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; 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 formation of such rules, resting as it does on the power of framing and applying general conceptions, is the prime differentia of human morality from animal behavior.
From Introduction to the Science of Sociology by Park, Robert Ezra
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
Not a little error has resulted from the confusion of thought whereby genus and differentia have been regarded as material and formal constitutives in the literal sense of those expressions.
From Ontology or the Theory of Being by Coffey, Peter
This was the object of logicians when they laid down that a species must be defined per genus et differentiam, meaning by the differentia one attribute included in the essence, i.e. in the connotation.
From Analysis of Mr. Mill's System of Logic by Stebbing, W. (William)
Swift and Chatterton, with all their vast talents, wanted, we think, the fine differentia, and the genial element of real poetic genius.
From Harper's New Monthly Magazine, Vol. 3, No. 15, August, 1851 by Various
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.
