The Wordsmith Dictionary

Dif *fract ", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Diffracted; p. pr. & vb. n.Diffracting.] Etym: [L. diffractus, p. p. of diffringere to break in pieces; dif- = dis- + frangere to break. See Fracture. ]

Defn: To break or separate into parts; to deflect, or decompose by deflection, a

DIFFRACTION

Dif *frac "tion, n. Etym: [Cf. F. diffraction. ] (Opt. )

Defn: The deflection and decomposition of light in passing by the edges of opaque bodies or through narrow slits, causing the appearance of parallel bands or fringes of prismatic colors, as by the action of a grating of fine lines or bars.Remarked by Grimaldi (1665 ), and referred by him to a property of light which he called diffraction. Whewell. Diffraction grating. (Optics ) See under Grating. -- Diffraction spectrum. (Optics ) See under Spectrum.

DIFFRACTIVE

DIFFRACTIVE Dif *frac "tive, a.

Defn: That produces diffraction.

DIFFRANCHISE; DIFFRANCHISEMENT

DIFFRANCHISE; DIFFRANCHISEMENT Dif *fran "chise, Dif *fran "chise *ment.

Defn: See Disfranchise, Disfranchisement.

DIFFUSATE

DIFFUSATE Dif *fus "ate, n. (Chem. )

Defn: Material which, in the process of catalysis, has diffused or passed through the separating membrane.

DIFFUSE

Dif *fuse ", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Diffused; p. pr. & vb. n. Diffusing.]Etym: [L. diffusus, p. p. of diffundere to pour out, to diffuse; dif- = dis- + fundere to pour. See Fuse to melt. ]

Defn: To pour out and cause to spread, as a fluid; to cause to flow on all sides; to send out, or extend, in all directions; to spread; to circulate; to disseminate; to scatter; as to diffuse information. Thence diffuse His good to worlds and ages infinite. Milton. We find this knowledge diffused among all civilized nations. Whewell.

Syn. -- To expand; spread; circulate; extend; scatter; disperse; publish; proclaim.

DIFFUSE

DIFFUSE Dif *fuse ", v. i.

Defn: To pass by spreading every way, to diffuse itself.

DIFFUSE

Dif *fuse ", a. Etym: [L. diffusus, p. p.]

Defn: Poured out; widely spread; not restrained; copious; full; esp. , of style, opposed to concise or terse; verbose; prolix; as, a diffuse style; a diffuse writer. A diffuse and various knowledge of divine and human things. Milton.

Syn. -- Prolix; verbose; wide; copious; full. See Prolix.

DIFFUSED

DIFFUSED Dif *fused ", a.

Defn: Spread abroad; dispersed; loose; flowing; diffuse. It grew to be a widely diffused opinion. Hawthorne. -- Dif *fus "ed *ly, adv. -- Dif *fus "ed *ness, n.

DIFFUSELY

DIFFUSELY Dif *fuse "ly, adv.

Defn: In a diffuse manner.

DIFFUSENESS

DIFFUSENESS Dif *fuse "ness, n.

Defn: The quality of being diffuse; especially, in writing, the use of a great or excessive number of word to express the meaning; copiousness; verbosity; prolixity.

DIFFUSER

DIFFUSER Dif *fus "er, n.

Defn: One who, or that which, diffuses.

DIFFUSIBILITY

DIFFUSIBILITY Dif *fu `si *bil "i *ty, n.

Defn: The quality of being diffusible; capability of being poured or spread out.

DIFFUSIBLE

DIFFUSIBLE Dif *fu "si *ble, a.

1. Capable of flowing or spreading in all directions; that may be diffused.

2. (Physiol.)

Defn: Capable of passing through animal membranes by osmosis.

DIFFUSIBLENESS

DIFFUSIBLENESS Dif *fu "si *ble *ness, n.

Defn: Diffusibility.

DIFFUSION

Dif *fu "sion, n. Etym: [L. diffusio: cf. F. diffusion. ]

1. The act of diffusing, or the state of being diffused; a spreading; extension; dissemination; circulation; dispersion. A diffusion of knowledge which has undermined superstition. Burke.

2. (Physiol.)

Defn: The act of passing by osmosis through animal membranes, as in the distribution of poisons, gases, etc. , through the body. Unlike absorption, diffusion may go on after death, that is, after the blood ceases to circulate.

Syn. -- Extension; spread; propagation; circulation; expansion; dispersion.

DIFFUSIVE

Dif *fu "sive, a. Etym: [Cf. F. diffusif.]

Defn: Having the quality of diffusing; capable of spreading every way by flowing; spreading widely; widely reaching; copious; diffuse. "A plentiful and diffusive perfume. " Hare.

DIFFUSIVELY

DIFFUSIVELY Dif *fu "sive *ly, adv.

Defn: In a diffusive manner.

DIFFUSIVENESS

DIFFUSIVENESS Dif *fu "sive *ness, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being diffusive or diffuse; extensiveness; expansion; dispersion. Especially of style: Diffuseness; want of conciseness; prolixity. The fault that I find with a modern legend, it its diffusiveness. Addison.

DIFFUSIVITY

DIFFUSIVITY Dif `fu *siv "i *ty, n.

Defn: Tendency to become diffused; tendency, as of heat, to become equalized by spreading through a conducting medium.

New American Oxford Dictionary

diff

diff |dif dɪf | ▶noun informal short for difference. ▶verb [ with obj. ] Computing compare (files ) in order to determine how or whether they differ.

differ

dif fer |ˈdifər ˈdɪfər | ▶verb [ no obj. ] be unlike or dissimilar: the second set of data differed from the first | tastes differ | (as adj. differing ) : widely differing circumstances. • disagree: he differed from his contemporaries in ethical matters. PHRASES agree to differ cease to argue about something because neither party will compromise or be persuaded. beg to differ politely disagree: that's your opinion —I beg to differ. ORIGIN late Middle English (also in the sense ‘put off, defer ’): from Old French differer ‘differ, defer, ’ from Latin differre, from dis- ‘from, away ’ + ferre ‘bring, carry. ’ Compare with defer 1 .

difference

dif fer ence |ˈdif (ə )rəns ˈdɪf (ə )rəns | ▶noun a point or way in which people or things are not the same: the differences between men and women. • the state or condition of being dissimilar or unlike: their difference from one another. • a disagreement, quarrel, or dispute: the couple are patching up their differences. • a quantity by which amounts differ; the remainder left after subtraction of one value from another: the gross margin is the difference between the total cost of the goods and the final selling price. • Heraldry an alteration in a coat of arms to distinguish members or branches of a family. ▶verb [ with obj. ] Heraldry alter (a coat of arms ) to distinguish members or branches of a family. PHRASES make a (or no ) difference have a significant effect (or no effect ) on a person or situation: the law will make no difference to my business. with a difference having a new or unusual feature or treatment: a fashion show with a difference. ORIGIN Middle English: via Old French from Latin differentia (see differentia ).

difference threshold

dif fer ence thresh old ▶noun the smallest amount by which two sensory stimuli can differ in order for an individual to perceive them as different.

different

dif fer ent |ˈdif (ə )rənt ˈdɪf (ə )rənt | ▶adjective 1 not the same as another or each other; unlike in nature, form, or quality: you can play this game in different ways | (different from /than ) : the car is different from anything else on the market. • informal novel and unusual: try something deliciously different. 2 distinct; separate: on two different occasions. PHRASES different strokes for different folks proverb different things appeal to different people. DERIVATIVES dif fer ent ly adverb, dif fer ent ness noun ORIGIN late Middle English: via Old French from Latin different- ‘carrying away, differing, ’ from the verb differre (see differ ). usage: Different from, different than, and different to: what are the distinctions between these three constructions, and is one more correct than the others? In practice, different from is both the most common structure and the most accepted. Different than is used chiefly in North America, although its use is increasing in British English. Because it can be followed by a clause, it is sometimes more concise than different from (compare "things are different than they were a year ago " with "things are different from the way they were a year ago "). Different to, although common in Britain, is disliked by traditionalists and sounds peculiar to American ears.

differentia

dif fer en ti a |ˌdifəˈrenSH (ē )ə ˌdɪfəˈrɛnʃ (i )ə | ▶noun ( pl. differentiae |-SHēˌē | ) a distinguishing mark or characteristic. • chiefly Philosophy an attribute that distinguishes a species of thing from other species of the same genus. ORIGIN late 17th cent.: from Latin, literally ‘difference, ’ from different- ‘carrying away ’ (see different ).

differentiable

dif fer en ti a ble |ˌdifəˈrenSHəbəl ˌdɪfəˈrɛnʃəbəl | ▶adjective able to be differentiated. DERIVATIVES dif fer en ti a bil i ty |-ˌrenSHəˈbilitē |noun ORIGIN mid 19th cent.: from differentiate, on the pattern of pairs such as depreciate, depreciable .

differential

dif fer en tial |ˌdifəˈrenCHəl ˈˌdɪfəˈrɛn (t )ʃəl |chiefly technical ▶adjective [ attrib. ] of, showing, or depending on a difference; differing or varying according to circumstances or relevant factors: the differential achievements of boys and girls. • constituting a specific difference; distinctive: the differential features between benign and malignant tumors. • Mathematics relating to infinitesimal differences or to the derivatives of functions. • of or relating to a difference in a physical quantity: a differential amplifier. ▶noun a difference between amounts of things: the differential between gasoline and diesel prices. • Mathematics an infinitesimal difference between successive values of a variable. • (also differential gear ) a set of gears allowing a vehicle's driven wheels to revolve at different speeds when going around corners. DERIVATIVES dif fer en tial ly adverb ORIGIN mid 17th cent.: from medieval Latin differentialis, from Latin differentia ‘difference ’ (see differentia ).

differential calculus

dif fer en tial cal cu lus |ˈˌdɪfəˈrɛn (t )ʃəl ˈkælkjələs | ▶noun a branch of mathematics concerned with the determination, properties, and application of derivatives and differentials. Compare with integral calculus.

differential coefficient

dif fer en tial co ef fi cient ▶noun Mathematics another term for derivative.

differential diagnosis

dif fer en tial di ag no sis ▶noun Medicine the process of differentiating between two or more conditions that share similar signs or symptoms.

differential equation

dif fer en tial e qua tion |ˈˌdɪfəˈrɛn (t )ʃəl əˈkweɪʒən | ▶noun an equation involving derivatives of a function or functions.

differential lock

dif fer en tial lock ▶noun a device that disables the differential of a motor vehicle in slippery conditions to improve grip.

differential operator

dif fer en tial op er a tor ▶noun Mathematics another term for del.

differential windlass

dif fer en tial wind lass ▶noun a hoisting device consisting of two drums of different diameters on the same axis and turning at the same rate, so that a line wound on the larger drum and unwound from the smaller drum provides a mechanical advantage in lifting. Also called Chinese windlass.

differentiate

dif fer en ti ate |ˌdifəˈrenSHēˌāt ˌdɪfəˈrɛn (t )ʃiˌeɪt | ▶verb [ with obj. ] 1 recognize or ascertain what makes (someone or something ) different: children can differentiate the past from the present. • [ no obj. ] (differentiate between ) identify differences between (two or more things or people ): he is unable to differentiate between fantasy and reality. • make (someone or something ) appear different or distinct: Twain was careful to differentiate Huck's speech from that of other white people. 2 technical make or become different in the process of growth or development: [ with obj. ] : the receptors are developed and differentiated into sense organs | [ no obj. ] : the cells differentiate into a wide variety of cell types. 3 Mathematics transform (a function ) into its derivative. DERIVATIVES dif fer en ti a tor |-ˌātər |noun ORIGIN early 19th cent.: from medieval Latin differentiat- ‘carried away from, ’ from the verb differentiare, from differentia (see differentia ).

differentiation

dif fer en ti a tion |ˌdifərenSHēˈāSHən dɪfərenʃiˈeɪʃn | ▶noun the action or process of differentiating: packaging can be a source of product differentiation.

differently abled

dif fer ent ly a bled ▶adjective disabled. usage: Differently abled was first proposed (in the 1980s ) as an alternative to disabled, handicapped, etc. , on the grounds that it gave a more positive message and so avoided discrimination toward people with disabilities. The term has gained little currency, however, and can seem overeuphemistic and condescending. The accepted term in general use is still disabled .

difficult

dif fi cult |ˈdifikəlt ˈdɪfəkəlt | ▶adjective needing much effort or skill to accomplish, deal with, or understand: she had a difficult decision to make | the questions are too difficult for the children. • characterized by or causing hardships or problems: a difficult economic climate. • (of a person ) not easy to please or satisfy: Lily could be difficult. DERIVATIVES dif fi cult ly adverb ( rare ), dif fi cult ness noun ORIGIN late Middle English: back-formation from difficulty .

difficulty

dif fi cul ty |ˈdifikəltē ˈdɪfəkəlti | ▶noun ( pl. difficulties ) the state or condition of being difficult: Guy had no difficulty in making friends | she walks with difficulty . • a thing that is hard to accomplish, deal with, or understand: there is a practical difficulty | a club with financial difficulties. • (often difficulties ) a situation that is difficult or dangerous: they went for a swim but got into difficulties. ORIGIN late Middle English (in the senses ‘requiring effort or skill ’ and ‘something difficult ’): from Latin difficultas, from dis- (expressing reversal ) + facultas ‘ability, opportunity. ’

diffidence

dif fi dence |ˈdifidəns ˈdɪfɪdəns | ▶noun modesty or shyness resulting from a lack of self-confidence: I say this with some diffidence.

diffident

dif fi dent |ˈdifidənt ˈdɪfəd (ə )nt | ▶adjective modest or shy because of a lack of self-confidence: a diffident youth. DERIVATIVES dif fi dent ly adverb ORIGIN late Middle English (in the sense ‘lacking confidence or trust in someone or something ’): from Latin diffident- ‘failing in trust, ’ from the verb diffidere, from dis- (expressing reversal ) + fidere ‘to trust. ’

diffract

dif fract |diˈfrakt dəˈfrækt | ▶verb [ with obj. ] Physics cause to undergo diffraction. DERIVATIVES dif frac tive |-tiv |adjective, dif frac tive ly |-tivlē |adverb ORIGIN early 19th cent.: from Latin diffract- ‘broken in pieces, ’ from the verb diffringere, from dis- ‘away, from ’ + frangere ‘to break. ’

diffraction

dif frac tion |diˈfrakSHən dəˈfrækʃən | ▶noun the process by which a beam of light or other system of waves is spread out as a result of passing through a narrow aperture or across an edge, typically accompanied by interference between the wave forms produced.

diffraction grating

dif frac tion grat ing ▶noun a plate of glass or metal ruled with very close parallel lines, producing a spectrum by diffraction and interference of light.

diffractometer

dif frac tom e ter |ˌdifrakˈtämitər ˌdɪfrækˈtɑmədər | ▶noun an instrument for measuring diffraction, chiefly used to determine the structure of a crystal by analysis of the diffraction of X-rays.

diffuse

dif fuse ▶verb |diˈfyo͞oz dəˈfjuz |spread or cause to spread over a wide area or among a large number of people: [ no obj. ] : technologies diffuse rapidly | [ with obj. ] : the problem is how to diffuse power without creating anarchy. • become or cause (a fluid, gas, individual atom, etc. ) to become intermingled with a substance by movement, typically in a specified direction or at specified speed: [ no obj. ] : oxygen molecules diffuse across the membrane | [ with obj. ] : gas is diffused into the bladder. • [ with obj. ] cause (light ) to glow faintly by dispersing it in many directions. ▶adjective |diˈfyo͞os dəˈfjus |spread out over a large area; not concentrated: the diffuse community centered on the church | the light is more diffuse. • (of disease ) not localized in the body: diffuse hyperplasia. • lacking clarity or conciseness: the second argument is more diffuse. DERIVATIVES dif fuse ly |-ˈfyo͞oslē |adverb, dif fuse ness |-ˈfyo͞osnis |noun ORIGIN late Middle English: from Latin diffus- ‘poured out, ’ from the verb diffundere, from dis- ‘away ’ + fundere ‘pour ’; the adjective via French diffus or Latin diffusus ‘extensive, ’ from diffundere. usage: The verbs diffuse and defuse sound similar but have different meanings. Diffuse means, broadly, ‘disperse, ’ while the nonliteral meaning of defuse is ‘reduce the danger or tension in. ’ Thus sentences such as Cooper successfully diffused the situation are regarded as incorrect, while Cooper successfully defused the situation would be correct. However, such uses of diffuse are widespread, and can make sense: the image in, for example, only peaceful dialogue between the two countries could diffuse tension is not of making a bomb safe but of reducing something dangerous to particles and dispersing them harmlessly.

diffuser

dif fus er |diˈfyo͞ozər dəˈfjuzər |(also diffusor ) ▶noun a thing that diffuses something, in particular: • an attachment or duct for broadening an airflow and reducing its speed. • Photography a device that spreads the light from a light source evenly and reduces harsh shadows.

diffusible

dif fus i ble |diˈfyo͞ozəbəl dəˈfjuzəbəl | ▶adjective able to intermingle by diffusion: diffusible factors in the cytoplasm.

diffusion

dif fu sion |diˈfyo͞oZHən dəˈfjuʒən | ▶noun the spreading of something more widely: the diffusion of Duchamp ’s thought and art. • the action of spreading the light from a light source evenly so as to reduce glare and harsh shadows. • Chemistry the intermingling of substances by the natural movement of their particles: the rate of diffusion of a gas. • Anthropology the dissemination of elements of culture to another region or people. DERIVATIVES dif fu sive |-siv |adjective (Chemistry )ORIGIN late Middle English (in the sense ‘pouring out, effusion ’): from Latin diffusion-, from diffundere ‘pour out. ’

diffusionist

dif fu sion ist |diˈfyo͞oZHənist dəˈfjuʒənəst |Anthropology ▶adjective advocating the theory of the dissemination of elements of culture to another region or people: the rural sociological literature of the diffusionist school. ▶noun an advocate of such a theory. DERIVATIVES dif fu sion ism |-ˌnizəm |noun

diffusion line

diffusion line (also diffusion range ) ▶noun a range of relatively inexpensive ready-to-wear garments produced for the mass market by a fashion designer.

diffusivity

dif fu siv i ty |ˌdifyo͞oˈsivitē ˌdɪfjuˈsɪvədi | ▶noun ( pl. diffusivities ) Physics a measure of the capability of a substance or energy to be diffused or to allow something to pass by diffusion.

Oxford Dictionary

diff

diff |dif dɪf | ▶noun informal short for difference. ▶verb [ with obj. ] Computing compare (files ) in order to determine how or whether they differ.

differ

dif ¦fer |ˈdɪfə | ▶verb [ no obj. ] be unlike or dissimilar: the second set of data differed from the first | tastes differ, especially in cars | (as adj. differing ) : widely differing circumstances. • disagree: he differed from his contemporaries in ethical matters. PHRASES agree to differ cease to argue about something because neither party will compromise or be persuaded. beg to differ politely disagree. ORIGIN late Middle English (also in the sense ‘put off, defer ’): from Old French differer ‘differ, defer ’, from Latin differre, from dis- ‘from, away ’ + ferre ‘bring, carry ’. Compare with defer 1 .

difference

dif ¦fer |ence |ˈdɪf (ə )r (ə )ns | ▶noun 1 a point or way in which people or things are dissimilar: the differences between men and women. • [ mass noun ] the state or condition of being dissimilar: their difference from one another. • a quantity by which amounts differ; the remainder left after subtraction of one value from another: the insurance company will pay the difference. • Heraldry an alteration in a coat of arms to distinguish members or branches of a family. 2 a disagreement, quarrel, or dispute: the couple are patching up their differences. ▶verb [ with obj. ] Heraldry alter (a coat of arms ) to distinguish members or branches of a family. PHRASES make a (or no ) difference have a significant effect (or no effect ) on a person or situation: the Act will make no difference to my business. with a difference having a new or unusual feature or treatment: a fashion show with a difference. ORIGIN Middle English: via Old French from Latin differentia (see differentia ).

difference threshold

dif ¦fer |ence thresh |old ▶noun the least amount by which two sensory stimuli can differ for an individual to perceive them as different.

different

dif ¦fer |ent |ˈdɪf (ə )r (ə )nt | ▶adjective 1 not the same as another or each other; unlike in nature, form, or quality: you can play this game in different ways | the car's different from anything else on the market. • informal novel and unusual: try something deliciously different. 2 distinct; separate: on two different occasions. PHRASES different strokes for different folks proverb different things appeal to different people. DERIVATIVES differently adverb, differentness noun ORIGIN late Middle English: via Old French from Latin different- ‘carrying away, differing ’, from the verb differre (see differ ). usage: Different from, different than, and different to: are there any distinctions between these three constructions, and is one more correct than the others? In practice, different from is both the most common structure, both in British and US English, and the most accepted. Different than is used chiefly in North America, although its use is increasing in British English. It has the advantage that it can be followed by a clause, and so is sometimes more concise than different from: compare things are definitely different than they were one year ago with things are definitely different from the way they were one year ago. Different to is common in Britain, but is disliked by traditionalists. The argument against it is based on the relation of different to differ, which is used with from; but this is a flawed argument which is contradicted by other pairs of words such as accord ( with ) and according ( to ).

differentia

differentia |ˌdɪfəˈrɛnʃɪə | ▶noun ( pl. differentiae |-ʃɪiː | ) a distinguishing mark or characteristic. • chiefly Philosophy an attribute that distinguishes a species of thing from other species of the same genus. ORIGIN late 17th cent.: from Latin, literally ‘difference ’, from different- ‘carrying away ’ (see different ).

differentiable

differentiable |ˌdɪfəˈrɛnʃɪəb (ə )l | ▶adjective able to be differentiated. DERIVATIVES differentiability |-ˈbɪlɪti |noun ORIGIN mid 19th cent.: from differentiate, on the pattern of pairs such as depreciate, depreciable .

differential

differential |ˌdɪfəˈrɛnʃ (ə )l |chiefly technical ▶adjective [ attrib. ] of, showing, or depending on a difference; varying according to circumstances or relevant factors: the differential achievements of boys and girls. • constituting a specific difference; distinctive: the differential features between benign and malignant tumours. • Mathematics relating to infinitesimal differences or to the derivatives of functions. • relating to a difference in a physical quantity: a differential amplifier. ▶noun a difference between amounts of things: the differential between petrol and diesel prices. • Brit. a difference in wages between industries or between categories of employees in the same industry: regional differentials in pay. • Mathematics an infinitesimal difference between successive values of a variable. • (also differential gear ) a gear allowing a vehicle's driven wheels to revolve at different speeds in cornering. DERIVATIVES differentially adverb ORIGIN mid 17th cent.: from medieval Latin differentialis, from Latin differentia ‘difference ’ (see differentia ).

differential calculus

dif ¦fer |en |tial cal ¦cu |lus ▶noun [ mass noun ] a branch of mathematics concerned with the determination, properties, and application of derivatives and differentials. Compare with integral calculus.

differential coefficient

dif ¦fer |en |tial co |ef ¦fi ¦cient ▶noun Mathematics another term for derivative.

differential diagnosis

dif ¦fer |en |tial diag |no ¦sis ▶noun Medicine the process of differentiating between two or more conditions which share similar signs or symptoms.

differential equation

dif ¦fer |en |tial equa |tion ▶noun an equation involving derivatives of a function or functions.

differential lock

dif ¦fer |en |tial lock ▶noun a device which disables the differential of a motor vehicle in slippery conditions to improve grip.

differential operator

dif ¦fer |en |tial op ¦er |ator ▶noun Mathematics another term for del.

differential windlass

differentiate

differentiate |ˌdɪfəˈrɛnʃɪeɪt | ▶verb [ with obj. ] 1 recognize or ascertain what makes (someone or something ) different: children can differentiate the past from the present. • [ no obj. ] (differentiate between ) identify differences between (two or more things or people ): he is unable to differentiate between fantasy and reality. • make (someone or something ) appear different or distinct: little now differentiates the firm's products from its rivals. 2 technical make or become different in the process of growth or development: [ with obj. ] : the receptors are developed and differentiated into sense organs | [ no obj. ] : the cells differentiate into a wide variety of cell types. 3 Mathematics transform (a function ) into its derivative. DERIVATIVES differentiator noun ORIGIN early 19th cent.: from medieval Latin differentiat- ‘carried away from ’, from the verb differentiare, from differentia (see differentia ).

differentiation

dif ¦fer |en |ti ¦ation |ˌdɪfərɛnʃɪˈeɪʃn | ▶noun [ mass noun ] the action or process of differentiating: packaging can be a source of product differentiation.

differently abled

dif ¦fer |ent ¦ly abled ▶adjective chiefly N. Amer. disabled. usage: Differently abled was first proposed (in the 1980s ) as an alternative to disabled, handicapped, etc. on the grounds that it gave a more positive message and so avoided discrimination towards people with disabilities. The term has gained little currency, however, and has been criticized as both over-euphemistic and condescending. The accepted term in general use is still disabled .

difficult

dif |fi ¦cult |ˈdɪfɪk (ə )lt | ▶adjective needing much effort or skill to accomplish, deal with, or understand: she had a difficult decision to make | the questions are too difficult for the children. • characterized by or causing hardships or problems: a difficult economic climate. • (of a person ) not easy to please or satisfy; awkward: Lily could be difficult. DERIVATIVES difficultly adverb ( rare ), difficultness noun ORIGIN late Middle English: back-formation from difficulty .

difficulty

dif |fi ¦culty |ˈdɪfɪk (ə )lti | ▶noun ( pl. difficulties ) [ mass noun ] the state or condition of being difficult: Guy had no difficulty in making friends | I managed with difficulty to struggle upright. • [ count noun ] a thing that is hard to accomplish, deal with, or understand: there is a practical difficulty | a club with financial difficulties. • (difficulties ) a situation that is difficult or dangerous: they went for a swim but got into difficulties. ORIGIN late Middle English (in the senses ‘requiring effort or skill ’ and ‘something difficult ’): from Latin difficultas, from dis- (expressing reversal ) + facultas ‘ability, opportunity ’.

diffidence

dif |fi ¦dence |ˈdɪfɪd (ə )ns | ▶noun [ mass noun ] modesty or shyness resulting from a lack of self-confidence: I say this with some diffidence.

diffident

dif |fi ¦dent |ˈdɪfɪd (ə )nt | ▶adjective modest or shy because of a lack of self-confidence: a diffident youth. DERIVATIVES diffidently adverb ORIGIN late Middle English (in the sense ‘lacking confidence or trust in someone or something ’): from Latin diffident- ‘failing in trust ’, from the verb diffidere, from dis- (expressing reversal ) + fidere ‘to trust ’.

diffract

diffract |dɪˈfrakt | ▶verb [ with obj. ] Physics cause to undergo diffraction. DERIVATIVES diffractive adjective, diffractively adverb ORIGIN early 19th cent.: from Latin diffract- ‘broken in pieces ’, from the verb diffringere, from dis- ‘away, from ’ + frangere ‘to break ’.

diffraction

dif |frac ¦tion |dɪˈfrakʃn | ▶noun [ mass noun ] the process by which a beam of light or other system of waves is spread out as a result of passing through a narrow aperture or across an edge, typically accompanied by interference between the wave forms produced.

diffraction grating

dif |frac ¦tion grat ¦ing ▶noun a plate of glass or metal ruled with very close parallel lines, producing a spectrum by diffraction and interference of light.

diffractometer

diffractometer |ˌdɪfrakˈtɒmɪtə | ▶noun an instrument for measuring diffraction, chiefly used to determine the structure of a crystal by analysis of the diffraction of X-rays.

diffuse

dif |fuse ▶verb |dɪˈfjuːz |spread over a wide area or between a large number of people: [ no obj. ] : technologies diffuse rapidly | [ with obj. ] : the problem is how to diffuse power without creating anarchy. • Physics intermingle with another substance by movement, typically in a specified direction or at specified speed: [ no obj. ] : oxygen molecules diffuse across the membrane | [ with obj. ] : gas is diffused into the bladder. • [ with obj. ] cause (light ) to spread evenly to reduce glare and harsh shadows. ▶adjective |dɪˈfjuːs | 1 spread out over a large area; not concentrated: the diffuse community which centred on the church | the light is more diffuse. • (of disease ) not localized in the body: diffuse hyperplasia. 2 lacking clarity or conciseness: the second argument is more diffuse. DERIVATIVES diffusely |dɪˈfjuːsli |adverb, diffuseness |dɪˈfjuːsnɪs |noun ORIGIN late Middle English: from Latin diffus- ‘poured out ’, from the verb diffundere, from dis- ‘away ’ + fundere ‘pour ’; the adjective via French diffus or Latin diffusus ‘extensive ’, from diffundere. usage: The verbs diffuse and defuse sound similar but have different meanings. Diffuse means, broadly, ‘disperse ’, while the non-literal meaning of defuse is ‘reduce the danger or tension in ’. Thus sentences such as Cooper successfully diffused the situation are regarded as incorrect, while Cooper successfully defused the situation would be correct. However, such uses of diffuse are widespread, and can make sense: the image in, for example, only peaceful dialogue between the two countries could diffuse tension is not of making a bomb safe but of reducing something dangerous to particles and dispersing them harmlessly.

diffuser

diffuser |dɪˈfjuːzə |(also diffusor ) ▶noun a thing that diffuses something, in particular: • an attachment or duct for broadening an airflow and reducing its speed. • Photography a device which spreads the light from a light source evenly and reduces harsh shadows.

diffusible

diffusible |dɪˈfjuːzɪb (ə )l | ▶adjective able to intermingle by diffusion: diffusible factors in the cytoplasm.

diffusion

dif |fu ¦sion |dɪˈfjuːʒ (ə )n | ▶noun [ mass noun ] the spreading of something more widely: the rapid diffusion of ideas and technology. • the action of spreading the light from a light source evenly to reduce glare and harsh shadows. • Physics the intermingling of substances by the natural movement of their particles: the rate of diffusion of a gas. • Anthropology the dissemination of elements of culture to another region or people. DERIVATIVES diffusionism noun (Anthropology ), diffusionist adjective & noun (Anthropology ), diffusive adjective (Physics )ORIGIN late Middle English (in the sense ‘pouring out, effusion ’): from Latin diffusio (n- ), from diffundere ‘pour out ’.

diffusion line

diffusion line (also diffusion range ) ▶noun a range of relatively inexpensive ready-to-wear garments produced for the mass market by a fashion designer.

diffusivity

diffusivity |ˌdɪfjuːˈsɪvɪti | ▶noun ( pl. diffusivities ) Physics a measure of the capability of a substance or energy to be diffused or to allow something to pass by diffusion.

American Oxford Thesaurus

differ

differ verb 1 the second set of data differed from the first: contrast with, be different from, be dissimilar to, be unlike, vary from, diverge from, deviate from, conflict with, run counter to, be incompatible with, be at odds with, go against, contradict. ANTONYMS resemble. 2 the two sides differed over this issue: disagree, conflict, be at variance, be at odds, be in dispute, not see eye to eye. ANTONYMS agree.

difference

difference noun 1 the difference between the two sets of data: dissimilarity, contrast, distinction, differentiation, variance, variation, divergence, disparity, deviation, polarity, gulf, gap, imbalance, contradiction, contradistinction. ANTONYMS similarity. 2 we've had our differences in the past: disagreement, difference of opinion, dispute, argument, quarrel, wrangle, contretemps, altercation; informal tiff, set-to, run-in, spat, row. 3 I am willing to pay the difference: balance, remainder, rest, remaining amount, residue.

different

different adjective 1 people with different lifestyles: dissimilar, unalike, unlike, contrasting, contrastive, divergent, differing, varying, disparate; poles apart, incompatible, mismatched, conflicting, clashing. ANTONYMS similar. 2 suddenly everything in her life was different: changed, altered, transformed, new, unfamiliar, unknown, strange. ANTONYMS the same. 3 two different occasions: distinct, separate, individual, discrete, independent. ANTONYMS similar, related. 4 informal he wanted to try something different: unusual, out of the ordinary, unfamiliar, novel, new, fresh, original, unconventional, exotic, uncommon. ANTONYMS ordinary.

differential

differential adjective technical 1 the differential achievements of boys and girls: different, dissimilar, contrasting, unalike, divergent, disparate, contrastive. ANTONYMS similar. 2 the differential features of benign and malignant tumors: distinctive, distinguishing. ANTONYMS similar.

differentiate

differentiate verb 1 he was unable to differentiate between fantasy and reality: distinguish, discriminate, make /draw a distinction, tell the difference, tell apart. 2 this differentiates their business from all other booksellers: make different, distinguish, set apart, single out, separate, mark off. CHOOSE THE RIGHT WORD See distinguish . These notes show fine distinctions in meaning between closely related synonyms to help you find the best word.

differentiation

differentiation noun there is not enough differentiation between the two types of investment: distinction, distinctness, difference; separation, demarcation, delimitation.

difficult

difficult adjective 1 a very difficult job: hard, strenuous, arduous, laborious, tough, onerous, burdensome, demanding, punishing, grueling, back-breaking, exhausting, tiring, fatiguing, wearisome; informal hellish, killing; archaic toilsome. ANTONYMS easy. 2 she found math very difficult: hard, complicated, complex, involved, impenetrable, unfathomable, over /above one's head, beyond one, puzzling, baffling, perplexing, confusing, mystifying; problematic, intricate, knotty, thorny, ticklish. ANTONYMS simple, straightforward. 3 a difficult child: troublesome, tiresome, trying, exasperating, awkward, demanding, perverse, contrary, recalcitrant, unmanageable, obstreperous, unaccommodating, unhelpful, uncooperative, disobliging; hard to please, fussy, finicky; formal refractory. ANTONYMS accommodating. 4 you've come at a difficult time: inconvenient, awkward, inopportune, unfavorable, unfortunate, inappropriate, unsuitable, untimely, ill-timed. ANTONYMS convenient. 5 the family has been through a difficult year: bad, tough, grim, dark, black, hard, adverse, distressing; straitened. ANTONYMS happy. WORD SPECTRUM: docile / difficult See docile Word Spectrums show shades of meaning between two polar opposites.

difficulty

difficulty noun 1 the difficulty of balancing motherhood with a career: strain, trouble, problems, toil, struggle, laboriousness, arduousness; informal hassle, stress. ANTONYMS ease. 2 the project has met with one difficulty after another: problem, complication, snag, hitch, pitfall, handicap, impediment, hindrance, obstacle, hurdle, stumbling block, obstruction, barrier; informal fly in the ointment, headache; growing pains. 3 (difficulties ) Charles got into difficulties: trouble, predicament, plight, hard times, dire straits; quandary, dilemma; informal deep water, a fix, a jam, a spot, a scrape, a stew, a hole, a pickle.

diffidence

diffidence noun her diffidence was out of place in this outgoing group: shyness, bashfulness, modesty, self-effacement, meekness, unassertiveness, timidity, humility, hesitancy, reticence, insecurity, self-doubt, uncertainty, self-consciousness.

diffident

diffident adjective underneath his diffident exterior was a passionate temperament: shy, bashful, modest, self-effacing, unassuming, meek, unconfident, unassertive, timid, timorous, humble, shrinking, reticent, hesitant, insecure, self-doubting, doubtful, uncertain, unsure, self-conscious; informal mousy. ANTONYMS confident.

diffuse

diffuse verb such ideas were diffused widely in the 1970s: spread, spread around, send out, disseminate, scatter, disperse, distribute, put about, circulate, communicate, purvey, propagate, transmit, broadcast, promulgate. ▶adjective 1 a diffuse community centered on the church: spread out, scattered, dispersed, diasporic. 2 a diffuse narrative: verbose, wordy, prolix, long-winded, long-drawn-out, discursive, rambling, wandering, meandering, maundering, digressive, circuitous, roundabout, circumlocutory, periphrastic. CHOOSE THE RIGHT WORD See scatter . These notes show fine distinctions in meaning between closely related synonyms to help you find the best word.

diffusion

diffusion noun the diffusion of the work to an even broader public: spread, dissemination, scattering, dispersal, diaspora, distribution, circulation, propagation, transmission, broadcasting, promulgation.

Oxford Thesaurus

differ

differ verb 1 child-rearing patterns differ across cultural groups: vary, be different, be unlike, be dissimilar, be distinguishable, diverge. ANTONYMS coincide. 2 their beliefs differed from those of other religious parties: deviate from, depart from, run counter to, contradict, contrast with, conflict with, be incompatible with, be at odds with, be in opposition to, go against. ANTONYMS resemble. 3 lawyers differ about the best interpretation of the legislation: disagree, fail to agree, dissent, be at variance, be in dispute, be in opposition, take issue, conflict, clash, cross swords, lock horns, be at each other's throats; quarrel, argue, wrangle, quibble, squabble; informal fall out, scrap, argy-bargy, spat; archaic altercate. ANTONYMS agree.

difference

difference noun 1 there is no difference between the two accounts: dissimilarity, contrast, distinction, distinctness, differentiation; variance, variation, variability, divergence, deviation, polarity, gulf, breach, gap, split, disparity, imbalance, unevenness, incongruity, contradiction, contradistinction, nonconformity; rare unlikeness, contrariety, dissimilitude. ANTONYMS similarity. 2 the couple are patching up their differences: disagreement, difference of opinion, misunderstanding, dispute, disputation, argument, debate, quarrel, wrangle, altercation, contretemps, clash, controversy, dissension; informal tiff, set-to, run-in, spat, ruction; Brit. informal row, barney, bit of argy-bargy. 3 you pay a reduced amount and the bank makes up the difference: balance, outstanding amount, remaining amount, remainder, rest, residue, excess, extra; technical residuum.

different

different adjective 1 the plots of the two books are very different: dissimilar, unalike, unlike, non-identical, contrasting, divergent, disparate, poles apart; incompatible, mismatched, inconsistent, opposed, at variance, at odds, clashing, conflicting, contradictory, contrary; informal like chalk and cheese; rare contrastive. ANTONYMS similar. 2 suddenly everything in her life was different: changed, altered, modified, transformed, metamorphosed, other, new, unfamiliar, unknown, strange. ANTONYMS the same. 3 Gareth had tried fifteen different occupations: distinct, separate, individual, discrete, non-identical, unrelated, unconnected, unassociated, independent; disparate. ANTONYMS related, similar. 4 the Bible was interpreted differently by different groups of reformers: various, several, sundry, assorted, varied, varying, miscellaneous, diverse, diversified, manifold, multifarious; informal a mixed bag; literary divers. 5 he wanted to try something different: unusual, out of the ordinary, uncommon, unfamiliar, rare, unique, novel, new, fresh, original, unprecedented, unconventional, unorthodox, atypical, out of the way; special, singular, remarkable, noteworthy, exceptional, extraordinary, outrageous, outlandish, exotic; Brit. out of the common; informal way out, offbeat, off the wall. ANTONYMS ordinary, conventional. WORD LINKS different hetero- related prefix, as in heterogeneous, heterosexual allo- related prefix, as in allopathy, allotrope Word Links sections supply words that are related to the headword but do not normally appear in a thesaurus because they are not actual synonyms.

differential

differential adjective differential treatment is accorded to working- and middle-class crime: distinctive, different, dissimilar, contrasting, divergent, disparate, contrastive; distinguishing, discriminating, discriminatory. ANTONYMS similar, the same. ▶noun the cost differential is rapidly diminishing: difference, gap, gulf, divergence, disparity, discrepancy, imbalance, inequality, contrast, distinction. ANTONYMS uniformity.

differentiate

differentiate verb 1 he is no longer able to differentiate between fantasy and reality | birds can differentiate colours: distinguish, discriminate, make a distinction, draw a distinction, see a difference, discern a difference, tell the difference; discern, tell apart, recognize, identify, pick out, determine, contrast. 2 they understand what differentiates their business from all other booksellers: make different, distinguish, set apart, single out, separate, segregate, mark off, characterize, individualize, individuate. 3 the cells differentiate into a wide variety of types: transform, metamorphose, evolve, convert, change, become different, modify, alter, adapt.

differentiation

differentiation noun there is not enough differentiation between the two types of investment: distinction, distinctness, disparity, polarity, contrast, difference, divergence, separation, demarcation, delimitation. ANTONYMS association.

difficult

difficult adjective 1 digging through the snow was becoming increasingly difficult: hard, strenuous, arduous, laborious, heavy, tough, onerous, burdensome, demanding, punishing, gruelling, grinding, back-breaking, painful; exhausting, tiring, fatiguing, wearing, wearying, wearisome; informal hellish, killing; Brit. informal knackering; archaic toilsome; rare exigent. ANTONYMS easy. 2 she found maths very difficult: problematic, hard, puzzling, baffling, perplexing, confusing, mystifying, mysterious; complicated, complex, involved, intricate, knotty, thorny, ticklish; obscure, abstract, abstruse, recondite, enigmatic, impenetrable, unfathomable, over one's head, above one's head, beyond one; informal fiddly, sticky, no picnic; N. Amer. informal gnarly; archaic wildering; rare involute, involuted. ANTONYMS straightforward, simple. 3 the office manager was a difficult man: troublesome, tiresome, trying, exasperating, demanding, unmanageable, intractable, perverse, contrary, recalcitrant, obstreperous, refractory, fractious; unaccommodating, unhelpful, uncooperative, unamenable, unreasonable, disobliging, stubborn, obstinate, bull-headed, pig-headed; hard to please, hard to satisfy, fussy, particular, over-particular, fastidious, perfectionist, critical, hypercritical, finicky; Brit. awkward; Scottish thrawn; informal cussed; choosy, picky; Brit. informal bloody-minded, bolshie, stroppy; N. Amer. informal balky; archaic contumacious, froward; rare contrarious, finical. ANTONYMS accommodating. 4 you've come at a difficult time: inconvenient, awkward, unfavourable, unfortunate, inappropriate, unsuitable, untimely, ill-timed, inopportune, inexpedient, disadvantageous; archaic unseasonable. ANTONYMS convenient. 5 the family have been through very difficult times: bad, tough, grim, terrible, awful, dreadful, nightmarish, dark, black, hard, adverse, unpleasant, unwelcome, disagreeable, distressing, harrowing; straitened, hard-pressed; literary direful; archaic or humorous parlous. ANTONYMS happy.

difficulty

difficulty noun 1 her note had been penned with obvious difficulty: strain, struggling, awkwardness, trouble, toil, labour, laboriousness, strenuousness, arduousness; pains, problems, trials and tribulations; informal hassle, stress; literary dolour, travails. ANTONYMS ease. 2 the questions are arranged in order of difficulty: complexity, complicatedness, intricacy, perplexity, knottiness, awkwardness; difficultness, trickiness, hardness; obscurity, abstruseness. ANTONYMS simplicity. 3 the cost of the journey was not an insurmountable difficulty: problem, complication, disadvantage, snag, hitch, drawback, pitfall, handicap, impediment, hindrance, obstacle, hurdle, stumbling block, obstruction, barrier; informal fly in the ointment, prob, headache, hiccup, facer; Brit. informal spanner in the works; N. Amer. informal monkey wrench in the works; dated cumber; literary trammel. 4 they felt unable to ask for help when they were in difficulty: trouble, distress, crisis, hardship; adversity, extremity, need; hard times, dire straits; predicament, quandary, dilemma, plight; informal hot water, deep water, a fix, a jam, a spot, a scrape, a stew, a hole, a pickle.

diffidence

diffidence noun he regretted his diffidence and awkwardness in large groups: shyness, bashfulness, unassertiveness, modesty, modestness, self-effacement, humility, humbleness, meekness, timidity, timidness, timorousness, reserve, reticence, introversion; insecurity, self-doubt, apprehension, uncertainty, hesitancy, nervousness, reluctance, restraint, inhibition, unease, uneasiness; self-consciousness, shame, embarrassment, sheepishness. ANTONYMS confidence.

diffident

diffident adjective underneath his diffident exterior there was a passionate temperament: shy, bashful, modest, self-effacing, unassuming, unpresuming, humble, meek, unconfident, unassertive, timid, timorous, shrinking, reserved, withdrawn, introverted, inhibited; insecure, self-doubting, doubtful, wary, unsure, apprehensive, uncertain, hesitant, nervous, reluctant, fearful; self-conscious, ill at ease, ashamed, abashed, embarrassed, shamefaced, sheepish; Scottish mim; informal mousy. ANTONYMS confident; conceited. CHOOSE THE RIGHT WORD diffident, shy, bashful, timid See shy 1 . These notes show fine distinctions in meaning between closely related synonyms to help you find the best word.

diffuse

diffuse verb the light of the moon was diffused by cloud | such ideas were diffused widely in the 1970s: spread, spread out, spread around, send out, scatter, disperse; disseminate, distribute, dispense, put about, circulate, communicate, impart, purvey, propagate, transmit, broadcast, promulgate; literary bruit abroad. ANTONYMS concentrate; collect. ▶adjective 1 skylights give a diffuse illumination through the rooms: spread out, diffused, scattered, dispersed, not concentrated. ANTONYMS concentrated. 2 Tania's narrative is rather diffuse: verbose, wordy, prolix, long-winded, overlong, long-drawn-out, protracted, discursive, rambling, wandering, meandering, maundering, digressive, circuitous, roundabout, circumlocutory, periphrastic; loose, vague; informal windy, gassy; Brit. informal waffling; rare pleonastic, circumlocutionary, ambagious, logorrhoeic. ANTONYMS succinct. EASILY CONFUSED WORDS diffuse or defuse? The verbs diffuse and defuse are quite different in meaning, though they are sometimes confused on account of their similarity in sound. Diffuse means ‘scatter, spread widely ’ (power is diffused and decentralized ). Defuse, on the other hand, means ‘reduce the danger or tension in ’ (the agreement was designed to defuse a dangerous rivalry ).These notes clear up confusion between similar-looking pairs.

diffusion

diffusion noun he studies smoke diffusion in the atmosphere | the diffusion of Duchamp ’s thought and art: spreading, scattering, dispersal, dispersing; dissemination, disseminating, distribution, distributing, circulation, circulating, putting about, propagation, transmission, broadcasting, broadcast, promulgation, issuance; archaic bruiting.

Duden Dictionary

Diffamation

Dif fa ma ti on Substantiv, feminin , die |Diffamati o n |lateinisch-neulateinisch Diffamierung

diffamatorisch

dif fa ma to risch Adjektiv bildungssprachlich |diffamat o risch |mittellateinisch diffamatorius Verleumderisches enthaltend diffamatorische Äußerungen, Reden

Diffamie

Dif fa mie Substantiv, feminin , die |Diffam ie |1 ohne Plural verleumderische Bosheit die Diffamie seiner Äußerungen ist erschreckend 2 verleumderische, herabsetzende Äußerung, Beschimpfung der Zeitungsartikel ist voller Diffamien

diffamieren

dif fa mie ren schwaches Verb bildungssprachlich |diffam ie ren |schwaches Verb; Perfektbildung mit »hat « lateinisch diffamare, zu: dis- = entzwei, auseinander und fama = Gerede; Ruf verleumden, in einen schlechten Ruf bringen jemanden politisch diffamieren | jemanden als Betrüger diffamieren | diffamierende Äußerungen

Diffamierung

Dif fa mie rung Substantiv, feminin bildungssprachlich , die |Diffam ie rung |die Diffamierung, Diffamierungen das Diffamieren eine pauschale Diffamierung | die Diffamierung der Homosexualität, von Minderheiten

different

dif fe rent Adjektiv bildungssprachlich |differ e nt |zu lateinisch differens (Genitiv: differentis ), 1. Partizip von: differre, differieren ungleich, verschieden, voneinander abweichend differente Anschauungen

Differenz

Dif fe renz Substantiv, feminin , die |Differ e nz |die Differenz; Genitiv: der Differenz, Plural: die Differenzen lateinisch differentia = Verschiedenheit 1 a bildungssprachlich [in Zahlen ausdrückbarer, messbarer ] Unterschied (zwischen bestimmten Werten, Maßen o. Ä.) eine unbedeutende Differenz | eine Differenz von 50 Cent, von 6 km | die Differenz zwischen Einnahme und Ausgabe ist gravierend, erheblich b Mathematik Ergebnis einer Subtraktion die Differenz von, zwischen 10 und 8 beträgt, ist 2 c Kaufmannssprache falscher Betrag oder Fehlbetrag die Differenz ist durch einen Buchungsfehler entstanden 2 meist im Plural Meinungsverschiedenheit, Unstimmigkeit persönliche Differenzen | eine kleine Differenz , Differenzen mit jemandem haben

Differenzbetrag

Dif fe renz be trag Substantiv, maskulin , der |Differ e nzbetrag |Betrag, der die Differenz 1 zwischen zwei Geldsummen ausmacht

Differenzenquotient

Dif fe ren zen quo ti ent Substantiv, maskulin Mathematik , der |Differ e nzenquotient |der Differenzenquotient; Genitiv: des Differenzenquotienten, Plural: die Differenzenquotienten Quotient aus der Differenz zweier Funktionswerte vgl. (Funktion ) und der Differenz der entsprechenden Argumente

Differenzgeschäft

Dif fe renz ge schäft Substantiv, Neutrum , das |Differ e nzgeschäft |Börsentermingeschäft, bei dem nicht Lieferung und Bezahlung des Kaufobjekts, sondern nur die Zahlung der Kursdifferenz zwischen Vertragskurs und Kurs am Erfüllungstag an den gewinnenden Partner vereinbart wird

differenzial

dif fe ren zi al , dif fe ren ti al Adjektiv bildungssprachlich differential |differenzi a l differenti a l |differenziell

Differenzial

Dif fe ren zi al , Dif fe ren ti al Substantiv, Neutrum , das Differential |Differenzi a l Differenti a l |das Differenzial; Genitiv: des Differenzials, Plural: die Differenziale das Differential; Genitiv: des Differentials, Plural: die Differentiale zu Differenz 1 Mathematik Zuwachs einer Funktion bei einer [kleinen ] Änderung ihres Arguments 2 2 Kurzwort für: Differenzialgetriebe

Differenzialanalysator

Dif fe ren zi al ana ly sa tor , Dif fe ren ti al ana ly sa tor Substantiv, maskulin früher , der Differentialanalysator |Differenzi a lanalysator Differenti a lanalysator |der Differenzialanalysator; Genitiv: des Differenzialanalysators, Plural: die Differenzialanalysatoren der Differentialanalysator; Genitiv: des Differentialanalysators, Plural: die Differentialanalysatoren Rechenmaschine zur Lösung von Differenzialgleichungen

Differenzialdiagnose

Dif fe ren zi al di a g no se , Dif fe ren ti al di a g no se Dif fe ren zi al di a gno se Substantiv, feminin Medizin , die Differentialdiagnose |Differenzi a ldiagnose Differenti a ldiagnose |die Differenzialdiagnose; Genitiv: der Differenzialdiagnose, Plural: die Differenzialdiagnosen die Differentialdiagnose; Genitiv: der Differentialdiagnose, Plural: die Differentialdiagnosen a Krankheitsbestimmung durch unterscheidende, abgrenzende Gegenüberstellung mehrerer Krankheitsbilder mit ähnlichen Symptomen b jede der bei der Differenzialdiagnostik konkurrierenden Diagnosen 1

Differenzialdiagnostik

Dif fe ren zi al di a g nos tik, Dif fe ren ti al di a g nos tik Dif fe ren zi al di a gnos tik Substantiv, feminin Medizin , die Differentialdiagnostik |Differenzi a ldiagnostik Differenti a ldiagnostik |die Differenzialdiagnostik; Genitiv: der Differenzialdiagnostik, Plural: die Differenzialdiagnostiken die Differentialdiagnostik; Genitiv: der Differentialdiagnostik, Plural: die Differentialdiagnostiken Differenzialdiagnose a

Differenzialgeometrie

Dif fe ren zi al geo me t rie , Dif fe ren ti al geo me t rie Dif fe ren zi al geo me trie Substantiv, feminin , die Differentialgeometrie |Differenzi a lgeometrie Differenti a lgeometrie |die Differenzialgeometrie; Genitiv: der Differenzialgeometrie die Differentialgeometrie; Genitiv: der Differentialgeometrie Gebiet der Mathematik, in dem die Differenzialrechnung auf Flächen und Kurven angewandt wird

Differenzialgetriebe

Dif fe ren zi al ge trie be , Dif fe ren ti al ge trie be Substantiv, Neutrum Kfz-Technik , das Differentialgetriebe |Differenzi a lgetriebe Differenti a lgetriebe |Getriebe, das bei Kurvenfahrt die unterschiedlichen Drehzahlen der Antriebsräder ausgleicht; Ausgleichsgetriebe Kurzform: Differenzial 2

Differenzialgleichung

Dif fe ren zi al glei chung, Dif fe ren ti al glei chung Substantiv, feminin Mathematik , die Differentialgleichung |Differenzi a lgleichung Differenti a lgleichung |Gleichung für eine Funktion, in der außer der gesuchten Funktion mindestens eine ihrer Ableitungen vorkommt

Differenzialquotient

Dif fe ren zi al quo ti ent , Dif fe ren ti al quo ti ent Substantiv, maskulin Mathematik , der Differentialquotient |Differenzi a lquotient Differenti a lquotient |a Grundgröße der Differenzialrechnung b Grenzwert des Quotienten, der den Tangentenwinkel bestimmt

Differenzialrechnung

Dif fe ren zi al rech nung, Dif fe ren ti al rech nung Substantiv, feminin Mathematik , die Differentialrechnung |Differenzi a lrechnung Differenti a lrechnung |1 ohne Plural das Rechnen mit Differenzialen 1 2 Rechnung aus dem Gebiet der Differenzialrechnung 1

Differenzialrente

Dif fe ren zi al ren te , Dif fe ren ti al ren te Substantiv, feminin , die Differentialrente |Differenzi a lrente Differenti a lrente |die Differenzialrente; Genitiv: der Differenzialrente, Plural: die Differenzialrenten die Differentialrente; Genitiv: der Differentialrente, Plural: die Differentialrenten Einkommen, das ein Produzent erzielt, wenn er bei gleichem Preis niedrigere Produktionskosten als seine Konkurrenten hat

Differenzialschaltung

Dif fe ren zi al schal tung , Dif fe ren ti al schal tung Substantiv, feminin Elektrotechnik , die Differentialschaltung |Differenzi a lschaltung Differenti a lschaltung |elektrische Schaltung, in der sich die Differenz zweier elektrischer Spannungen oder Ströme oder zweier anderer in elektrische Spannungen oder Ströme umgewandelter physikalischer Größen auswirkt

Differenziat

Dif fe ren zi at , Dif fe ren ti at Substantiv, Neutrum , das Differentiat |Differenzi a t Differenti a t |das Differenziat; Genitiv: des Differenziats, Plural: die Differenziate das Differentiat; Genitiv: des Differentiats, Plural: die Differentiate durch Differenziation 1 1 b entstandenes Mineral und Gestein

Differenziation

Dif fe ren zi a ti on , Dif fe ren ti a ti on Substantiv, feminin , die Differentiation |Differenziati o n Differentiati o n |die Differenziation; Genitiv: der Differenziation, Plural: die Differenziationen die Differentiation; Genitiv: der Differentiation, Plural: die Differentiationen 1 Geologie Aufspaltung, Zerfall einer homogenen Gesteinsschmelze in verschiedene Mineralien, Gesteine 2 Mathematik Berechnung des Differenzialquotienten einer Funktion 3 Sprachwissenschaft Auseinanderentwicklung von Sprachen aus einer gemeinsamen Ursprache

Differenziator

Dif fe ren zi a tor , Dif fe ren ti a tor Substantiv, maskulin , der Differentiator |Differenzi a tor Differenti a tor |der Differenziator; Genitiv: des Differenziators, Plural: die Differenziatoren der Differentiator; Genitiv: des Differentiators, Plural: die Differentiatoren Derivator

differenziell

dif fe ren zi ell , dif fe ren ti ell Adjektiv bildungssprachlich differentiell |differenzi e ll differenti e ll |unterscheidend, einen Unterschied darstellend, begründend differenzielle Merkmale

differenzierbar

dif fe ren zier bar Adjektiv |differenz ie rbar |1 bildungssprachlich sich differenzieren lassend die Unterschiede sind nicht stärker differenzierbar 2 Mathematik (von einer Funktion 2 ) für eine Differenziation 2 geeignet differenzierbare Funktionen

Differenzierbarkeit

Dif fe ren zier bar keit Substantiv, feminin , die |Differenz ie rbarkeit |die Differenzierbarkeit; Genitiv: der Differenzierbarkeit Eignung einer Funktion 2 zur Differenziation 2

differenzieren

dif fe ren zie ren schwaches Verb |differenz ie ren |schwaches Verb; Perfektbildung mit »hat « zu Differenz 1 a bildungssprachlich genau, fein, bis ins Einzelne unterscheiden zwischen zwei Erscheinungen differenzieren | bei dieser Frage muss man differenzieren | du solltest deine Urteile differenzieren | genauer differenzierende Methoden b sich differenzieren bildungssprachlich (von etwas Einfachem, Ungegliedertem ) sich zu einer komplizierten Struktur fortentwickeln, entfalten die Bereiche der Technik differenzieren sich immer stärker 2 Mathematik die Ableitung (den Differenzialquotienten ) einer Funktion bilden eine Funktion differenzieren

differenziert

dif fe ren ziert Adjektiv bildungssprachlich |differenz ie rt |fein bis ins Einzelne abgestuft, nuanciert die Wissenschaft hat heute viel differenziertere Methoden | sie urteilt sehr differenziert

Differenziertheit

Dif fe ren ziert heit Substantiv, feminin , die |Differenz ie rtheit |Unterschiedlichkeit; Abgestuftsein

Differenzierung

Dif fe ren zie rung Substantiv, feminin , die |Differenz ie rung |die Differenzierung; Genitiv: der Differenzierung, Plural: die Differenzierungen 1 a das Differenzieren 1a 1a, 2 b feine, bis ins Einzelne gehende Unterscheidung Differenzierungen vornehmen | sich um begriffliche Differenzierung bemühen 2 a Biologie Bildung verschiedener Gewebe aus ursprünglich gleichartigen Zellen b Biologie Aufspaltung systematischer Gruppen im Verlauf der Stammesgeschichte 3 Mathematik Behandlung einer Funktion nach den Regeln der Differenzialrechnung

Differenzierungsprozess

Dif fe ren zie rungs pro zess Substantiv, maskulin , der |Differenz ie rungsprozess |Prozess, Ablauf des Differenzierens, Sichdifferenzierens

Differenzton

Dif fe renz ton Substantiv, maskulin , der |Differ e nzton |der Differenzton; Genitiv: des Differenzton [e ]s, Plural: die Differenztöne Kombinationston

differieren

dif fe rie ren schwaches Verb bildungssprachlich |differ ie ren |schwaches Verb; Perfektbildung mit »hat « lateinisch differre, eigentlich = auseinandertragen, zu: dis- = auseinander und ferre = tragen voneinander verschieden sein, abweichen die Ansichten differierten in manchen Punkten | die Preise differieren um zehn Euro

diffizil

dif fi zil Adjektiv bildungssprachlich |diffiz i l |französisch difficile < lateinisch difficilis = nicht leicht zu tun, zu: facere = machen, tun a schwierig, nicht leicht [zu bewältigen ]; peinliche Genauigkeit fordernd; kompliziert eine sehr diffizile Arbeit | die Methoden sind äußerst diffizil b einen schwierigen Charakter habend, schwer zu behandeln ein sehr diffiziler Mensch | sie ist in allen Dingen sehr diffizil

Diffluenz

Dif flu enz Substantiv, feminin Geologie , die |Difflu e nz |die Diffluenz; Genitiv: der Diffluenz, Plural: die Diffluenzen lateinisch Gabelung eines Gletschers; Gegensatz Konfluenz

difform

dif form Adjektiv |diff o rm |lateinisch-neulateinisch fehlgebildet

Difformität

Dif for mi tät Substantiv, feminin Medizin , die |Difformit ä t |die Difformität; Genitiv: der Difformität, Plural: die Difformitäten Fehlbildung

diffrakt

dif frakt Adjektiv Botanik |diffr a kt |lateinisch zerbrochen

Diffraktion

Dif frak ti on Substantiv, feminin Physik , die |Diffrakti o n |Beugung der Lichtwellen und anderer Wellen

diffundieren

dif fun die ren schwaches Verb |diffund ie ren |lateinisch diffundere = ausströmen, sich verbreiten 1 Perfektbildung mit »ist « Chemie in einen anderen Stoff eindringen; verschmelzen 2 Perfektbildung mit »hat « Physik (von Strahlen ) zerstreuen

diffus

dif fus Adjektiv |diff u s |lateinisch diffusus = ausgebreitet, adjektivisches 2. Partizip von: diffundere, diffundieren 1 Physik, Chemie unregelmäßig zerstreut, nicht scharf begrenzt, ohne einheitliche Richtung eine diffuse Strahlung | diffuses Licht (Streulicht ) | diffus abgestrahlt werden 2 bildungssprachlich unklar, ungeordnet, konturlos, verschwommen diffuse Ziele verfolgen | eine diffuse Angst haben | mein Eindruck bleibt diffus

Diffusat

Dif fu sat Substantiv, Neutrum Chemie , das |Diffus a t |das Diffusat; Genitiv: des Diffusats, Plural: die Diffusate lateinisch-neulateinisch durch Diffusion entstandene Mischung; Produkt einer Verschmelzung verschiedener Stoffe

Diffusion

Dif fu si on Substantiv, feminin , die |Diffusi o n |die Diffusion; Genitiv: der Diffusion, Plural: die Diffusionen lateinisch diffusio = das Auseinanderfließen 1 a Physik, Chemie (von Gasen, Flüssigkeiten ) Verschmelzung, gegenseitige Durchdringung b Physik Streuung des Lichts 2 Bergbau Wetteraustausch

Diffusor

Dif fu sor Substantiv, maskulin , der |Diff u sor |der Diffusor; Genitiv: des Diffusors, Plural: die Diffusoren 1 Technik Teil in einer Rohrleitung, dessen Querschnitt sich erweitert 2 Fotografie transparente, das Licht streuende Plastikscheibe zur Erweiterung des Messwinkels bei Lichtmessern

French Dictionary

diffamant

diffamant , ante adj. adjectif Qui porte atteinte à la réputation de quelqu ’un par des paroles, des écrits dénués de fondement. : Ce quotidien a publié des articles diffamants. SYNONYME calomnieux ; diffamatoire ; faux ; mensonger .

diffamateur

diffamateur , trice adj. et n. m. et f. adjectif et nom masculin et féminin Calomniateur, qui répand des faussetés sur quelqu ’un, quelque chose.

diffamation

diffamation n. f. nom féminin 1 Écrit ou parole diffamatoire. 2 droit Allégation d ’un fait qui est de nature à porter atteinte à la réputation de quelqu ’un.

diffamatoire

diffamatoire adj. adjectif Qui a pour but de diffamer. : Un texte diffamatoire. SYNONYME calomnieux ; diffamant ; faux ; mensonger .

diffamer

diffamer v. tr. verbe transitif Porter atteinte à la réputation de quelqu ’un par des paroles, des écrits non fondés. Note Sémantique Ne pas confondre avec les verbes suivants: • décrier, déprécier avec force, faire perdre la réputation, l ’autorité; • dénigrer, chercher à diminuer la valeur d ’une personne, d ’une chose; • discréditer, souiller la réputation en dépréciant ou en diffamant; • vilipender, traiter avec mépris. aimer

différé

différé , ée adj. adjectif Remis à plus tard. : Une réunion différée. SYNONYME reporté . LOCUTION En différé. Se dit d ’une émission enregistrée avant sa diffusion (par opposition à en direct ). : Une émission transmise en différé.

différemment

différemment adv. adverbe De façon différente. : Je pense différemment de mes parents. SYNONYME autrement . Prononciation Les lettres em se prononcent a, [diferamɑ̃ ] Note Orthographique différ e mment.

différence

différence n. f. nom féminin 1 Ce qui distingue une chose d ’une autre. : Ces vrais jumeaux ne semblent avoir aucune différence. SYNONYME distinction ; particularité . 2 Écart. : Il y a deux ans de différence entre Étienne et Marie-Ève. 3 Résultat de la soustraction de deux nombres. : La différence entre 10 et 6 est 4. LOCUTIONS À cette différence près que Avec cette différence que. À la différence de Par opposition à. : À la différence d ’Antoine, François est très sérieux.

différenciation

différenciation n. f. nom féminin 1 biologie Spécialisation, diversification des organismes vivants. : La différenciation cellulaire. 2 par extension Action de différencier ou fait de se différencier en faisant ressortir les caractères distinctifs. : La différenciation nécessaire de notre économie. 3 Mise en valeur d ’un produit, d ’un service pour créer un écart avec les concurrents et mieux assurer sa vente. Note Sémantique Ne pas confondre avec le nom différentiation, opération mathématique destinée à obtenir la différentielle d ’une fonction. Note Orthographique différen c iation, comme dans différence.

différencier

différencier v. tr. , pronom. verbe transitif 1 Distinguer par une différence. : Il tente de différencier des champignons. 2 Faire la distinction entre. : Il n ’est pas facile de différencier le vrai du (et non *d ’avec le ) faux. Note Syntaxique À la forme transitive, le verbe se construit avec un complément direct suivi de la préposition de. verbe pronominal 1 Se distinguer par une différence. : Les deux jumeaux se différencient par une coupe de cheveux distincte. SYNONYME singulariser . 2 Acquérir des caractères distinctifs. : Ces nouveaux produits doivent se différencier pour connaître une large diffusion. Note Syntaxique À la forme pronominale, le verbe se construit avec la préposition par. Note Grammaticale À la forme pronominale, le participe passé de ce verbe s ’accorde toujours en genre et en nombre avec son sujet. Ils se sont différenciés de façon originale. étudier Conjugaison Redoublement du i à la première et à la deuxième personne du pluriel de l ’indicatif imparfait et du subjonctif présent. (Que ) nous différenciions, (que ) vous différenciiez.

différend

différend n. m. nom masculin Désaccord. : Il a un grave différend avec eux à ce sujet. Régler un différend. SYNONYME dispute ; querelle . Note Orthographique différen d, un d final.

différent

différent , ente adj. adjectif qualificatif Distinct. : Ils sont très différents les uns des autres. SYNONYME autre . adjectif indéfini pluriel Certains. : Différentes personnes ont écrit. SYNONYME divers ; plusieurs . Note Sémantique Ne pas confondre avec le participe présent invariable différant. Des couleurs différant d ’autres couleurs par leur intensité.

différentiation

différentiation n. f. mathématiques Opération destinée à obtenir la différentielle d ’une fonction. Note Sémantique Ne pas confondre avec le nom différenciation, action de différencier; son résultat.

différentiel

différentiel n. m. nom masculin Combinaison d ’engrenages. : Le différentiel de la voiture est endommagé.

différentiel

différentiel , ielle adj. adjectif Relatif à une ou à des différences. : Un tarif différentiel. Calcul différentiel.

différentielle

différentielle n. f. nom féminin mathématiques Fonction linéaire.

différentier

différentier v. tr. verbe transitif mathématiques Calculer la différentielle de. étudier Conjugaison Redoublement du i à la première et à la deuxième personne du pluriel de l ’indicatif imparfait et du subjonctif présent. (Que ) nous différentiions, (que ) vous différentiiez.

différer

différer v. tr. , intr. verbe transitif Remettre à plus tard. : Nos collègues ont différé la réunion à la semaine prochaine. SYNONYME reporter ; retarder . verbe intransitif 1 Être différent. : Mes prévisions diffèrent des vôtres. SYNONYME varier . Note Syntaxique En ce sens, le verbe se construit avec la préposition de. 2 absolument Avoir un avis différent. : Nous différons à propos de ce parti, sur ce point, à l ’égard de ce choix, en cela. posséder Conjugaison Le é se change en è devant une syllabe contenant un e muet, sauf à l ’indicatif futur et au conditionnel présent. Je diffère, mais je différerai.

difficile

difficile adj. adjectif 1 Ardu, compliqué. : Ce problème est trop difficile, je ne trouve pas la solution. SYNONYME complexe ; malaisé . ANTONYME facile . 2 Pénible. : Des heures difficiles. 3 Embarrassant, délicat. : Une question difficile.

difficilement

difficilement adv. adverbe Avec difficulté. : Mon grand-père marche difficilement, car il a mal au dos.

difficulté

difficulté n. f. nom féminin 1 Caractère d ’une chose difficile, complexe. : Ce dossier présente un problème; pourrez-vous éluder cette difficulté? Les difficultés de la langue française. La solution d ’une difficulté. SYNONYME complexité . ANTONYME facilité ; simplicité . 2 Obstacle, empêchement. : Éprouver des difficultés à joindre les deux bouts. Vous arriverez à surmonter cette difficulté, à la vaincre, à lever cette difficulté, à en venir à bout, à triompher de cette difficulté. SYNONYME ennui ; problème . LOCUTIONS Avec difficulté Difficilement. : C ’est avec difficulté que nous avons réussi à le convaincre. Avoir des difficultés avec une personne. Ne pas être d ’accord avec elle. En cas de difficulté. En cas de problème. : En cas de difficulté, n ’hésitez pas à communiquer avec nous. En difficulté. Dont la situation est problématique. : Des embarcations en difficulté. Faire des difficultés. Créer des obstacles, faire objection à quelque chose, invoquer des problèmes pour ne pas accepter. : Ne fais pas de difficultés, viens fêter avec nous! Mettre en difficulté. Compromettre, rendre vulnérable. : Des entreprises mises en difficulté par la récession. Sans difficulté Sans problème, facilement. : Nous pourrons nous retrouver sans difficulté. SYNONYME sans peine . Note Technique Le nom difficulté demeure généralement au singulier dans les expressions en cas de difficulté, en difficulté, sans difficulté, avec difficulté.

difforme

difforme adj. adjectif Qui n ’a pas une forme normale. : Une grenouille difforme.

difformité

difformité n. f. nom féminin Malformation. SYNONYME déformation .

diffus

diffus , use adj. adjectif Répandu dans différentes directions. : Un son diffus, une lumière diffuse. Note Orthographique diffu s.

diffusément

diffusément adv. adverbe De façon diffuse.

diffuser

diffuser v. tr. verbe transitif 1 Répandre. : Ce radiateur diffuse de la chaleur. SYNONYME propager . 2 Émettre par les médias. : Diffuser une nouvelle dans les journaux. 3 Assurer la distribution commerciale d ’une publication, d ’un produit culturel. : Diffuser un roman, une revue scientifique. SYNONYME distribuer ; publier . aimer

diffusion

diffusion n. f. nom féminin 1 Action de diffuser une onde, une substance. : La diffusion d ’un éclairage. 2 Action de transmettre par la radio, la télévision. : La diffusion d ’un bulletin de nouvelles. SYNONYME transmission . 3 Action de distribuer commercialement un ouvrage, un produit culturel. : La diffusion d ’un manuel, d ’une revue littéraire.

Sanseido Wisdom Dictionary

differ

dif fer /dɪ́fə r / (! 強勢は第1音節 ) 〖dif (別々に )fer (運ぶ )〗(名 )difference, (形 )different, (動 )differentiate 動詞～s /-z /; ～ed /-d /; ～ing /dɪ́f (ə )rɪŋ /自動詞 1 ｟かたく｠〖differ from A (in B )〗〈人物事が〉A 〈人物事など〉と (B 〈性質など〉において ) 異なる , 相違する ; 〈2つ以上の人物事が〉 «…の点で /…の間で » 違う «in /between » (!inの後にはthat節またはdoingも可能 ) ▸ How does the film differ from the original? その映画は原作とどのように異なりますか ▸ The two cars differ little in size .その2台の車は大きさの点でほとんど違いがない ▸ Customs differ from country to country .習慣は国によって異なる ▸ Opinions differ as to how high cats can hear .ネコがどの程度高い音を聞き取れるかについてはさまざまな意見がある ▸ differ greatly [significantly, widely ]大きく異なる 2 ｟主に書｠ «…と /…の点で » 〈人など〉が意見が異なる [合わない ] «with, from /about, on, over » ▸ They differed with me on [about, over ] that plan .彼らはその計画に関して私と意見が違っていた I b è g to d í ffer .｟かたい話丁寧に｠ご意見には同意しかねます .

difference

dif fer ence /dɪ́fr (ə )ns /→differ 名詞複～s /-ɪz /1 U «…の間の /…における /…との » 違い, 相違 (点 ); 区別 ; (大きな )変化 «between /in /from » (↔similarity ) (!具体例ではa ～/～s; その際しばしば修飾語を伴う ) ▸ There's a big [an important, a significant ] difference between the two .その2つの間には大きな [重大な ]違いがある ▸ a small [slight, subtle ] difference ささいな違い ▸ The most obvious difference in the way people speak English is in pronunciation .人々の英語の話し方における最も明白な違いは発音にある ▸ I cannot tell the difference between the twins .私にはその双子の区別ができない 2 U «…における /…の間の » (数量の )差 , 差異 ; 差額 «in /between » (!具体例ではa ～; その際しばしば修飾語を伴う ) ▸ difference in size [age ]大きさ [年齢 ]の差 ▸ price [temperature ] difference 価格 [温度 ]差 ▸ a difference of five pounds 5ポンドの差 ▸ pay the difference 差額を支払う 3 C 〖しばしばone 's ～s 〗 «…の間での /…との /…に関して » 意見の不一致 [相違 ], 不和, 紛争 «between /with /about , over » ▸ a difference of opinion 意見の不一致 ▸ irreconcilable differences 収拾のめどのない不和 ▸ resolve [settle ] differences 意見の不一致を解決する ▸ All the members of the committee had their differences with the chairman .委員会のすべてのメンバーたちは議長と意見を異にしていた 4 C 〘紋章〙(分家などを示すための )部分的変更 .5 U 〘数〙差分 ; 差集合 ; 〘論〙差異 .b ù ry [｟英｠s ì nk ] one's d í fferences 意見の相違を乗り越えて協力する .m à ke a d í fference «…にとって /…において /…の間で » 重要である ; 影響が出る ; 違いが生じる ; 〖否定文で〗重要でない ; 影響が出ない ; 違いが生じない «to /in /between » (!differenceにはaのほかに通例程度を表す形容詞などを伴う ) ▸ A good teacher makes all the difference .優れた先生は大変に重要である ▸ It makes no difference where you are from .あなたがどこの出身であるかは関係ない [重要でない ] (!itは形式主語 ) ▸ Studying abroad has made a lot of [a great deal of ] difference to me .海外で勉強したことは私にとって多大な影響があった ▸ for all the difference it makes ほとんど違いがないことを考慮に入れて .m à ke up the d í fference 差額を埋め合わせする .S à me d í fference .｟話｠同じ事 [物 ]だ, 違いなどない .spl ì t the d í fference (金額量などで )妥協する, 折り合う, 中間をとる .Wh à t's the d í fference?｟くだけて｠どこが違うの ; 〖反語的に〗たいした違いはないじゃないの .with a d í fference ｟くだけて肯定的に｠〖名詞の後で〗おもしろい, 珍しい, 普通と違った, ひと味違った〈物事〉.動詞他動詞 …に区別をつける ; 〘紋章〙(分家などを示すために )〈紋章〉に部分的変更を加える .

different

dif fer ent /dɪ́fr (ə )nt /→differ 形容詞 more ～; most ～1 〖be different from [than, to ] A 〗Aとは違う , 異なる ; «…の点で » 違った «in » ▸ My opinion is no [very, quite ] different from yours .私の意見は君の意見と同じだ [非常に違っている ]▸ Tom's background is completely [totally, entirely ] different to Ken's .トムの経歴は健の経歴とまったく異なる ▸ The results are slightly different than we expected .結果は私たちが予想したのとはわずかに異なっている ▸ All individuals are different in character .人は皆性格が異なっているコーパスの窓 be … different from [than, to ] A 1 後続する句比較の対象として語または句が後続するときには, ｟米｠｟英｠ともにfromが最も標準的であり, 頻度も高い. これに加えて, ｟主に米｠ではthanが, ｟英主に話｠ではtoが用いられる .2 後続する節省略節が後続するときには, 一般的にthanが用いられる (↑第3例 )が, what節が来る場合はfrom, toがよく用いられる ▸ He is different than he used to be. ≒He is different from [to , than ] what he used to be .彼は以前の彼とは違っている .3 程度を表す副詞いずれの前置詞が後続する場合も7割以上は程度を表す副詞を伴う. 違いを強調する場合はquite, so, very, far, completely, totallyなど, 違いがない場合はno, 少ない場合は (a ) little, a bit, slightlyなどが一般的. much, any, all thatなどは主に否定文で用いられる .｟作文のポイント｠兄とは違ってトムは大学に行かなかった .×Different from his brother, Tom didn't go to college .○Unlike his brother, Tom didn't go to college .❢different fromを副詞句のようには使えない .2 比較なし〖名詞の前で〗別々の , «…とは » 別の «from » ▸ I went home with homework for five different classes .私は5つの授業の宿題を持って家に帰った 3 〖名詞の前で〗さまざまな , 種々の (various )▸ We have different kinds and colors of curtains .いろいろな種類と色のカーテンがございます (!名詞は複数形 ) 4 ｟話｠〖通例be ～〗珍しい, 独特な, 風変わりな (!自分の好みでないことを暗示 ) ▸ Your hairstyle is a bit different .君の髪型はちょっと変わってるね .5 〖副詞的に〗違って ▸ think different 考え方を変える Th à t's d í fferent .｟話｠それとこれとは別だ, それはまた別の問題だ .

differential

dif fer en tial /dɪ̀fərénʃ (ə )l /名詞 1 C ｟かたく｠a. «…の間の » 差 (異 ), 差額 «between » .b. ｟英｠(同一企業内の労働者間の )賃金格差 .2 U 〘数〙微分 .3 C 差動歯車 (differential gear ).形容詞 1 ｟かたく｠〖名詞の前で〗区別の, 差別の, 差別的な .2 特異な, 特性を示す .3 〘数〙微分の .4 〘物理機〙差動の .～̀ c á lculus 〖(the ) ～〗〘数〙微分 (学 ).～́ coeff í cient 〘数〙微 (分 )係数 .～̀ equ á tion 〘数〙微分方程式 .

differentiate

dif fer en ti ate /dɪfərénʃièɪt /→differ 動詞～s /-ts /; ～d /-ɪd /; -ating 他動詞 1 〈人物事が〉 (正確に )…を区別 [識別 ]する ; 〖～ A from B 〗〈人物事が〉A 〈人物事など〉とBを見分ける (distinguish )▸ We learned to differentiate African elephants from Indian ones .私たちはアフリカ象とインド象の見分け方を覚えた 2 〖～ A from B 〗〈ある特徴事実性格などが〉AをBと区別する, 区別するのに役立つ ▸ What differentiates him from other science fiction writers?彼がほかのSF小説作家と違う点は何ですか 3 〈細胞など〉を分化させる .4 〘数〙…を微分する .自動詞 1 〈人物事が〉【二者を】(正確に )区別 [識別 ]する (distinguish ); 差別する (discriminate ) «between » ▸ differentiate between the mind and the brain 精神と脳を区別する 2 〈細胞などが〉 «…に /…から » 分化する «into /from » ▸ The cells began to differentiate into the various parts of the body .その細胞は体のさまざまな部分に分化し始めた

differentiation

d ì f fer è n ti á tion 名詞 U 区別, 識別 ; 差別 ; 分化 .

differently

d í f fer ent ly 副詞〖通例動詞の後で〗 «…と (は )» 異なって, 違うように〈考える扱うなど〉 «from , than , to » ▸ no differently from A Aとまったく同じように .

difficult

dif fi cult /dɪ́fɪk (ə )lt /→difficulty 形容詞 more ～; most ～1 〈物事が〉 «…にとって /…するのが » 難しい , 困難な «for /to do » (↔easy ) (!hardやtoughよりかたい語で深刻な内容を話題にする際に好まれる ) ; 〖it is difficult (for A ) to do 〗(A 〈人〉にとって [Aが ])…することは難しい (!to doの代わりにdoingを用いることがあるがきわめて｟まれ｠; →it 代名詞 4a ) ; 〖be difficult (for A ) to do 〗〈事人物が〉(A 〈人〉にとって [Aが ])…しにくい (!｟コーパス｠前者の構文と共にfor Aを伴うのは文脈から推定できない場合に限られ2割足らずにすぎない; いずれの構文についても詳しくは →easy 1 , for 17a, 18 ) ▸ It was a difficult decision for me .それは私にとって難しい決断だった ▸ a difficult question to answer ≒｟まれ｠a question difficult to answer 答えにくい質問 (!後者のようにdifficultを後置すると一時的な性質を暗示する ) ▸ It is difficult for me to explain the idea. ≒The idea is difficult for me to explain. ≒Explaining [｟まれ｠To explain ] the idea is difficult for me .その考えを説明することは私にとって困難だ (!(1 ) 2番目の構文ではexplainの意味上の目的語が主語the ideaであることに注意. (2 )╳ It is difficult that …や ╳ I am difficult to explain …としない ) ▸ I found it difficult to talk with my father .私は父と話をするのが苦手だった ▸ The sun behind Tom's head made it difficult for me to look into his face .トムの頭の後ろに太陽があったので彼の顔が見にくかった 2 〈状況時期事などが〉【人にとって】問題の多い , 苦しい , つらい, 面倒な ; 〈時間帯などが〉都合が悪い «for » ▸ be in a difficult situation 苦しい立場にいる ▸ I'm having a very difficult time writing an essay .エッセイを書くのに大変苦労しているところだ ▸ The problem made life difficult for me .その問題のために人生は私にとって苦しいものとなった ▸ a difficult birth 難産 .3 〈人が〉 «…するのに » 気難しい , 扱いにくい, 頑固な «to do » ▸ a difficult child 扱いにくい [手の焼ける ]子供 ▸ John, don't be difficult !ジョン, 無茶を言わないで .

difficulty

dif fi cul ty /dɪ́fɪk (ə )lti, -kʌlti / (! 強勢は第1音節 ) 〖dif (打ち消し )ficulty (容易 )〗(形 )difficult 名詞複 -ties /-z /1 U «…(すること )における /…についての » 難しさ, 困難 , 苦難, 苦労 «in (do ing )/with , about » ; (テストなどの )難易度 ▸ I had (great ) [had little ] difficulty (｟かたく｠in ) losing weight .体重を減らすのに (大変 )苦労した [ほとんど苦労しなかった ](╳… difficulty to lose weightとしない )▸ I had the most difficulty with math .数学がいちばん苦手だった ▸ I wrote it down with some [a little ] difficulty .私は少しばかり苦労してそれを書き取った ▸ He has done the work without (any ) difficulty [(too ) much difficulty ].彼は何の [あまり ]苦労もなくその仕事をやってのけた ▸ talk about the difficulty of doing research 研究活動の難しさについて語る 2 C U «…(すること )における /…についての » やっかいな [困った ]事柄 , 難事, 障害 (!many, a fewなどによる修飾は可能だが, 通例one, twoなど具体的数詞と共に用いない ) ; 〖通例 -ties 〗困った状態 [立場 ] «in (do ing )/with , about » ▸ face a difficulty 難事に直面する ▸ get [run ] into difficulties 困難な状態に陥る (!時にdifficultiesの代わりにdifficultyが用いられる ) ▸ be in difficulty [｟主に英｠difficulties ]危機に瀕（ひん）している ▸ We're having [experiencing ] financial [technical ] difficulties .我々は経済 [技術 ]的障害を抱えている ▸ a child with learning [breathing, hearing, visual ] difficulties 学習 [呼吸, 聴覚, 視覚 ]障害のある子供 ▸ There is a difficulty here .ここにひとつ問題がある ▸ overcome many difficulties 多くの障害を克服する 3 U C いざこざ, もめごと ; 争い, 口論 .

diffidence

dif fi dence /dɪ́fɪd (ə )ns /名詞 U 自信のなさ, 内気 ; 気おくれ, 遠慮 (↔confidence ).

diffident

dif fi dent /dɪ́fɪd (ə )nt /形容詞 «…に » 自信のない, 内気な ; 気おくれした, 遠慮がちな «about » (↔confident ).～ly 副詞自信がなさそうに, 遠慮がちに .

diffract

dif fract /dɪfrǽkt /動詞他動詞〘物理〙〈光音など〉を回折する .

diffraction

dif fr á c tion 名詞 U 〘物理〙(光線音波などの )回折 .

diffuse

dif fuse /dɪfjúːz / (! 動詞と形容詞で発音が異なるので注意 ) 〖dif (離れて )fuse (注ぐ )〗動詞～s /-ɪz /; ～d /-d /; -fusing 他動詞｟かたく｠1 〈熱ガス光におい液体など〉を拡散 [放散 ]する , 散らす ▸ diffuse heat 熱を放散する 2 〈知識情報など〉を広める, 普及させる (spread )▸ diffuse ideas 考えを広める 3 〈主に悪い感情〉を弱める, 緩和する, 和らげる ▸ diffuse tensions [feelings of anger ]緊張感 [怒りの気持ち ]を和らげる自動詞 1 «…に » 〈熱ガスなどが〉拡散 [放散 ]する «into » .2 〈知識情報などが〉広まる, 普及する .3 〘物理〙拡散する .形容詞 /dɪfjúːs /〈物が〉拡散 [放散 ]した, 広がった; 〈文体話しぶりなどが〉言葉が多くわかりづらい, 散漫な, 冗長な, あいまいな .～ly 副詞広がって ; 散漫に .～ness 名詞 U 拡散, 放散 ; 散漫 .dif f ú s i ble 形容詞

diffusion

dif fu sion /dɪfjúːʒ (ə )n /名詞 U ｟かたく｠1 (熱ガス光においなどの )拡散, 放散 ; 〘物理〙拡散 (作用 ).2 (話文体などの )冗漫さ .3 (知識情報などの )普及, 流布 ; (文化などの )伝播（でんぱ）.