DIFFERENTIALLY
differentially
(adverb) in a differential manner; “Hubel and Wiesel have found cells that respond differentially according to the direction in which a stimulus is moved across the retina”
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Etymology
Adverb
differentially (not comparable)
In a differential manner
(mathematics) With regard to differentiation
Source: Wiktionary
Dif`fer*en"tial*ly, adv.
Definition: In the way of differentiation.
DIFFERENTIAL
Dif`fer*en"tial, a. Etym: [Cf. F. différentiel.]
1. Relating to or indicating a difference; creating a difference;
discriminating; special; as, differential characteristics;
differential duties; a differential rate.
For whom he produced differential favors. Motley.
2. (Math.)
Definition: Of or pertaining to a differential, or to differentials.
3. (Mech.)
Definition: Relating to differences of motion or leverage; producing
effects by such differences; said of mechanism. Differential
calculus. (Math.) See under Calculus.
– Differential coefficient, the limit of the ratio of the increment
of a function of a variable to the increment of the variable itself,
when these increments are made indefinitely small.
– Differential coupling, a form of slip coupling used in light
machinery to regulate at pleasure the velocity of the connected
shaft.
– Differential duties (Polit. Econ.), duties which are not imposed
equally upon the same products imported from different countries.
– Differential galvanometer (Elec.), a galvanometer having two
coils or circuits, usually equal, through which currents passing in
opposite directions are measured by the difference of their effect
upon the needle.
– Differential gearing, a train of toothed wheels, usually an
epicyclic train, so arranged as to constitute a differential motion.
– Differential motion, a mechanism in which a simple differential
combination produces such a change of motion or force as would, with
ordinary compound arrangements, require a considerable train of
parts. It is used for overcoming great resistance or producing very
slow or very rapid motion.
– Differential pulley. (Mach.) (a) A portable hoisting apparatus,
the same in principle as the differential windlass. (b) A hoisting
pulley to which power is applied through a differential gearing.
– Differential screw, a compound screw by which a motion is
produced equal to the difference of the motions of the component
screws.
– Differential thermometer, a thermometer usually with a U-shaped
tube terminating in two air bulbs, and containing a colored liquid,
used for indicating the difference between the temperatures to which
the two bulbs are exposed, by the change of position of the colored
fluid, in consequence of the different expansions of the air in the
bulbs. A graduated scale is attached to one leg of the tube.
– Differential windlass, or Chinese windlass, a windlass whose
barrel has two parts of different diameters. The hoisting rope winds
upon one part as it unwinds from the other, and a pulley sustaining
the weight to be lifted hangs in the bight of the rope. It is an
ancient example of a differential motion.
Dif`fer*en"tial, n.
1. (Math.)
Definition: An increment, usually an indefinitely small one, which is given
to a variable quantity.
Note: According to the more modern writers upon the differential and
integral calculus, if two or more quantities are dependent on each
other, and subject to increments of value, their differentials need
not be small, but are any quantities whose ratios to each other are
the limits to which the ratios of the increments approximate, as
these increments are reduced nearer and nearer to zero.
2. A small difference in rates which competing railroad lines, in
establishing a common tariff, allow one of their number to make, in
order to get a fair share of the business. The lower rate is called a
differential rate. Differentials are also sometimes granted to
cities.
3. (Elec.)
(a) One of two coils of conducting wire so related to one another or
to a magnet or armature common to both, that one coil produces polar
action contrary to that of the other.
(b) A form of conductor used for dividing and distributing the
current to a series of electric lamps so as to maintain equal action
in all. Knight. Partial differential (Math.), the differential of a
function of two or more variables, when only one of the variables
receives an increment.
– Total differential (Math.), the differential of a function of two
or more variables, when each of the variables receives an increment.
The total differential of the function is the sum of all the partial
differentials.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition