differentia
Americannoun
plural
differentiae-
the character or attribute by which one species is distinguished from all others of the same genus.
-
the character or basic factor by which one entity is distinguished from another.
noun
Etymology
Origin of differentia
From Latin, dating back to 1820–30; see origin at difference
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The differentia is that part of a definition which names the difference between the term defined and the general class to which it belongs.
From English: Composition and Literature by Webster, W. F. (William Franklin)
Hoc argumentum praecipue ad juris consultos ecclesiasticos et civiles pertinet; et quamvis differentia sit inter jurisdictionem judicis civilis et ecclesiastici tamen judicium utriusque quatenus necessario pendet ab existentia conditionum physicalium in medici consilio situm est.
From Essays In Pastoral Medicine by ?Malley, Austin
A logical definition consists, then, of two parts: the general term naming the genus, and the limiting term naming the distinguishing attribute called the differentia.
From English: Composition and Literature by Webster, W. F. (William Franklin)
Such an idea has the differentia of intelligence.
From Creative Intelligence Essays in the Pragmatic Attitude by Bode, Boyd H.
“Animal” names the general class, and “reasoning” is the differentia which separates “man” from other “animals.”
From English: Composition and Literature by Webster, W. F. (William Franklin)
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
