Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary · 1913

differentia

differentia , noun

[L. See Difference.]

1.
(Logic) The formal or distinguishing part of the essence of a species, by which it is distinguished from other members of its genus; the characteristic attribute of a species; specific difference; as, a proper definition must have both genus and differentia.
2.
the set of characteristics distinguishing an entity from related entities.