I. də̇ˈvərjən(t)s, dīˈ-, -və̄j-, -vəij- noun
( -s )
Etymology: Medieval Latin divergere + English -ence
1.
a. : a drawing apart (as of lines extending from a common center)
an angle is formed by the divergence of straight lines
b. : a difference or disagreement in form, character, opinion
growing divergence of opinion between the two countries
— opposed to convergence
c. : the acquisition of dissimilar characters by related organisms or strains under the influence of unlike environments
2. : a turning aside or departure from a direction, course, policy : deviation , digression
divergence from a theoretical norm
3. : dissemination of the effect of activity of a single nerve cell through multiple synaptic connections — compare convergence
4. : the depletion of air in a layer or region of the atmosphere due to outflowing winds
Synonyms: see dissimilarity
II. noun
: the state of being mathematically divergent