differentia

noun

dif·​fer·​en·​tia ˌdi-fə-ˈren(t)-sh(ē-)ə 

plural differentiae ˌdi-fə-ˈren(t)-shē-ˌē 

-shē-ˌī

: an element, feature, or factor that distinguishes one entity, state, or class from another

especially : a characteristic trait distinguishing a species from other species of the same genus

Synonyms

• affection
• attribute
• attribution
• character
• characteristic
• criterion
• diagnostic
• feature
• fingerprint
• hallmark
• mark
• marker
• note
• particularity
• peculiarity
• point
• property
• quality
• specific
• stamp
• touch
• trait

Examples of differentia in a Sentence

a list of the chief differentiae between a controlling cult and a legitimate religious sect

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin — more at difference entry 1

First Known Use

1551, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

differentia

noun

dif·​fer·​en·​tia ˌdif-ə-ˈren-ch(ē-)ə 

plural differentiae -chē-ˌē  -chē-ˌī 

: the element, feature, or factor that distinguishes one entity, state, or class from another

especially : a characteristic trait distinguishing a species from other species of the same genus