[dif-er-uhns, dif-ruhns]
the state or relation of being different; dissimilarity: There is a great difference between the two.
a distinguishing characteristic; distinctive quality, feature, etc.: The difference in the two products is quality.
the degree to which one person or thing differs from another.
the act of distinguishing; discrimination; distinction.
a disagreement in opinion.
a dispute or quarrel.
Also called finite distance. Mathematics.
a differentia.
verb (used with object), differenced, differencing.
to perceive the difference in or between; discriminate.
split the difference,
to compromise, especially to make equal concessions.



1. similarity, agreement. Unabridged
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World English Dictionary
difference (ˈdɪfərəns, ˈdɪfrəns)
1.  the state or quality of being unlike
2.  a specific instance of being unlike
3.  a distinguishing mark or feature
4.  a significant change in a situation: the difference in her is amazing
5.  a disagreement or argument: he had a difference with his wife
6.  a degree of distinctness, as between two people or things
7.  a.  the result of the subtraction of one number, quantity, etc, from another
 b.  the single number that when added to the subtrahend gives the minuend; remainder
8.  logic another name for differentia
9.  of two sets maths
 a.  A -- B the set of members of the first that are not members of the second
 b.  symmetric difference Often symbolized: A + B the set of members of one but not both of the given sets
10.  heraldry an addition to the arms of a family to represent a younger branch
11.  make a difference
 a.  to have an effect
 b.  to treat differently
12.  split the difference
 a.  to settle a dispute by a compromise
 b.  to divide a remainder equally
13.  with a difference with some peculiarly distinguishing quality, good or bad
14.  rare to distinguish
15.  heraldry to add a charge to (arms) to differentiate a branch of a family

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
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Word Origin & History

mid-14c., from O.Fr. difference, from L. differentia, from differentem (nom. differens), prp. of differre "to set apart" (see differ). Sense of "a quarrel" first attested late 14c. Colloquial phrase what's the diff? first recorded 1896.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
Medical Dictionary

difference dif·fer·ence (dĭf'ər-əns, dĭf'rəns)

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
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