aborted
EnglishMerriam-Webster DictionaryEnglishMerriam-Webster Dictionarydiffer
Definition
- intransitive verb
- : to be unlike or distinct in nature, form, or characteristics //The law of one state differs from that of another.: to change from time to time or from one instance to another : vary //The number of cookies in a box may differ.
- : to be of unlike or opposite opinion : disagree //They differ on political matters. //I beg to differ with your interpretation.
Examples
- //The two schools differ in their approach to discipline.
- //my brother and I differ markedly in the way we handle money
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1aHistory and Etymology
Middle English differren, differen, borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French differer "to be different," borrowed (with conjugational change) from Latin differre "to carry away in varying directions, spread abroad, postpone, delay, be unlike or distinct," from dif-, assimilated form of dis- dis- + ferre "to carry, convey" NOTE: The meanings of Latin differre, in particular the sense "to be unlike or distinct," copy those of Greek diaphérein, formed with the cognate verb phérein "to carry." English differ is not distinct etymologically from defer entry 1; the two were originally variants with stress on either the first or last syllable, with the meanings "delay" and "be unlike" eventually being restricted to one of the two variants.