DICT.TW Dictionary Taiwan

 dif·fer·en·ti·ate /ˌdɪfəˈrɛn(t)ʃiˌet/
 (vt.)(vi.)區別,區分

 dif·fer·en·ti·ate /ˌdɪfəˈrɛnʧɪˌet/ 動詞

 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.
    The word then was differentiated into the two forms then and than.   --Earle.
    Two or more of the forms assumed by the same original word become differentiated in signification.   --Dr. Murray.
 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.
 3. Math. To obtain the differential, or differential coefficient, of; as, to differentiate an algebraic expression, or an equation.

 Dif·fer·en·ti·ate, v. i. Biol. To acquire a distinct and separate character.
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 differentiate
      v 1: mark as different; "We distinguish several kinds of maple"
           [syn: distinguish, separate, 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 form
         his peers" [syn: distinguish, mark]
      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, specialize,
          specialise]
      6: become distinct and acquire a different character