1. (a.) Distinctive; discriminating; special; as, differential characteristics; differential duties\; a differential rate.

2. (a.) of or pertaining to a differential, or to differentials.

3. (a.) Relating to differences of motion or leverage; producing effects by such differences; said of mechanism.

4. (n.) An increment, usually an indefinitely small one, which is given to a variable quantity.

5. (n.) 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.

6. (n.) 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.

7. (n.) 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.

Hydromatic accurate algorismic algorithmic aliquot appreciative aroma attribute automatic transmission badge brand cachet cardinal cast categorical character characteristic characterizing classificational classificatory cogwheel configuration contrastive critical cut decimal defining delicacy delicate delicate distinction denominative diacritical diagnostic differencing differentia differential gear differentiative digital discriminate discriminating discriminative distinction distinctive distinctive feature distinguishing divisional divisionary earmark even exact exponential fastidious feature figural figurate figurative figure fine fine point finite flavor fractional freewheel gear gear train gearbox gearing gearshift gearwheel gust hairline hallmark high idiocrasy idiosyncrasy idiosyncratic imaginary impair impossible impress impression index individualism individualizing individuating infinite integral intermediate irrational keynote lineaments logarithmic logometric low mannerism margin mark marking mold narrow margin nature negative neutral nice nice distinction nicety nuance numeral numerary numerative numeric odd odor ordinal overdrive pair particle of difference particular particularity peculiar peculiarity personalizing point of difference positive possible precise prejudiced prime property quality quirk rack radical rational real reciprocal refined refinement reverse savor seal selective sensitive separative shade of difference shape singularity smack special specialty specific stamp standard transmission stick shift subdivisional submultiple subtle subtle distinction subtlety surd synchromesh tactful taint tang taste taxonomic token trait transcendental transmission trick typal typical wide margin