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Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionarydif·fer·ence I \ˈdi-fərn(t)s, ˈdi-f(ə-)rən(t)s\ noun DATE 14th century1. a. the quality or state of being different the difference between right and wrong b. an instance of differing in nature, form, or quality noted the differences in color and texture c. archaic : a characteristic that distinguishes one from another or from the average d. the element or factor that separates or distinguishes contrasting situations2. distinction or discrimination in preference timing is often the difference between success and failure3. a. disagreement in opinion : dissension b. an instance or cause of disagreement unable to settle their differences4. the degree or amount by which things differ in quantity or measure; specifically : remainder 2b(1)5. a significant change in or effect on a situation it makes no difference to me II transitive verb (-enced ; -enc·ing) DATE 1576: differentiate, distinguishEnglish Etymologydifference mid-14c., from O.Frhttp://O.Fr. difference, from L. differentia, from differentem (nom. differens), prp. of differre "to set apart" (see differ). Sense of "a quarrel" first attested late 14c. Colloquial phrase what's the diff? first recorded 1896.Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary-牛津双解-OALD7☞ differencedif·fer·ence / 5difrEns / noun1. [C, U] ~ (between A and B) | ~ (in sth) the way in which two people or things are not like each other; the way in which sb / sth has changed 差别；差异；不同(之处)；变化(之处): There are no significant differences between the education systems of the two countries. 这两国的教育制度没有大的差别。 He was studying the complex similarities and differences between humans and animals. 他在研究人和动物之间错综复杂的相似与不同之处。 There's no difference in the results. 结果没有差别。 She noticed a marked difference in the children on her second visit. 她第二次来访时注意到孩子们发生了明显的变化。 I can never tell the difference (= distinguish) between the twins. 我从来都分不清这对双胞胎。 There's a world of difference between liking someone and loving them. 喜欢一个人和爱一个人有天壤之别。 What a difference! You look great with your hair like that. 真是判若两人！你梳这种发型显得太帅了。 OPP similarity 2. [sing., U] ~ (in sth) (between A and B) the amount that sth is greater or smaller than sth else 差；差额: There's not much difference in price between the two computers. 这两种计算机价格上没有多大的差别。 There's an age difference of six years between the boys (= one is six years older than the other). 这两个男孩的年龄相差六岁。 I'll lend you £500 and you'll have to find the difference (= the rest of the money that you need). 我借给你 500 英镑,其余的你自己解决。 We measured the difference in temperature. 我们测量了温度的变化。 3. [C] a disagreement between people 意见分歧；不和: We have our differences, but she's still my sister. 我们之间虽然不和,但她仍旧是我的妹妹。 Why don't you settle your differences and be friends again? 你们为什么不消除隔阂,言归于好呢？ There was a difference of opinion over who had won. 在谁获胜的问题上发生了争执。 IDIOMS ▪ make a, no, some, etc. difference (to / in sb / sth) to have an effect / no effect on sb / sth 有(或没有、有些等)作用,关系,影响: The rain didn't make much difference to the game. 这场雨对比赛没多大影响。 Your age shouldn't make any difference to whether you get the job or not. 你能否得到这工作应该与你的年龄无关。 Changing schools made a big difference to my life. 转学对我的一生有着重大影响。 What difference will it make if he knows or not? 他知不知道有什么关系吗？ I don't think it makes a lot of difference what colour it is (= it is not important). 我认为颜色无关紧要。 'Shall we go on Friday or Saturday?' 'It makes no difference (to me).' "我们星期五还是星期六去？" "我无所谓。" ▪ make all the 'difference (to sb / sth) to have an important effect on sb / sth; to make sb feel better 关系重大；大不相同；使更好受: A few kind words at the right time make all the difference. 在适当的时候说几句体贴话效果迥然不同。 ▪ same 'difference (informal) used to say that you think the differences between two things are not important 差不多一样: 'That's not a xylophone, it's a glockenspiel.' 'Same difference.' "那不是木琴而是钟琴。" "反正都差不多。" ▪ with a 'difference (informal) (after nouns 用于名词后) used to show that sth is interesting or unusual 引人注目；与众不同: The traditional backpack with a difference—it's waterproof. 这个跟传统背包不同——它防水。 ⇨ more at bury , sink v., split v., worldOxford Collocations Dictionary for Students of EnglishOxford Collocations dictionary for students of Englishdifference noun 1 way in which people/things are not the same ADJ. big, broad, considerable, dramatic, enormous, great, huge, large, major, profound, radical, real, sharp, substantial, vast, wide A little extra care makes a big difference. I noticed a real difference in his attitude. | basic, essential, fundamental | crucial, important, key, significant | clear, distinct, marked, notable, noticeable, obvious, striking | minor, slight, subtle | national, regional | age, class, cultural, ethnic, gender, genetic, physical, psychological, racial, sex, social | historical, ideological, political | temperature, time What's the time difference between London and Tokyo? VERB + DIFFERENCE make The new central heating has made an enormous difference to the house. What difference does it make if he doesn't have a car? | mean One tiny mistake when you're climbing could mean the difference between life and death. | exaggerate, emphasize, focus on, highlight, stress, underline We should be focusing on what we have in common rather than emphasizing our differences. | appreciate, be aware of, feel, know, notice, perceive, see, spot, tell Only an expert would know the difference between the male and the female. Can you spot the difference between these two photos? It's difficult to tell the difference between butterflies and moths. | explain, illustrate | examine, explore, look at The study explores the differences between the way girls and boys talk. | show The questionnaire showed vast differences in what kind of product people want. | reflect Our different attitudes to life reflect the differences in our backgrounds. DIFFERENCE + VERB be, lie The difference lies in the way the fruit is prepared. | arise (from sth), exist The differences in size arise from the amount of sunshine each plant gets. PREP. ~ between There's a big difference between reading about skiing and doing it yourself. | ~ from He was very aware of his difference from the other children. | ~ in The difference in price is not very significant. | ~ of a crucial difference of emphasis | ~ with There is one key difference with the earlier version of the software. The difference with this information service is that it's free. PHRASES a … with a difference If you want a holiday with a difference, come to Iceland. | all the difference in the world There's all the difference in the world between choosing to do something and being forced to do it. | a great deal of/a lot difference The extra money will make a lot of difference to us. | make all the difference Just five minutes' exercise a day could make all the difference. | no difference/not much difference There's not much difference between baseball and softball. 2 sum of money in addition to the sum expected VERB + DIFFERENCE pay If you decide you would prefer the more expensive model, you can bring this one back and pay the difference. | make up He hadn't got quite enough money, but his aunt agreed to make up the difference. | pocket He sold the car for more than he'd paid and pocketed the difference. | split (figurative) I wanted to leave early and Ian wanted to leave late, so we split the difference and left at noon. 3 disagreement ADJ. irreconcilable, major, serious, sharp | minor, slight | outstanding This round of talks aims to resolve the outstanding differences between the two sides. VERB + DIFFERENCE have They have had some minor differences, but in general they get on well together. | make up, patch up, put aside, reconcile, resolve, settle We're going to get the two sides together to see if they can't settle their differences. DIFFERENCE + VERB arise, emerge, occur Differences may arise when the young people do not have the same expectations as their parents. | remain Although the talks were generally successful, differences remain between the groups. PREP. ~ as to/over There were some differences as to how to deal with the crisis. PHRASES a difference of opinion She and Luke had a difference of opinion over how much money they should spend. | have your differences Like any married couple, we have our differences. Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Thesaurus-11th Editionn. Function: noun 1 Synonyms: DISSIMILARITY, alterity, discrepancy, dissemblance, dissimilitude, distinction, divergence, divergency, otherness, unlikeness Related Words: modification, variation Contrasted Words: equivalence, equivalency, sameness Antonyms: resemblance 2 Synonyms: DISCORD, conflict, contention, disaccord, dissension, dissent, dissidence, disunity, strife, variance Related Words: clash, conflict 3 Synonyms: VARIANCE 1, variationn. Function: verb Synonyms: KNOW 4, differentiate, discern, discrepate, discriminate, distinguish, extricate, separate, sever, severalizeWebster's Third New International Dictionary, Unabridgeddif·fer·enceI. \ˈdifərn(t)s, -f(ə)rən-, -R sometimes -fən-\ noun(-s)Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin differentia, from different-, differens + -ia1. a. : the quality or state of being different < great difference between the two ideas > b. : an instance of differing in nature, form, or quality < differences in the manufacturing process result in a wide variety of flavors > : a property or characteristic in which things or persons differ < differences in color and texture between the two fabrics > c. archaic : a characteristic that distinguishes one person or thing from another or from the general < an absolute gentleman full of the most excellent differences — Shakespeare > d. : differentia 1 e. : the element or factor that separates or distinguishes two contrasting situations or events < water is the difference between profit and loss to these farmers >2. : distinction or discrimination in preference or choice < the law should make no difference between the rich and the poor >3. : disagreement in opinion : dissension, controversy < there has never been any difference between the two men >: an instance of disagreement or a point upon which there is disagreement < nationalists have always used force to settle their differences — H.S.Fowler >4. a. : the degree or amount by which things differ in quantity or measure < 10 cents difference in price > specifically : the result obtained by subtracting one magnitude, number, or function from another of the same kind b. : the amount payable to or by a seller on the occasion of the sale of securities or commodities originally purchased by him as a speculation without intention to take physical possession and representing the change in price c. : the amount paid or allowed for the delivery of a quality of produce better or poorer than that on which the contract price is based5. : an addition to or change in a coat of arms to distinguish the bearings of two persons which would otherwise be the same — compare augmentation 6, cadency mark6. : a significant change in a situation : a significant effect on a situation < what's the difference whether I go or not > < streamlining did not make much difference >Synonyms: see dissimilarityII. transitive verb(-ed/-ing/-s)Etymology: Middle English differencen, from difference, n.1. a. : to make different : differentiate or distinguish in nature or character < every individual has something that differences it from another — John Locke > b. : to make a distinction between (as in the mind) : discriminate, differentiate < difference gods from men — George Chapman >2. : to make a heraldic difference in (a coat of arms)III. transitive verb: to compute the difference between

Difference Make Difference The Verb I Between A