1.The act of differing; the state or measure of being different or unlike; distinction; dissimilarity; unlikeness; variation; as, a difference of quality in paper; a difference in degrees of heat, or of light; what is the difference between the innocent and the guilty? "Differencies of administration, but the same Lord."
2.Disagreement in opinion; dissension; controversy; quarrel; hence, cause of dissension; matter in controversy. "What was the difference? It was a contention in public." "Away therefore went I with the constable, leaving the old warden and the young constable to compose their difference as they could."
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."
4.Choice; preference. (Obs.) "That now he chooseth with vile difference To be a beast, and lack intelligence."
6.(Logic) The quality or attribute which is added to those of the genus to constitute a species; a differentia.
7.(Math.) The quantity by which one quantity differs from another, or the remainder left after subtracting the one from the other.
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