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

This type of divergence for the two indexing approaches has been rare over recent decades.

From MarketWatch

—Bitcoin rose modestly as it showed some divergence from falls in U.S. stocks overnight, although its recovery remains tepid in the wake of its recent selloff.

From The Wall Street Journal

The likely explanation lies in a divergence between the American and South Korean markets, as well as Samsung and Micron’s stock in recent years.

From Barron's

Such divergence has only been seen a few other times in the past quarter-century, and it has historically coincided with a major reshuffling of market leadership.

From MarketWatch

However, the one-hour chart shows two bullish divergences on the relative strength index, with lower “wicks” signaling hesitation to break lower immediately, he says.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• discrepancy
• disparity
• distinction
• diversity