Etymologically
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differens

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Forms

differēns n (genitive differentis); third declension[1][2]

Etymology

It is from Latin differō (“to differ”), the neuter of its present participle used as a noun.[1][2][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

As a noun it is found in Quintilian (c. 35–95/96 AD), meaning a difference.[2][3][4]

Semantic evolution

The OLD treats the noun as the equivalent of differentia.[1] Köbler also records the neuter noun in the Bible, for a difference or deviation, and the participle in the scholastic writings of Thomas Aquinas.[4] Italian differente continues the participle.[3]

Meanings

Noun

  1. A difference.[1][2][3]

Usage notes

As the participle of differō it means “differing, different”;[5][6] Köbler records it from Cicero on.[4] The Vulgate has the comparative differentior “superior” (Hebrews 1:4).[2][3]

References

  1. ^ a b c d Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
  2. ^ a b c d e Gaffiot, Félix (2016), Dictionnaire latin-français, new ed. by Gérard Gréco et al. (Gaffiot 2016), online ed.
  3. ^ a b c d e Conte, Gian Biagio; Pianezzola, Emilio; Ranucci, Giuliano (2010), il Latino: Vocabolario della lingua latina, 3rd ed., Florence: Le Monnier
  4. ^ a b c Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  5. ^ Stelten, Leo F. (1995), Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson
  6. ^ Bianchi, Rossella; Lelli, Olga (2014), VOLI: Vocabolario di latino, Florence: Le Monnier