differentiant Math.
(dɪfəˈrɛnʃɪənt)
Also differenciant.
[f. pr. ppl. stem of med.L. differentiā-re or F. différentier: see next and -ant1.]
A rational integral function of elements a, b, c,.., which elements multiplied by binomial coefficients are the coefficients in a binary quantic, which remains unchanged when for them are substituted the elements of the new quantic obtained by putting x + hy for x in the original quantic (Sylvester).
| 1878 Sylvester in Phil. Mag. March, I propose to give a systematic developement of the Calculus of Invariants, taking a differentiant as the primordial germ or unit. |