[syn: speciate, differentiate, specialize, specialise]
6. become distinct and acquire a different character;
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Differentiate \Dif`fer*en"ti*ate\, v. t.
1. To distinguish or mark by a specific difference; to effect
a difference in, as regards classification; to develop
differential characteristics in; to specialize; to
desynonymize.
[1913 Webster]
The word then was differentiated into the two forms
then and than. --Earle.
[1913 Webster]
Two or more of the forms assumed by the same
original word become differentiated in
signification. --Dr. Murray.
[1913 Webster]
2. To express the specific difference of; to describe the
properties of (a thing) whereby it is differenced from
another of the same class; to discriminate. --Earle.
[1913 Webster]
3. (Math.) To obtain the differential, or differential
coefficient, of; as, to differentiate an algebraic
expression, or an equation.
[1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Differentiate \Dif`fer*en"ti*ate\, v. i. (Biol.)
To acquire a distinct and separate character. --Huxley.
[1913 Webster]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
differentiate
v 1: mark as different; "We distinguish several kinds of maple"
[syn: distinguish, separate, differentiate, secern,
secernate, severalize, severalise, tell, tell
apart]
2: be a distinctive feature, attribute, or trait; sometimes in a
very positive sense; "His modesty distinguishes him from his
peers" [syn: distinguish, mark, differentiate]
3: calculate a derivative; take the derivative [ant:
integrate]
4: become different during development; "cells differentiate"
[ant: dedifferentiate]
5: evolve so as to lead to a new species or develop in a way
most suited to the environment [syn: speciate,
differentiate, specialize, specialise]
6: become distinct and acquire a different character