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1. (biology) exhibiting biological specialization; adapted during development to a specific function or environment
    
2. Made different (especially in the course of development) or shown to be different
   "the differentiated markings of butterflies"; "the regionally differentiated results"

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

See also: specialised [Brit], specialized

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, uniform

Encyclopedia: Differentiated