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Verb: differentiate  ,di-fu'ren-shee,eyt
  1. Mark as different
    "We differentiate several kinds of maple";
    - distinguish, separate, secern [rare], secernate, severalize, severalise [Brit], tell, tell apart
     
  2. Be a distinctive feature, attribute, or trait; sometimes in a very positive sense
    "His modesty differentiates him from his peers";
    - distinguish, mark
     
  3. (mathematics) calculate a derivative; take the derivative
     
  4. Become different during development
    "cells differentiate"
     
  5. Evolve so as to lead to a new species or develop in a way most suited to the environment
    - speciate, specialize, specialise [Brit]
     
  6. Become distinct and acquire a different character

Derived forms: differentiated, differentiates, differentiating

Type of: calculate, characterise [Brit], characterize, cipher, compute, cypher, develop, dissimilate, evolve, figure [N. Amer], finger [informal], identify, place, qualify, reckon, work out

Antonym: dedifferentiate, integrate

Encyclopedia: Differentiate