difference
UK[ˈdɪfrəns]US[ˈdɪfrəns]
n
The way in which two or more things which you are comparing are not the same.
n
A disagreement, quarrel, or argument.
n
The amount by which one thing is greater or smaller than another.
Morpheme Breakdown
dif
fer
ence
dif
apart, away
fer
carry, bear
ence
noun suffix
Etymology
The word 'difference' originates from the Latin 'differentia', a noun derived from the verb 'differre', meaning "to set apart" or "to be unlike." This verb itself is a compound of the prefix 'dis-' (apart) and 'ferre' (to carry). The literal image is of carrying things in separate directions, creating a state of distinction. Over time, this concrete sense of physical separation evolved into the abstract concept of unlikeness or disagreement between ideas, quantities, or entities. The suffix '-ence' solidified this action or state into a noun, giving us the modern term for the quality of being different.
Analysis
Structure: dif (apart, away) + fer (carry, bear) + ence (noun suffix)
- dif: A Latin prefix, a variant of 'dis-', meaning "apart, away, in different directions."
- fer: A Latin root, from the verb 'ferre', meaning "to carry, to bear."
- ence: A Latin-derived noun suffix indicating a state, quality, or condition.
Examples
The main difference between the two cars is their fuel efficiency.
They had a difference of opinion about how to proceed with the project.
There's a noticeable difference in temperature between day and night.