Dif'fer-ence1, n.
n. [Lat. differentia, Fr. différence, It. differenzia, differenza, Sp. diferencia. See DIFFERENT.]
Sense 1. The act of differing; the state of being different, discordant, or unlike; distinction; dissimilarity; variation; as, a difference of quality in paper; a difference in degrees of heat, or of light.
Sense 2. Disagreement in opinion; discordance; dissension; controversy; quarrel; hence, cause of dissension; matter in controversy; occasion of quarrel.
What was the difference? It was a contention in public. Shak.
Sense 3. That by which one thing differs from another; that which distinguishes or causes to differ; mark of distinction; characteristic quality; specific attribute. “The marks and differences of sovereignty.” Davies.
Sense 4. (Her.) A figure added to a coat of arms to distinguish the persons or families who bear the same arms, and to indicate their nearness to the principal bearer.
Sense 5. (Logic.) The quality or attribute which is added to those of the genus to constitute a species; differentia.
Sense 6. (Math.) The quantity by which one quantity differs from another, or the remainder left after subtracting the one from the other.
Synonyms—Distinction; dissimilarity; dissimilitude; variation; diversity; variety; contrariety; disagreement; variance; contest; contention; dispute; controversy; debate; quarrel; wrangle; strife.