differentiate in WordNet English dictionary

1. become distinct and acquire a different character
   differentiate 
   
2. become different during development
   "cells differentiate"
   differentiate 
   
3. evolve so as to lead to a new species or develop in a way most suited to the environment
   speciate  differentiate  specialize  specialise 
   
4. calculate a derivative; take the derivative
   differentiate 
   
5. mark as different
   "We distinguish several kinds of maple"
   distinguish  separate  differentiate  secern  secernate  severalize  severalise  tell  tell apart 
   
6. be a distinctive feature, attribute, or trait; sometimes in a very positive sense
   "His modesty distinguishes him from his peers"
   distinguish  mark  differentiate