difference
/ˈdɪfəəns/DIH-fur-uhns
/ˈdɪfɚəns/DIH-fur-uhns
Meaningthe state of carrying apart
Common meaning: the way in which things are not the same
Other meanings: a disagreement
- difapart, awaySkeat, Etymological Dictionary (1898), p. 166 · scan
- ferto bear, bringLewis & Short, Latin Dictionary (1879), p. 737 · scan
- encenoun ending: doing, or the condition that results
‘apart, away’ + ‘to bear, bring’ → difference
Sources & notes
Meaning: “Meaning” is the sense that emerges from the word’s roots; “Common meaning” is today’s everyday sense. Both written by us.
Pronunciation
- UK IPA: converted from the US form by rule (unchecked). Respelling: generated.
- No UK recording; the speaker uses your device’s en-GB voice.
- US IPA: CMUdict (BSD-2), converted to IPA by rule. Respelling: generated.
- No US recording; the speaker uses your device’s en-US voice.
Origin: Formed in English from differ + -ence.
Dictionary: Skeat (1898), DIFFER, p.166 · scan
Roots
- dif Latin “carry apart”
- ferō, tulī, lātum Latin “to bear, bring”
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