differentiate

/,difə'renʃieit/

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Word: Differentiate

Part of Speech: Verb

Basic Meaning: To differentiate means to recognize or show the difference between two or more things. It involves making something distinct or marking it as different from others.

Usage Instructions:

• You can use "differentiate" when you want to explain how one thing is not the same as another.
• It is often used in academic or scientific contexts, but you can also use it in everyday conversations.

Examples:

1. Basic Example: "Teachers need to differentiate their lessons to meet the needs of all students."

   • Here, it means that teachers should change their lessons to fit different students.

2. Advanced Example: "Scientists differentiate between species based on their genetic characteristics."

   • This means that scientists identify and categorize species based on their DNA.

Advanced Usage:

• In scientific contexts, "differentiate" can refer to cells developing into specific types, such as muscle cells or nerve cells.
  • Example: "During development, stem cells differentiate into various specialized cells."

Word Variants:

• Noun: Differentiation (e.g., "The differentiation of cells is crucial in biology.")
• Adjective: Differentiated (e.g., "The differentiated products appealed to different market segments.")

Different Meanings:

1. Biology: Refers to the process where cells develop into different types.
2. Mathematics: "To differentiate" can also mean to calculate the derivative of a function, which is a way to find the rate of change.

Synonyms:

• Distinguish
• Differentiate
• Discern
• Tell apart
• Separate

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

While "differentiate" does not have specific idioms, you might hear phrases like: - "Draw a line between" (to differentiate clearly). - "Set apart" (to make something different in a notable way).

Summary:

To differentiate is to identify differences between things, whether in everyday life, scientific discussions, or mathematical calculations.

Academic

Verb

1. become distinct and acquire a different character
2. evolve so as to lead to a new species or develop in a way most suited to the environment
3. become different during development
   • cells differentiate
4. calculate a derivative; take the derivative
5. be a distinctive feature, attribute, or trait; sometimes in a very positive sense
   • His modesty distinguishes him from his peers
6. mark as different
   • We distinguish several kinds of maple

Synonyms

• speciate
• specialize
• specialise
• distinguish
• mark
• separate
• secern
• secernate
• severalize
• severalise
• tell
• tell apart