1. (

• distinguish ,
• separate ,
• differentiate ,
• secern ,
• secernate ,
• severalize ,
• severalise ,
• tell ,
• tell_apart

) mark as different; "We distinguish several kinds of maple" ;

2. (

• distinguish ,
• mark ,
• differentiate ,

) be a distinctive feature, attribute, or trait; sometimes in a very positive sense; "His modesty distinguishes him from his peers" ;

3. (

• differentiate

) calculate a derivative; take the derivative ;

4. (

• differentiate ,

) become different during development; "cells differentiate" ;

5. (

• speciate ,
• differentiate ,
• specialize ,
• specialise ,

) evolve so as to lead to a new species or develop in a way most suited to the environment ;

6. (

• differentiate

) become distinct and acquire a different character ;