differentiate

To modify so as to create a difference or distinction.

A humble instance of Ablaut may be quoted which took place in the seventeenth century, when the word then was differentiated into the two forms then and than.

To show or be the difference or distinction between things.

What differentiates an alligator from a crocodile?

Taste differentiates a gentleman—for instance, Mr. Addison—from a Hottentot or Laplander.

To recognize as different or distinct.

How do you differentiate a fake smile from a genuine one?

In the earlier chapters uncouth proper names are reduced to a minimum, but the Index refers by name to specific places and persons only generally mentioned in the earlier pages. For instance, the states of Lu and Chêng on pages 22 and 29 : it is hard enough to differentiate Ts‘i, Tsin, Ts‘in, and Ts‘u at the outstart, without crowding the memory with fresh names until the necessity for it absolutely arises.

To calculate the derivative of a function.

To calculate the differential of a function of multiple variables.

Something that has been differentiated or stratified.

There is no discernable tendency, however, for the differentiates to fall into two extremities, as would be expected if they were trending toward distinct eutectics in a residua system.

This latter terminology is particularly favored by Soviet petrologists, e.g.. Bogatikov et al. (1985), who believe that any magma typically exhibits both agpaitic and miascitic differentiates.