divergence

[ dih-vur-juhns, dahy- ]

/ dɪˈvɜr dʒəns, daɪ- /

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noun

the act, fact, or amount of diverging: a divergence in opinion.

(in physics, meteorology, etc.) the total amount of flux escaping an infinitesimal volume at a point in a vector field, as the net flow of air from a given region.

Ophthalmology. a turning motion of the eyeballs outward in relation to each other.

Electronics. the spreading of a stream of electrons resulting from their mutual electrostatic repulsion.

OTHER WORDS FOR divergence

1 separation, division, variation, deviation.

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OPPOSITES FOR divergence

1 convergence.

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Origin of divergence

From the Medieval Latin word dīvergentia, dating back to 1650–60. See diverge, -ence

OTHER WORDS FROM divergence

non·di·ver·gence, noun

Words nearby divergence

Divehi, divemaster, diver, diverbium, diverge, divergence, divergency, divergent, divergent plate boundary, divergent thinking, diverging lens

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use divergence in a sentence

This divergence has provoked some economists to argue the Gini should be put back in its bottle, while others defend its continued use.
The main metric economists use to measure inequality is deeply flawed|Amanda Shendruk|December 4, 2020|Quartz
It’s another indicator of the divergence in how the downturn has been experienced in the country.
The covid unemployment problem moves from acute to chronic|Philip Bump|December 4, 2020|Washington Post
Key physical and cultural milestones in modern human evolution, including genetic divergence of ethnic groups.
When Did We Become Fully Human? What Fossils and DNA Tell Us About the Evolution of Modern Intelligence|Nick Longrich|October 18, 2020|Singularity Hub
The divergence came to a head quickly, during the overhaul of NAFTA, which Lighthizer conducted at warp speed for a trade agreement.
Robert Lighthizer Blew Up 60 Years of Trade Policy. Nobody Knows What Happens Next.|by Lydia DePillis|October 13, 2020|ProPublica

Of course, there is also divergence in moral views, and it’s a challenge for any believer in objective value to explain this.
The Universe Knows Right from Wrong - Issue 89: The Dark Side|Philip Goff|September 9, 2020|Nautilus
The increasing tension between Obama's team and Bibi's reflects this basic divergence in interests.
Why’s Al Qaeda So Strong? Washington Has (Literally) No idea|Bruce Riedel|November 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Tris refuses to conform to societal conventions, both in terms of her divergence and her sexuality.
Sex Won’t Kill Young Adult Heroines: ‘Divergent’ and Rape Culture|Amy Zimmerman|March 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And this divergence is taking place even as defense spending is being cut due to the sequester.
Shares of defense contractors rise as Syria tensions mount|Sarah Langs|August 29, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The study weighed more than a dozen factors to see which were causing the divergence in mortality rates.
Does Joblessness Lower Life Expectancy?|Justin Green|May 30, 2013|DAILY BEAST
This divergence has an impact on other measurements of social health.
Poverty and Growth: Retro-Urbanists Cling to the Myth of Suburban Decline|Joel Kotkin, Wendell Cox|May 21, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Yet the divergence of these Nonjurors from the National Church was, after all, far more apparent than real.
The English Church in the Eighteenth Century|Charles J. Abbey and John H. Overton
The reason for this apparent divergence between the provisions of the statute and the facts of the case is given by Burnet.
The Influence and Development of English Gilds|Francis Aiden Hibbert
Every one who spoke had studied the data and the ground and there was no divergence of view, which was a comfort.
Gallipoli Diary, Volume 2|Ian Hamilton
This ceremony was common to all; but here divergence set in.
Auld Licht Idylls|J. M. Barrie
Yet there are "many traces of apparent anachronism," of divergence from the more antique picture of life.
Homer and His Age|Andrew Lang

British Dictionary definitions for divergence

divergence

/ (daɪˈvɜːdʒəns) /

noun

the act or result of diverging or the amount by which something diverges

the condition of being divergent

meteorol the outflowing of airstreams from a particular area, caused by expanding air

maths

the scalar product of the operator, ∇, and a vector function, A, where ∇= i ∂/∂ x + j ∂/∂ y + k ∂/∂ z, and i, j, and k are unit vectors. Usually written: div A, ∇ A, or ∇A.See curl (def. 11), gradient (def. 4)
the property of being divergent

the spreading of a stream of electrons as a result of their mutual electrostatic repulsion

the turning of the eyes outwards in order to fixate an object farther away than that previously being fixatedCompare convergence (def. 7)

Also called: divergent evolution the evolutionary development of structures or organisms that differ from each other in form and function but have evolved from the same basic structure or organismCompare convergence (def. 5)

Also called (for senses 1, 2): divergency

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for divergence

divergence

[ dĭ-vûr′jəns ]

Mathematics The property or manner of failing to approach a limit, such as a point, line, or value.

Biology The evolution of different forms or structures in related species as they adapt to different environments. An example of divergence is the development of wings in bats from the same bones that form the arm and hand or paw in most other mammals. Also called divergent evolution Compare convergence.

divergence

OTHER WORDS FOR divergence

OPPOSITES FOR divergence

Origin of divergence

OTHER WORDS FROM divergence

Words nearby divergence

Words related to divergence

How to use divergence in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for divergence

Scientific definitions for divergence