Lexic.us

Definition of Differential

1. Adjective. Relating to or showing a difference. "Differential treatment"

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

3. Adjective. Involving or containing one or more derivatives. "Differential equation"

4. Noun. A quality that differentiates between similar things.

5. 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.

Definition of Differential

1. a. Relating to or indicating a difference; creating a difference; discriminating; special; as, differential characteristics; differential duties; a differential rate.

2. n. An increment, usually an indefinitely small one, which is given to a variable quantity.

Definition of Differential

1. Adjective. of, or relating to a difference ¹

2. Adjective. dependent on, or making a difference; distinctive ¹

3. Adjective. having differences in speed or direction of motion ¹

4. Adjective. (mathematics) of, or relating to differentiation, or the differential calculus ¹

5. Noun. the differential gear in an automobile etc ¹

6. Noun. a qualitative or quantitative difference between similar or comparable things ¹

7. Noun. (mathematics) an infinitesimal change in a variable, or the result of differentiation ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Differential

1. [n -S]

Medical Definition of Differential

1. 1. Relating to or indicating a difference; creating a difference; discriminating; special; as, differential characteristics; differential duties; a differential rate. "For whom he produced differential favors." (Motley) 2. Of or pertaining to a differential, or to differentials. 3. Relating to differences of motion or leverage; producing effects by such differences; said of mechanism. Differential calculus. A portable hoisting apparatus, the same in principle as the differential windlass. A hoisting pulley to which power is applied through a differential gearing. Differential screw, a compound screw by which a motion is produced equal to the difference of the motions of the component screws. Differential thermometer, a thermometer usually with a U-shaped tube terminating in two air bulbs, and containing a coloured liquid, used for indicating the difference between the temperatures to which the two bulbs are exposed, by the change of position of the coloured fluid, in consequence of the different expansions of the air in the bulbs. A graduated scale is attached to one leg of the tube. Differential windlass, or Chinese windlass, a windlass whose barrel has two parts of different diameters. The hoisting rope winds upon one part as it unwinds from the other, and a pulley sustaining the weight to be lifted hangs in the bight of the rope. It is an ancient example of a differential motion. Origin: Cf. F. Differentiel. 1. An increment, usually an indefinitely small one, which is given to a variable quantity. According to the more modern writers upon the differential and integral calculus, if two or more quantities are dependent on each other, and subject to increments of value, their differentials need not be small, but are any quantities whose ratios to each other are the limits to which the ratios of the increments approximate, as these increments are reduced nearer and nearer to zero. 2. 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. 3. 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. Partial differential, the differential of a function of two or more variables, when each of the variables receives an increment. The total differential of the function is the sum of all the partial differentials. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Differential

difference of opinion difference of two squares difference threshold differenced differences differencing different different as chalk and cheese different light different strokes

differentia differentiabilities differentiability differentiable differentiae differential differential adhesion differential analyzer differential blood count differential blood pressure

differential calculus differential centrifugation differential coefficient differential cost differential diagnoses differential diagnosis differential display PCR differential equation differential equations differential gear

Literary usage of Differential

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. Catalogue of Scientific Papers, 1800-1900: Subject Indexby Royal Society (Great Britain), Herbert McLeod by Royal Society (Great Britain), Herbert McLeod (1908)
"formations attaching to class of differential equations, ... covariante and quotient-derivatives associated with differential equations. Forsyth, A.li. ..."

2. Higher Mathematics for Students of Chemistry and Physics: With Special by Joseph William Mellor (1902)
"A differential equation is ordinary or partial, according as there is one or more than one ... Ordinary differential equations will be treated first. ..."

3. Robot Manipulators: Mathematics, Programming, and Control : the Computer by Richard P. Paul (1981)
"In this case we will want to be able to transform differential changes in one coordinate ... Another use of differential relationships follows directly. ..."

4. The Theory of Functions of a Real Variable and the Theory of Fourier's Series by Ernest William Hobson (1907)
"This is denoted by —>, °'a , and is spoken of OXQ as the second partial differential coefficient o(f(x, y) with respect to x, at the oy<, y, is defined in a ..."

5. Encyclopaedia Britannica, a Dictionary of Arts, Sciences, Literature and edited by Hugh Chisholm (1910)
"In other words, they are given by the common solutions of the differential equations of the coefficients, and regard the invariants as invariants rather of ..."

6. The Positive Philosophy of Auguste Comte by Auguste Comte, Frederic Harrison (1896)
"Cases of the In these, the differential equations are found Integral cal- to ... The differential calculus is, in such cases, not essential to the solution ..."

7. Proceedings of the Cambridge Philosophical Society by Cambridge Philosophical Society (1904)
"On the differential equations of the hyperelliptic Junctions. ... The following note relates to some differential equations originally published in these ..."

Other Resources: