divergent
UK[daɪˈvɜːdʒənt]US[daɪˈvɜːrdʒənt]
adj
Tending to be different or develop in different directions.
adj
(of a series) Increasing indefinitely as more of its terms are added.
Morpheme Breakdown
di
verg
ent
di
apart
verg
to bend, to turn
ent
adjective suffix
Etymology
The word 'divergent' originates from the Latin verb 'divergere', which is a composite of the prefix 'di-' (a variant of 'dis-', signifying separation) and 'vergere' (meaning to bend or turn). The literal sense is "to turn or bend apart." This concrete image of moving away from a common point was adopted into scientific and mathematical English, describing lines that extend infinitely apart. Over time, the meaning broadened to its modern abstract sense, describing any ideas, paths, or processes that develop in different directions and become increasingly dissimilar.
Analysis
Structure: di (apart) + verg (to bend, to turn) + ent (adjective suffix)
di- (Latin prefix, variant of 'dis-', meaning 'apart' or 'in different directions'); verg (from Latin 'vergere', meaning 'to bend, to turn, to incline'); -ent (Latin adjectival suffix, meaning 'being in a state or condition').
Examples
The two scientists held divergent views on the cause of the phenomenon.
Over the years, their political opinions became increasingly divergent.
A lens that causes light rays to spread apart is called a divergent lens.