difference

1. Maths

a. the result of the subtraction of one number, quantity, etc., from another

b. the single number that when added to the subtrahend gives the minuend; remainder

2. Logic another name for differentia

3. Maths of two sets

a. the set of members of the first that are not members of the second.

b. symmetric difference the set of members of one but not both of the given sets.

Collins Discovery Encyclopedia, 1st edition © HarperCollins Publishers 2005

difference

contrast, unlikeness. Three interrelated but distinct usages of the term are important:

(within SAUSSURE's linguistic theory) the presupposed (or ‘absent’) contrast(s) in any signification, necessary because meaning is never present in individual signifiers but gained (and never fully or finally) by contrast with other signifiers;
(for DERRIDA) an emphasis above all, on the open-endedness of différence and djfférance, as undermining ‘several kingdoms’, including the ‘metaphysics of presence’ and the ‘logocentrism’ of traditional philosophy (as well as some of Saussure's interpretations of his own linguistics). See also DECONSTRUCTION.
(more general use of the term) cultural differences of any kind.

Compare OTHERNESS.

Collins Dictionary of Sociology, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2000

difference

[′dif·rəns]

(mathematics)

The result of subtracting one number from another.

The difference between two sets A and B is the set consisting of all elements of A which do not belong to B; denoted A-B.

The following article is from The Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1979). It might be outdated or ideologically biased.

Difference

a comparative description of objects, based on the fact that properties present in some objects are lacking in others. In materialist dialectics, “difference” is understood as a necessary moment in every thing, phenomenon, and process, characterizing its inner contradictoriness and development.

The category of difference is inseparable from the category of identity. The closest connection and mutual interpenetration of difference and identity occurs in the course of the reflection of the movement and development of objects, when difference exists within identity, and identity within difference. The objective basis for the unity of difference and identity is the unity between the stability and the changeability of things. In this unity, stability is manifested as the identity of the changing object with itself, and changeability, as a violation of this identity, or as difference within identity.

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References in periodicals archive

In Chapter 8, "Difference and Cultural Identities in Aotearoa New Zealand: Pedagogical, Theoretical, and Pragmatic Implications of the Josie Bullock Case," Shiv Ganesh states that his "objective is to situate pedagogical issues in organizing difference with reference to contemporary cultural and political tensions in Aotearoa, New Zealand" (p.

Mumby, Dennis K. (Ed.): Reframing Difference in Organizational Communication Studies: Re-search, Pedagogy, Practice

We complete the investigation and find that the difference in HR between the groups is a mean of 8 bpm, P = 0.10.

Errors in the interpretation of 'no statistically significant difference'

Although Korzybski may have used the phrase "a difference which makes a difference" somewhere, I have thoroughly searched through his published writings and have not found it used.

A difference that makes a difference

When there are predictably intense dynamics surrounding a particular difference in a given cultural context (like race in the United States), learning how to navigate around that difference is often the best--and most efficient--way to develop a general Leveraging Difference capability.

The end of diversity as we know it: why diversity efforts fail and how leveraging difference can succeed

The studies Fine came across were often conducted with small numbers of men and women, where the differences seen could have been due to chance.

Sex differences in the brain 'exaggerated, forcing gender stereotypes'

That there are essential differences between men and women, often described as "complementary" differences, is one of new feminism's central tenets.

Redesigning women: is the church's 'new feminism' a good fit?

Because the barriers to progress appear to have all but crumbled, it is common to assume that any of the remaining differences are due to innate, biological factors that naturally separate men and women.

Encouraging science

Contrary to Wright's recommendations, however, the wheelchair was intentionally made the most salient feature of the photograph differences. Other then the photograph, no other additional information was provided about either photographed girls.

Perceptions of children's attitudes towards peers with a severe physical disability

Alerting parents to the relationship between early nonsexual relationships and subsequent early initiation of sexual intercourse, the impact of age differences between partners, the importance of supervision and monitoring even in seemingly "innocent" situations and the effect of early menarche are good examples of the specific guidance that they need.

Early predictors of sexual behavior: implications for young adolescents and their parents

We have entered the variables in this manner so that the way Excel reports the results will give us a positive difference if the growth rate in Grade 6 is bigger than it was during the elementary years.

Using correlational and prediction data to enhance student achievement in K-12 schools: a practical application for school counselors

Folks in the field thought we might see a difference in enrollment information when day and resident camps were compared.

What's happening with camp enrollment?