: a sum of products in which each product consists of a partial derivative of a given function of several variables multiplied by the corresponding increment and which contains as many products as there are independent variables in the function
2
: a difference between comparable individuals or classes
a price differential
also: the amount of such a difference
3
a
: a drivetrain gear assembly connecting two collinear shafts or axles (such as those of the rear wheels of an automobile) and permitting one shaft to revolve faster than the other
Adjective did away with differential pay scales for men and women doing the same work
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
That differential determines how much moisture goes from the ocean to the monsoon and means more of it drops.Time, 16 Sep. 2022 That differential determines how much moisture goes from the ocean to the monsoon and means more of it drops. Seth Borenstein, ajc, 15 Sep. 2022 There is a differential distribution of electric charges on the outside of the membrane compared to the inside of the membrane. Gabriel A. Silva, Forbes, 18 Aug. 2022 The springs are softer at the front but firmer at the rear in a bid to counter roll in the corners and pitch when accelerating and braking, and the differential shifts torque to whichever rear wheel has the most grip when exiting a corner.Wired, 4 Aug. 2022 Over the many years since then, differential erosion — when layers of lava erode from the sea and winds at irregular rates — formed the arch. Kathleen Wong, USA TODAY, 22 July 2022 So my story, from a principle point of view, goes to the differential rates of adaptation of different tissues. Greg Presto, Men's Health, 14 July 2022 To predict that everything will change is not to identify the differential components of transformation and persistence that make any emergent phenomenon, including global capitalism, legible at all. Benjamin Kunkel, The New Republic, 14 June 2022 Parts of the Euler identity pop up in the solutions to differential equations, like in oscillating circuits, and the solutions to Schrödinger’s equation in quantum mechanics. Rhett Allain, Wired, 14 Mar. 2022
Noun
The big hardware difference for the Hyundai is a twin-clutch rear differential that can send up to 100 percent of the rear motor's output to either side. Mike Duff, Car and Driver, 9 Sep. 2022 The tiebreaker is point differential, and the Jazz’s is only barely positive. Andy Larsen, The Salt Lake Tribune, 14 July 2022 Critically, the inboard portion of the half-shaft (closest to the differential) could flex, allowing the rear wheels to articulate at extreme angles when the rear-suspension was under load. Matt Crisara, Popular Mechanics, 10 Aug. 2022 The Spartans grabbed just one of their own misses in the half while committing eight turnovers, leading to a five-shot differential in the Nittany Lions' favor. Chris Solari, Detroit Free Press, 16 Feb. 2022 That monster mill, shifted by a Ford six-speed automatic transmission hooked up to a Strange Engineering 9-inch differential, is stuffed into Dynacorn Classic Bodies’ exact replica of a 1967 Mustang fastback shell. Robert Ross, Robb Report, 20 Dec. 2021 Six different scorers have led the Eagles to a dominant 14-0 goal differential in three tournament games. Cam Kerry, BostonGlobe.com, 15 Nov. 2021 Having not practiced with USA, Booker, Middleton and Holiday had to overcome a long flight and adjust to the time differential to play. Duane Rankin, The Arizona Republic, 6 Aug. 2021 The rear motor is identical to the front unit, but the transaxle adds an electronic locking mechanism to the differential to provide extra traction in off—road use. Sam Abuelsamid, Forbes, 20 May 2021 See More