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• diff
  diff

  noun

  difference.
• diff.
  diff.

  abbreviation

  difference.

diff

¹ American  

[dif] / dɪf /

noun

1. Informal. difference.

   What’s the diff if I go Tuesday or Wednesday?

2. Computers. an operation that computes and displays the data difference or differences between two files, usually between two versions of the same file: Go back to the original program files you downloaded and run a diff to see what has changed.

   Before you submit your work, always do a diff on it.

   Go back to the original program files you downloaded and run a diff to see what has changed.

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verb (used with object)

1. Computers. to compare (data files) and display the difference or differences.

   It’s easier to diff the files if they are in the same repository.

diff. ² American  

abbreviation

1. difference.

2. different.

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Etymology

Origin of diff

First recorded in 1600–25; by shortening

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

diff diff.

The researchers are currently working on modifying the system to help combat Clostridioides difficile, commonly referred to as C. diff, a bacterium that can cause diarrhea and colitis, among other symptoms.

From Science Daily ● Nov. 20, 2024

For hospitalized patients with severe C. diff infection:

From Science Daily ● Feb. 21, 2024

In the U.S., nearly half a million people each year experience C. diff.

From Science Daily ● Feb. 21, 2024

Omadacycline demonstrated a low likelihood of causing C diff in clinical trials, but no one understood why.

From Science Daily ● Dec. 19, 2023

She skirted the edge of a massive diff that overlooked a huge, black ocean.

From "Uglies" by Scott Westerfeld

When the C. diff. illnesses and deaths are added, the annual U.S. toll of all these pathogens is more than 3 million infections and 48,000 deaths.

From Washington Post ● Nov. 13, 2019

The test for C. diff. had been negative, so it wasn’t surprising that the antibiotic hadn’t helped.

From New York Times ● Feb. 6, 2014

In this second visit, a test for C. diff. was sent, but even before the result could come back the patient was started on yet another antibiotic – this one to kill the suspected bacterium.

From New York Times ● Feb. 6, 2014

An example of how this works is Clostridium difficile, or C. diff., a bacterial infection that causes severe diarrhea.

From New York Times ● Feb. 1, 2013

But it makes no diff. to me about that.

From Colonel Crockett's Co-operative Christmas by Rupert Hughes