differentia

 
Pronunciation: /ˌdɪfəˈrɛnʃɪə/

noun (plural differentiae /-ʃɪiː/)

  • a distinguishing mark or characteristic.
  • chiefly Philosophy an attribute that distinguishes a species of thing from other species of the same genus.

Origin:

late 17th century: from Latin, literally 'difference', from different- 'carrying away' (see different)