1. Made different (especially in the course of development) or shown to be different
   "the differentiated markings of butterflies"; "the regionally differentiated results"
    
2. (biology) exhibiting biological specialization; adapted during development to a specific function or environment
   "The differentiated cells each had a specific role in the organism"

1. Make or perceive a clear distinction between
   "We differentiate several kinds of maple";
   - distinguish, separate, secern [rare], severalize [rare], severalise [Brit, rare], tell apart
    
2. Become distinct and acquire a different character
   "As they grew older, the twins' personalities differentiated"
    
3. Become different during development
   "cells differentiate"
    
4. Evolve so as to lead to a new species or develop in a way most suited to the environment
   "The isolated population began to differentiate over time";
   - speciate, specialize, specialise [Brit]
    
5. Be a distinctive feature, attribute, or trait; sometimes in a very positive sense
   "His modesty differentiates him from his peers";
   - distinguish, mark
    
6. (mathematics) calculate a derivative; take the derivative
   "Students learn to differentiate complex functions in calculus"

See also: specialised [Brit], specialized

Type of: calculate, characterise [Brit], characterize, cipher, compute, cypher, develop, dissimilate, evolve, figure [N. Amer], finger [informal], identify, place, qualify, reckon, work out

Antonym: dedifferentiate, integrate, undifferentiated

Encyclopedia: Differentiated