differential etymology

Etymology

"Differential" originates from the Latin word "differre," meaning "to carry apart" or "to differ."

Meaning

Differential refers to:

  • Mathematics:
    • A rate of change, as in differential calculus
  • Engineering:
    • A device that allows a rotating shaft to transmit torque while providing some angular offset, as in a differential gear
  • Psychology:
    • A measure of the difference between two scores or measurements

Origin

The concept of "differential" was first introduced in mathematics by Sir Isaac Newton and Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz in the 17th century as a way to describe the rate of change of a function. The term was later adopted in engineering and psychology to describe devices and concepts related to measurement and calculation of differences.

differential relate terms

  • difference

    Etymology Difference comes from the Old French word dif f érence which in turn deriv

  • derivative

    Etymology Derivative comes from the Latin word derivatus meaning diverted or drawn

  • differentiate

    Etymology Refers to the study of the historical development of words including their or

  • calculus

    Etymology The word calculus is derived from the Latin word calculus which means pe

  • computation

    Etymology Derived from Latin computare meaning to calculate or to reckon Compu

  • calculation

    Etymology The word calculation is derived from the Latin word calculātiō meaning

  • reckoning

    Etymology Middle English reknyng from Old English recnung Proto Germanic rakunōn

  • partial

    Partial Etymology Partial etymology is the study of the origin and development of only a

  • gear

    Etymology The word gear is derived from the Middle English word gere which ultimatel

  • function

    Etymology is the study of the history of words including their origins forms and meanin

  • coefficient

    Etymology The word coefficient comes from the Latin word cohaerere meaning to stic