2 VERB [no cont] If one opinion or idea diverges from another, they contradict each other or are different. You can also say that two opinions or ideas diverge . □ [V + from ] The view of the Estonian government does not diverge that far from Lipmaa's thinking. □ [V ] Needless to say, theory and practice sometimes diverged.
3 VERB If one road, path, or route diverges from another, they lead in different directions after starting from the same place. You can also say that roads, paths, or routes diverge . □ [V + from ] …a course that diverged from the Calvert Island coastline. □ [V ] Where three roads diverge take the middle branch.
di|ver|gence /da I vɜː r dʒ ə ns, [AM ] d I -/ (divergences ) N‑VAR A divergence is a difference between two or more things, attitudes, or opinions. [FORMAL ] □ There's a substantial divergence of opinion within the party.
di|ver|gent /da I vɜː r dʒ ə nt, [AM ] d I -/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Divergent things are different from each other. [FORMAL ] □ …two people who have divergent views on this question.
di|verse /da I vɜː r s, [AM ] d I -/
1 ADJ If a group or range of things is diverse , it is made up of a wide variety of things. □ …shops selling a diverse range of gifts.
2 ADJ Diverse people or things are very different from each other. □ Jones has a much more diverse and perhaps younger audience.
di|ver|si|fy /da I vɜː r s I fa I , [AM ] d I -/ (diversifies , diversifying , diversified ) VERB When an organization or person diversifies into other things, or diversifies their range of something, they increase the variety of things that they do or make. □ [V + into ] The company's troubles started only when it diversified into new products. □ [V ] Manufacturers have been encouraged to diversify. □ [V n] These firms have been given a tough lesson in the need to diversify their markets. ● di|ver|si|fi|ca|tion /da I vɜː r s I f I ke I ʃ ə n, [AM ] d I -/ (diversifications ) N‑VAR □ The seminar was to discuss diversification of agriculture.
di|ver|sion /da I vɜː r ʃ ə n, [AM ] d I vɜː rʒ ə n/ (diversions )
1 N‑COUNT A diversion is an action or event that attracts your attention away from what you are doing or concentrating on. □ The robbers threw smoke bombs to create a diversion.
2 N‑COUNT A diversion is an activity that you do for pleasure. [FORMAL ] □ Finger painting is very messy but an excellent diversion.
3 N‑COUNT A diversion is a special route arranged for traffic to follow when the normal route cannot be used. [BRIT ] □ They turned back because of traffic diversions. in AM, use detour 4 N‑UNCOUNT The diversion of something involves changing its course or destination. □ [+ of ] …the illegal diversion of profits from secret arms sales.
di|ver|sion|ary /da I vɜː r ʃənri, [AM ] d I vɜː rʒəneri/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] A diversionary activity is one intended to attract people's attention away from something which you do not want them to think about, know about, or deal with. □ Fires were started by the prisoners as a diversionary tactic.
di|ver|sity /da I vɜː r s I ti, [AM ] d I -/ (diversities )
1 N‑VAR The diversity of something is the fact that it contains many very different elements. □ …the cultural diversity of British society.
2 N‑SING A diversity of things is a range of things which are very different from each other. □ [+ of ] His object is to gather as great a diversity of material as possible.
di|vert /da I vɜː r t, [AM ] d I -/ (diverts , diverting , diverted )
1 VERB To divert vehicles or travellers means to make them follow a different route or go to a different destination than they originally intended. You can also say that someone or something diverts from a particular route or to a particular place. [BRIT ] □ [V n + from/to ] …Rainham Marshes, east London, where a new bypass will divert traffic from the A13. □ [V n] We diverted a plane to rescue 100 passengers. □ [V + from/to ] She insists on diverting to a village close to the airport. in AM, use detour 2 VERB To divert money or resources means to cause them to be used for a different purpose. □ [V n prep/adv] The government is trying to divert more public funds from west to east. [Also V n]
3 VERB To divert a phone call means to send it to a different number or place from the one that was dialled by the person making the call. □ [V n prep/adv] He instructed switchboard staff to divert all Laura's calls to him. [Also V n]
4 VERB If you say that someone diverts your attention from something important or serious, you disapprove of them behaving or talking in a way that stops you thinking about it. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ [V n prep/adv] They want to divert the attention of the people from the real issues. [Also V n]
di|vert|ing /da I vɜː r t I ŋ, [AM ] d I -/ ADJ If you describe something as diverting , you mean that it is amusing or entertaining. [OLD-FASHIONED ]
di|vest /da I ve st, [AM ] d I -/ (divests , divesting , divested )
1 VERB If you divest yourself of something that you own or are responsible for, you get rid of it or stop being responsible for it. [FORMAL ] □ [V pron-refl + of ] The company divested itself of its oil interests.
2 VERB If something or someone is divested of a particular quality, they lose that quality or it is taken away from them. [FORMAL ] □ [be V -ed + of ] …in the 1960s, when sexual love had been divested of sin. □ [V n + of ] They have divested rituals of their original meaning.