I. də̇ˈvərj, (ˈ)dī|v-, -və̄j, -vəij verb
( -ed/ing/-s )
Etymology: Medieval Latin divergere, from Latin di- (from dis- apart) + vergere to bend, incline — more at dis- , wrench
intransitive verb
1.
a. : to move or extend in different directions from a common point : draw apart
these two roads diverge like the branches of a Y
— opposed to converge
b. : to become different in character or form : differ in opinion
dialects of the same language have diverged so widely that their relationship is no longer apparent
2.
a. : to turn aside or lead away from a particular route or direction
diverging from his direct path — Thomas Hardy
b. : to turn aside or deviate from a particular policy, course of action, subject, or line of thought : digress
diverge to another topic
: differ in form, character, or opinion
the traditions recorded there diverge from those that my mother handed down — George Santayana
transitive verb
: to cause to take a different direction : deflect
diverge a compass needle
Synonyms: see swerve
II. intransitive verb
: to be mathematically divergent