of or pertaining to difference or diversity.
constituting a difference; distinguishing; distinctive: a differential feature.
exhibiting or depending upon a difference or distinction.
Physics, Machinery. pertaining to or involving the difference of two or more motions, forces, etc.
Mathematics. pertaining to or involving a derivative or derivatives.
a difference or the amount of difference, as in rate, cost, quantity, degree, or quality, between things that are comparable.
a function of two variables that is obtained from a given function, y = f (x ), and that expresses the approximate increment in the given function as the derivative of the function times the increment in the independent variable, written as dy = f′ (x ) dx.
any generalization of this function to higher dimensions.
the difference involved in a differential rate.
Physics. the quantitative difference between two or more forces, motions, etc.: a pressure differential.

1640–50; < Medieval Latin differentiālis, equivalent to differenti(a) difference + ālis -al

differentially, adverb
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World English Dictionary
differential (ˌdɪfəˈrɛnʃəl)
1.  of, relating to, or using a difference
2.  constituting a difference; distinguishing
3.  maths of, containing, or involving one or more derivatives or differentials
4.  physics, engineering relating to, operating on, or based on the difference between two effects, motions, forces, etc: differential amplifier
5.  a factor that differentiates between two comparable things
6.  maths
7.  See also differential gear an epicyclic gear train that permits two shafts to rotate at different speeds while being driven by a third shaft
8.  chiefly (Brit) the difference between rates of pay for different types of labour, esp when forming a pay structure within an industry

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
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American Heritage
Science Dictionary
differential   (dĭf'ə-rěn'shəl)  Pronunciation Key 
  1. An infinitesimal increment in a variable.

  2. The product of the derivative of a function of one variable and the increment of the independent variable.

The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
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Example sentences
Top photo shows the flywheel-hybrid system mounted to the rear differential.
Note that nothing in the last paragraph of the article explains the
  private-public gap or the change in the differential.
The differential in wage growth has been more dramatic still.
Nevertheless, the big pharmaceutical companies are moving towards some form of
  differential pricing.
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