Hypertext Webster Gateway: "Difference"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Difference \Dif"fer*ence\, n. [F. diff['e]rence, L.
differentia.]
1. The act of differing; the state or measure of being
different or unlike; distinction; dissimilarity;
unlikeness; variation; as, a difference of quality in
paper; a difference in degrees of heat, or of light; what
is the difference between the innocent and the guilty?
Differencies of administration, but the same Lord.
--1 Cor. xii.
5.
2. Disagreement in opinion; dissension; controversy; quarrel;
hence, cause of dissension; matter in controversy.
What was the difference? It was a contention in
public. --Shak.
Away therefore went I with the constable, leaving
the old warden and the young constable to compose
their difference as they could. --T. Ellwood.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Difference \Dif"fer*ence\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Differenced}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Differencing}.]
To cause to differ; to make different; to mark as different;
to distinguish.
Thou mayest difference gods from men. --Chapman.
Kings, in receiving justice and undergoing trial, are
not differenced from the meanest subject. --Milton.
So completely differenced by their separate and
individual characters that we at once acknowledge them
as distinct persons. --Sir W.
Scott.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
difference
n 1: the quality of being unlike or dissimilar: "there are many
differences between jazz and rock" [ant: {sameness}]
2: a quantity obtained by subtraction; "profit is a positive
difference between income and expenses"
3: a variation that deviates from the standard or norm; "the
deviation from the mean" [syn: {deviation}, {divergence},
{departure}]
4: a disagreement or argument about something important; "he
had a dispute with his wife"; "there were irreconcilable
differences"; "the familiar conflict between Republicans
and Democrats" [syn: {dispute}, {difference of opinion}, {conflict}]
5: a significant change; "the difference in her is amazing";
"his support made a real difference"
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