Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary · 1913

Differentiate

Differentiate , transitive verb

1.
To distinguish or mark by a specific difference; to effect a difference in, as regards classification; to develop differential characteristics in; to specialize; to desynonymize.
The word then was differentiated into the two forms then and than. — Earle
Two or more of the forms assumed by the same original word become differentiated in signification. — Dr. Murray
2.
To express the specific difference of; to describe the properties of (a thing) whereby it is differenced from another of the same class; to discriminate. — Earle
3.
(Mathematics) To obtain the differential, or differential coefficient, of; as, to differentiate an algebraic expression, or an equation.

Differentiate , intransitive verb

(Biology) To acquire a distinct and separate character. — Huxley