different

I. adjective Etymology: Middle English, from Latin different-, differens, present participle of differre Date: 14th century 1. partly or totally unlike in nature, form, or quality ; dissimilar <

could hardly be more different

> — often followed by from, than, or chiefly British to <

small, neat hand, very different from the captain's tottery characters — R. L. Stevenson

> <

vastly different in size than it was twenty-five years ago — N. M. Pusey

> <

a very different situation to the…one under which we live — Sir Winston Churchill

> 2. not the same: as a. distinct <

different age groups

> b. various <

different members of the class

> c. another <

switched to a different TV program

> 3. unusual, special <

she was different and superior

> • differentness noun Synonyms: different, diverse, divergent, disparate, various mean unlike in kind or character. different may imply little more than separateness but it may also imply contrast or contrariness <

different foods

>. diverse implies both distinctness and marked contrast <

such diverse interests as dancing and football

>. divergent implies movement away from each other and unlikelihood of ultimate meeting or reconciliation <

went on to pursue divergent careers

>. disparate emphasizes incongruity or incompatibility <

disparate notions of freedom

>. various stresses the number of sorts or kinds <

tried various methods

>. Usage: Numerous commentators have condemned different than in spite of its use since the 17th century by many of the best-known names in English literature. It is nevertheless standard and is even recommended in many handbooks when followed by a clause, because insisting on from in such instances often produces clumsy or wordy formulations. Different from, the generally safe choice, is more common especially when it is followed by a noun or pronoun. II. adverb Date: 1744 differently