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 essential property, the "differentia essentialis," of genuine love, as its nature requires fervency, is the fact that it cannot be embittered.
From Epistle Sermons, Vol. II Epiphany, Easter and Pentecost by Lenker, John Nicholas
Find the genus and differentia in the definition of “a good book of the hour.”
From English: Composition and Literature by Webster, W. F. (William Franklin)
If one of them only has this differentia, then this one is composite and is not the first cause.
From A History of Mediaeval Jewish Philosophy by Husik, Isaac
What, according to Hobhouse, are the differentia of human morality from animal behavior?
From Introduction to the Science of Sociology by Park, Robert Ezra
Such an idea has the differentia of intelligence.
From Creative Intelligence Essays in the Pragmatic Attitude by Bode, Boyd H.
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.
