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differential - Meaning and Examples

Meaning of 'differential' (Webster Dictionary)

1 . Differential [ a.]
- Relating to or indicating a difference; creating a difference; discriminating; special; as, differential characteristics; differential duties; a differential rate.
- Of or pertaining to a differential, or to differentials.
- Relating to differences of motion or leverage; producing effects by such differences; said of mechanism.
2 . Differential [ n.]
- An increment, usually an indefinitely small one, which is given to a variable quantity.
- A small difference in rates which competing railroad lines, in establishing a common tariff, allow one of their number to make, in order to get a fair share of the business. The lower rate is called a differential rate. Differentials are also sometimes granted to cities.
- One of two coils of conducting wire so related to one another or to a magnet or armature common to both, that one coil produces polar action contrary to that of the other.
- A form of conductor used for dividing and distributing the current to a series of electric lamps so as to maintain equal action in all.

Meaning of 'differential' (Princeton's WordNet)

1 . differential [ a]
Meaning (1):
- involving or containing one or more derivatives
Example in sentence:
  • differential equation
Meaning (2):
- relating to or showing a difference
Example in sentence:
  • differential treatment

Nearby Words:

diffame diffarreation differ differed difference differenced differencing different differentia differentiae

See 'differential' also in:

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Related Definitions

  • semantic differential
    A technique developed by the American psychologist Charles Osgood for assessing the way in which the same words or ideas are understood by different people
  • Differential association
    Differential association is the theory of deviance that holds that violation of rules results from exposure to attitudes favorable to criminal acts.
  • Wage differential
    Wage differential can be defined as differences in wage rates for similar jobs occurring either due to the location of company, hours of work, working conditions,
  • Shift differential
    Shift differential can be defined as additional compensation, usually expressed as cents per hour, paid as an incentive for employees to accept working a less-then-desirable work shift (i.e., 2 nd or 3 rd shift).
  • Geographical differential
    Geographical differential is the variance in pay established for same or comparable jobs based on variations in labor and costs of living among other geographic regions.
  • Differential fluid
    Differential fluid is the liquid used for lubricating gears inside the differential.
  • Differential
    Differential is a system of gears that allows the outside driven wheel to rotate faster than the inside driven wheel when turning a corner.
  • Differential lube (gear oil)
    Differential lube (gear oil) is heavy-duty lubricant specifically designed to handle the requirements of the gears and mechanisms located
  • Gear oil (differential lube)
    Gear oil (differential lube) is heavy-duty lubricant specifically designed to handle the requirements of the gears and mechanisms located within the
  • Limited-slip (differential)
    Limited-slip (differential) is a system of gears that allows the outside driven wheel to rotate faster than the inside driven wheel when turning

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