divergence

/daɪˈvɜrʤəns/

Other forms: divergences

The point where two things split off from each other is called a divergence. When you're walking in the woods and face a divergence in the path, you have to make a choice about which way to go.

A divergence doesn't have to be a physical split — it can also be a philosophical division. The divergence of opinion between a school board and a group of parents might cause such a heated argument that the students at the meeting are obviously better behaved than the adults. Divergence can also mean a deviation from standards or norms, like the divergence between your state's anti-littering laws and those of your neighboring states.

Definitions of divergence

1. noun

   the act of moving away in different direction from a common point
   “an angle is formed by the divergence of two straight lines”

   synonyms: divergency

   type of:

   separation

   the act of dividing or disconnecting
2. noun

   a difference between conflicting facts or claims or opinions
   “a growing divergence of opinion”

   synonyms: disagreement, discrepancy, variance

   types:

   allowance, leeway, margin, tolerance

   a permissible difference; allowing some freedom to move within limits

   type of:

   difference

   the quality of being unlike or dissimilar
3. noun

   a variation that deviates from the standard or norm
   synonyms: departure, deviation, difference

   types:

   discrepancy, variance, variant

   an event that departs from expectations

   driftage

   the deviation (by a vessel or aircraft) from its intended course due to drifting

   flection, flexion, inflection

   deviation from a straight or normal course

   type of:

   fluctuation, variation

   an instance of change; the rate or magnitude of change
4. noun

   an infinite series that has no limit
   synonyms: divergency

   antonyms:

   convergence

   the approach of an infinite series to a finite limit

   type of:

   series

   (mathematics) the sum of a finite or infinite sequence of expressions