differential

Noun
1704

1 a : the product of the derivative of a function of one variable by the increment of the independent variable b : a sum of products in which each product consists of a partial derivative of a given function of several variables multiplied by the corresponding increment and which contains as many products as there are independent variables in the function
2 : a difference between comparable individuals or classes <a price differential>; also : the amount of such a difference

Adjective
1647

1 a : of, relating to, or constituting a difference : DISTINGUISHING b : making a distinction between individuals or classes c : based on or resulting from a differential d : functioning or proceeding differently or at a different rate
2 : being, relating to, or involving a differential or differentiation
3 a : relating to quantitative differences b : producing effects by reason of quantitative differences

by Buffy69 June 2, 2004

the difference between going on dates and dating

1) going on dates is self explanatory. you've hung out alone on purpose. dating is when you're not going on dates with anyone else, and ***THE GUY HAS ASKED THE GIRL TO BE HIS GIRLFRIEND.*** (or the girl has asked to be his girlfriend, or they decided amongst themselves that they were officially "dating"/"going out"; etc.)

2) dating is facebook official. ...most of the time.

Examples:
1)
Girl:"So I went on a date with Tom this weekend."
Girl's friend:"So are you dating him now?"
Girl:"No, he only asked me to go to the movies."
Girl's friend:"Do you think he'll ask you to be his girlfriend?"
Girl:"Probably not, he's a boy, so he probably doesn't know the difference between going on dates and dating, and thinks that one date means we're dating. I better set him straight."

2)
SMART BOY:"I went on another date with Lisa last night, it was really great. I think I'm gonna ask her to be my girlfriend tomorrow."
DUMB BOY:"Wait I thought you guys were dating?"
SMART BOY:"No, we've been on a couple dates, but we're not official."

3)
Boy:"Will you go out with me?
Girl:"On a date? Or dating?"
Boy:"Uhhh..."

by informative girl November 14, 2011

The Duke Difference

When something is so good that you would only find it at Duke University.

"Why is there mold growing in my A-C unit?"

"That's the Duke Difference!"

by IAmAlibi February 8, 2021

differency

A technical term combining the ideas of difference and frequency. Now used in regards to the predictable unpredictability of individuals – particularly women. The term has its origins in the writings of Daniel Webster the Elder who was the godfather and inspiration for the name of the famed lawyer and American Revolutionary war figure.

1. The problem for planning a maintenance schedule is that we know customers will be very differency in the usage.

2. I don't know what to get them for Christmas, you know they all have to have their differency even if they are sisters.

3. It isn't that he isn't fabulous. Fashion just hasn't caught up with his differency yet.

by AlephNautical December 12, 2013

Team Difference Syndrome

Every year, millions of League Of Legends and other gamers suffer from "Team Difference Syndrome"; thinking that their opposing team, though equal in rank according to the ladder and queue, is somehow way better than their current performing team. They often blame bad luck in the queue and say things like "ri0t fix your shi game". This usually ends with the worst performing player on the losing team talking smack in chat, flaming his allies, telling them they suck and to "Kys" and requesting a team surrender at the earliest possible convenience; Sometimes they'll pepper in a few racial slurs for good measure. Most Team Difference Syndrome sufferers give up long before the game is over and convince themselves of the shortcomings of their allies way before the game is actually lost; they refuse to try to win and simply give up trying. Often if they are killed once or twice they will ragequit and simply disconnect; Some of the worst offenders even resort to cheating because, they theorize, the "game is unbalanced".

ally 1. Guys forfeit at 15:00 their top lane is outperforming, their bottom lane is wrecking, their midlaner is winning lane, and look at their jungle difference yo! <Disconnects>
ally 2. He must be suffering from TDS: Team Difference Syndrome ...

by HighWarlordWarlock November 14, 2020

Do you want to win the argument, or make a difference

So much of our current social and political discourse is based on proving the other wrong i.e. winning the argument. We don't demonstrate enough empathy to understand where the "other" is coming from and the merits of their point. A black and white world is a construct of our own imagination and our desire to imprint our views on to others. It ignores the beauty that the synthesis or fusion of diverse ideas enables.

John had made a life out of proving people wrong. He took pride in being able to argue against any position and win. He was a talk show host. One night when he was grilling a guest who was making a point around having improved gun controls in place. John, barely let she finish her sentences, was adversarial and was not listening. At the end of the segment the guest said; "John, do you want to win the argument, or make a difference".

by Yusuf Wazirzada May 7, 2019

Ordinary Differential Equation

An equation that uses rates to torture undergraduate students using nonsensical rules and made up solutions that have no bearing on reality. These are designed to humiliate and confuse typical students.

Oh man, I tried to hook up with this girl from the club last night but she was a total O.D.E (ordinary differential equation)

by Wiggles4u November 6, 2009