Adjacent Words

Differ definitions

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Webster's 1828 Dictionary

DIFFER, v.i. [L., to bear or move apart. See Bear.]
1. Literally, to be separate. Hence, to be unlike, dissimilar, distinct or various, in nature, condition, form or qualities; followed by from. Men differ from brutes; a statue differs from a picture; wisdom differs from folly.
One star differeth from another star in glory. 1 Corinthians 15.
2. To disagree; not to accord; to be of a contrary opinion. We are all free to differ in opinion, and sometimes our sentiments differ less than we at first suppose.
3. To contend; to be at variance; to strive or debate in words; to dispute; to quarrel.
Well never differ with a crowded pit.
DIFFER, v.t. To cause to be different or various. A different dialect and pronunciation differs persons of divers countries. [This transitive use of the verb is not common, nor to be commended.]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

v
1: be different; "These two tests differ in only one respect" [ant: be, equal]
2: be of different opinions; "I beg to differ!"; "She disagrees with her husband on many questions" [syn: disagree, differ, dissent, take issue] [ant: agree, concord, concur, hold]

Merriam Webster's

intransitive verb (differed; differing) Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French or Latin; Middle French differer to postpone, be different, from Latin differre, from dis- + ferre to carry — more at bear Date: 14th century 1. a. to be unlike or distinct in nature, form, or characteristics <the law of one state differs from that of another> b. to change from time to time or from one instance to another ; vary <the number of cookies in a box may differ> 2. to be of unlike or opposite opinion ; disagree <they differ on religious matters>

Oxford Reference Dictionary

v.intr. 1 (often foll. by from) be unlike or distinguishable. 2 (often foll. by with) disagree; be at variance (with a person). Etymology: ME f. OF differer f. L differre, differ, DEFER(1), (as DIS-, ferre bear, tend)

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Differ Dif"fer, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Differed; p. pr. & vb. n. Differing.] [L. differre; dif- = dis- + ferre to bear, carry: cf. F. diff['e]rer. See 1st Bear, and cf. Defer, Delay.] 1. To be or stand apart; to disagree; to be unlike; to be distinguished; -- with from. One star differeth from another star in glory. --1 Cor. xv. 41. Minds differ, as rivers differ. --Macaulay. 2. To be of unlike or opposite opinion; to disagree in sentiment; -- often with from or with. 3. To have a difference, cause of variance, or quarrel; to dispute; to contend. We 'll never differ with a crowded pit. --Rowe. Syn: To vary; disagree; dissent; dispute; contend; oppose; wrangle. Usage: -- To Differ with, Differ from. Both differ from and aiffer with are used in reference to opinions; as, ``I differ from you or with you in that opinion.'''' In all other cases, expressing simple unlikeness, differ from is used; as, these two persons or things differ entirely from each other. Severely punished, not for differing from us in opinion, but for committing a nuisance. --Macaulay. Davidson, whom on a former occasion we quoted, to differ from him. --M. Arnold. Much as I differ from him concerning an essential part of the historic basis of religion. --Gladstone. I differ with the honorable gentleman on that point. --Brougham. If the honorable gentleman differs with me on that subject, I differ as heartily with him, and shall always rejoice to differ. --Canning.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Differ Dif"fer, v. t. To cause to be different or unlike; to set at variance. [R.] But something 'ts that differs thee and me. --Cowley.

Collin's Cobuild Dictionary

(differs, differing, differed) 1. If two or more things differ, they are unlike each other in some way. The story he told police differed from the one he told his mother... Management styles differ. V-RECIP: V from n, pl-n V 2. If people differ about something, they do not agree with each other about it. The two leaders had differed on the issue of sanctions... That is where we differ... Since his retirement, Crowe has differed with the President on several issues. V-RECIP: pl-n V prep, pl-n V, V with n 3. to agree to differ: see agree I beg to differ: see beg

Soule's Dictionary of English Synonyms

v. n. 1. Vary, deviate, diverge, be unlike. 2. Disagree, be of a different opinion, think differently. 3. Wrangle, quarrel, contend, bicker, be at variance.

Moby Thesaurus

agree to differ, agree to disagree, altercate, argue, be at cross-purposes, be at variance, be distinct, be distinguished, be in dissent, bear no resemblance, beg to differ, bicker, brawl, break, break off, break up, broil, clash, clash with, collide, conflict, conflict with, contradict, contrast, contrast with, counter, debate, depart, depart from, deviate, deviate from, differ in opinion, differentiate, disaccord, disaccord with, disagree, disagree with, discord, discord with, dispute, dissent, dissent from, disunify, divaricate, divaricate from, diverge, diverge from, diversify, divide, divide on, drop out, fall out, feud, fight, flite, have words, hold opposite views, jangle, jar, jar with, join issue, jostle, mismatch, mismate, misunderstand one another, negate, not accord with, not agree, not compare with, not get along, not look like, not square with, object, oppose, part company, protest against, pull different ways, quarrel, relieve, secede, set to, spar, spat, squabble, stand apart, stand over against, take exception, take issue, tiff, variate, variegate, vary, withdraw, withhold assent, wrangle