome.

(Genomic Imprinting, NCI Dictionary)

It is based on the differential retention of a crystal violet-iodine complex within the cell membrane.

(Gram Staining Method, NCI Thesaurus)

Term describing the presence or absence of a certain gene across genomes of different species, reflecting the differential acquisition and loss of this gene along the various evolutionary lineages.

(Phylogenetic Pattern, NCI Thesaurus)

A multistep purification process that isolates plasma proteins based upon the differential solubility of proteins in ethanol solutions.

(Plasma Protein Cold Ethanol Fractionation, NCI Thesaurus)