differentiate

== English == === Etymology === From New Latin differentiātus, perfect passive participle of differentiō (see -ate (verb-forming suffix) and -ate (noun-forming suffix)), from Latin differentia (“difference”); see difference. === Pronunciation === (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /dɪf.əˈɹɛn.ʃi.eɪt/ (General American, Canada) IPA(key): /ˌdɪf.əˈɹɛn.ʃi.eɪt/ (General Australian) IPA(key): /dɪf.əˈɹen.ʃi.æɪt/ (New Zealand) IPA(key): /dəf.əˈɹen.ʃi.æɪt/ === Verb === differentiate (third-person singular simple present differentiates, present participle differentiating, simple past and past participle differentiated) (transitive) To modify so as to create a difference or distinction. To show or be the difference or distinction between things. What differentiates an alligator from a crocodile? To recognize as different or distinct. Antonym: conflate How do you differentiate a fake smile from a genuine one? (mathematics) To calculate the derivative of a function. (mathematics) To calculate the differential of a function of multiple variables. (intransitive) To perceive the difference between things; to discriminate. (education) To teach a lesson in multiple different ways in order to meet the needs of more or less advanced students. (transitive, intransitive, often in the passive voice, biology) To (cause to) go through a process of development called differentiation; to make or become different in form or function. Synonym: specialize ==== Synonyms ==== (to show or be the distinction between things): differentialize; see also Thesaurus:differentiate (to perceive the difference between things): differentialize; see also Thesaurus:tell apart (to modify): change, transform; see also Thesaurus:alter ==== Antonyms ==== (antonym(s) of “to show the distinction between things”): equate (antonym(s) of “to perceive the difference between things”): mix up, muddle up (antonym(s) of “to modify”): leave alone, preserve ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Related terms ==== differ difference different differential ==== Translations ==== ==== Further reading ==== “differentiate”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913, →OCLC. William Dwight Whitney, Benjamin Eli Smith, editors (1895–1910), “differentiate”, in The Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia: […], New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., →OCLC. === Noun === differentiate (plural differentiates) (geology) Something that has been differentiated or stratified.