U

differentiate

verb (used with object), dif·fer·en·ti·at·ed, dif·fer·en·ti·at·ing.

to form or mark differently from other such things; distinguish.
to change; alter.
to perceive the difference in or between.
to make different by modification, as a biological species.
Mathematics. to obtain the differential or the derivative of.

verb (used without object), dif·fer·en·ti·at·ed, dif·fer·en·ti·at·ing.

to become unlike or dissimilar; change in character.
to make a distinction.
Biology. (of cells or tissues) to change from relatively generalized to specialized kinds, during development.

verb

(tr) to serve to distinguish between
(when intr, often foll by between) to perceive, show, or make a difference (in or between); discriminate
(intr) to become dissimilar or distinct
maths to perform a differentiation on (a quantity, expression, etc)
(intr) (of unspecialized cells, etc) to change during development to more specialized forms

1816, from Medieval Latin differentiatus, past participle of differentiare, from Latin differentia (see difference).

Originally a mathematical term; transitive and non-technical sense of “discriminate between” is from 1876. Earlier, difference had been used as a verb in this sense. Related: Differentiated; differentiating; differentiation.