divergence

American  

[dih-vur-juhns, dahy-] / dɪˈvɜr dʒəns, daɪ- /

noun

1. the act, fact, or amount of diverging.

   a divergence in opinion.

   Synonyms:

   deviation, variation, division, separation

   Antonyms:

   convergence

2. (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.

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

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

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divergence British  

/ daɪˈvɜːdʒəns /

noun

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

2. the condition of being divergent

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

4. maths

   1. 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 gradient

   2. the property of being divergent

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

6. the turning of the eyes outwards in order to fixate an object farther away than that previously being fixated Compare convergence

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 organism Compare convergence

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divergence Scientific  

/ dĭ-vûr′jəns /

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

2. 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.

3. Biology Also called divergent evolution

4. Biology Compare convergence

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Other Word Forms

• nondivergence noun

Etymology

Origin of divergence

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

Example Sentences

Hoff’s fund has paid the price for this divergence—it lags behind the S&P 500 and other value funds.

From Barron's

Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Burkina Faso and Chad saw a rare divergence in temperatures, notching 0.7C to 1.5C above their seasonal average.

From Barron's

The message of chip-sector weakness is coming from what chart watchers refer to as bearish technical divergence, which is when prices continue to trend higher while a widely followed momentum indicator starts trending lower.

From MarketWatch

The divergence between the gross economic statistics and the lived experience of Americans is nothing new.

From Los Angeles Times

The divergence between oil prices and stocks this year reflects a few things.

From Barron's

Related Words

• discrepancy
• disparity
• distinction
• diversity