/mhw>, n.. (Zool.) A small water bird. See Dabchick. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. One who, or that which, dives. [ 1913 Webster ]

Divers and fishers for pearls. Woodward. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Fig.: One who goes deeply into a subject, study, or business. “A diver into causes.” Sir H. Wotton. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Zool.) Any bird of certain genera, as Urinator (formerly Colymbus), or the allied genus Colymbus, or Podiceps, remarkable for their agility in diving. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ The northern diver (Urinator imber) is the loon; the black diver or velvet scoter (Oidemia fusca) is a sea duck. See Loon, and Scoter. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. diverbium the colloquial part of a comedy, dialogue; di- = dis- + verbum word. ] A saying in which two members of the sentence are contrasted; an antithetical proverb. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Italy, a paradise for horses, a hell for women, as the diverb goes. Burton. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ L. diverberatus, p. p. of diverberare to strike asunder; di- = dis- + verberare. See Verberate. ] To strike or sound through. [ R. ] Davies (Holy Roode). [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A sounding through. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Diverged p. pr. & vb. n. Diverging. ] [ L. di- = dis- + vergere to bend, incline. See Verge. ] 1. To extend from a common point in different directions; to tend from one point and recede from each other; to tend to spread apart; to turn aside or deviate (as from a given direction); -- opposed to converge; as, rays of light diverge as they proceed from the sun. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To differ from a typical form; to vary from a normal condition; to dissent from a creed or position generally held or taken. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Divergence.

{ } n. [ Cf. F. divergence. ] 1. A receding from each other in moving from a common center; the state of being divergent; as, an angle is made by the divergence of straight lines. [ 1913 Webster ]

Rays come to the eye in a state of divergency. &unr_;&unr_;&unr_;&unr_;&unr_;&unr_;. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Disagreement; difference. [ 1913 Webster ]

Related with some divergence by other writers. Sir G. C. Lewis. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Cf. F. divergent. See Diverge. ] 1. Receding farther and farther from each other, as lines radiating from one point; deviating gradually from a given direction; -- opposed to convergent. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Optics) Causing divergence of rays; as, a divergent lens. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Fig.: Disagreeing from something given; differing; as, a divergent statement. [ 1913 Webster ]

Divergent series. (Math.) See Diverging series, under Diverging. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Tending in different directions from a common center; spreading apart; divergent. [ 1913 Webster ]

Diverging series (Math.), a series whose terms are larger as the series is extended; a series the sum of whose terms does not approach a finite limit when the series is extended indefinitely; -- opposed to a converging series. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In a diverging manner. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ F. divers, L. diversus turned in different directions, different, p. p. of divertere. See Divert, and cf. Diverse. ] 1. Different in kind or species; diverse. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Every sect of them hath a divers posture. Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

Thou shalt not sow thy vineyard with divers seeds. Deut. xxii. 9. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Several; sundry; various; more than one, but not a great number; as, divers philosophers. Also used substantively or pronominally. [ 1913 Webster ]

Divers of Antonio's creditors. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ Divers is now limited to the plural; as, divers ways (not divers way). Besides plurality it ordinarily implies variety of kind. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ The same word as divers. See Divers. ] 1. Different; unlike; dissimilar; distinct; separate. [ 1913 Webster ]

The word . . . is used in a sense very diverse from its original import. J. Edwards. [ 1913 Webster ]

Our roads are diverse: farewell, love! said she. R. Browning. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Capable of various forms; multiform. [ 1913 Webster ]

Eloquence is a great and diverse thing. B. Jonson. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In different directions; diversely. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To turn aside. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

The redcross knight diverst, but forth rode Britomart. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. 1. In different ways; differently; variously. “Diversely interpreted.” Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

How diversely love doth his pageants play. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. In different directions; to different points. [ 1913 Webster ]

On life's vast ocean diversely we sail. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The quality of being diverse. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The quality or capacity of being diversifiable. Earle. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Capable of being diversified or varied. Boyle. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ See Diversify. ] 1. The act of making various, or of changing form or quality. Boyle. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. State of diversity or variation; variegation; modification; change; alternation. [ 1913 Webster ]

Infinite diversifications of tints may be produced. Adventurer. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Distinguished by various forms, or by a variety of aspects or objects; variegated; as, diversified scenery or landscape. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who, or that which, diversifies. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. diversus diverse + -form. ] Of a different form; of varied forms. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Diversified p. pr. & vb. n. Diversifying. ] [ F. diversifier, LL. diversificare, fr. L. diversus diverse + ficare (in comp.), akin to facere to make. See Diverse. ] To make diverse or various in form or quality; to give variety to; to variegate; to distinguish by numerous differences or aspects. [ 1913 Webster ]

Separated and diversified on from another. Locke. [ 1913 Webster ]

Its seven colors, that diversify all the face of nature. I. Taylor. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. diversus diverse + loquens, p. pr. of loqui to speak. ] Speaking in different ways. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. F. diversion. See Divert. ] 1. The act of turning aside from any course, occupation, or object; as, the diversion of a stream from its channel; diversion of the mind from business. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. That which diverts; that which turns or draws the mind from care or study, and thus relaxes and amuses; sport; play; pastime; as, the diversions of youth. “Public diversions.” V. Knox. [ 1913 Webster ]

Such productions of wit and humor as expose vice and folly, furnish useful diversion to readers. Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Mil.) The act of drawing the attention and force of an enemy from the point where the principal attack is to be made; the attack, alarm, or feint which diverts.

Syn. -- Amusement; entertainment; pastime; recreation; sport; game; play; solace; merriment. [ 1913 Webster ]

adj. likely or designed to confuse or deceive; -- of tactics. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n.; pl. Diversities [ F. diversité, L. diversitas, fr. diversus. See Diverse. ] 1. A state of difference; dissimilitude; unlikeness. [ 1913 Webster ]

They will prove opposite; and not resting in a bare diversity, rise into a contrariety. South. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Multiplicity of difference; multiformity; variety. “Diversity of sounds.” Shak. “Diversities of opinion.” Secker. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Variegation. “Bright diversities of day.” Pope.

Syn. -- See Variety. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. diversus diverse + volens, -entis, p. pr. of velle to wish. ] Desiring different things. [ Obs. ] Webster (White Devil). [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Serving or tending to divert; also, distinguishing. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. diversorium, deversorium, an inn or lodging. ] A wayside inn. [ Obs. or R. ] Chapman. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Diverted; p. pr. & vb. n. Diverting. ] [ F. divertir, fr. L. divertere, diversum, to go different ways, turn aside; di- = dis- + vertere to turn. See Verse, and cf. Divorce. ] 1. To turn aside; to turn off from any course or intended application; to deflect; as, to divert a river from its channel; to divert commerce from its usual course. [ 1913 Webster ]

That crude apple that diverted Eve. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To turn away from any occupation, business, or study; to cause to have lively and agreeable sensations; to amuse; to entertain; as, children are diverted with sports; men are diverted with works of wit and humor. [ 1913 Webster ]

We are amused by a tale, diverted by a comedy. C. J. Smith.

Syn. -- To please; gratify; amuse; entertain; exhilarate; delight; recreate. See Amuse. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To turn aside; to digress. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

I diverted to see one of the prince's palaces. Evelyn. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who, or that which, diverts, turns off, or pleases. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Capable of being diverted. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. diverticulum, deverticulum, a bypath, fr. divertere to turn away. ] 1. A turning; a byway; a bypath. [ Obs. ] Hales. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Anat.) A diverticulum. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. (Anat.) Pertaining to a diverticulum. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n.; pl. Diverticula [ L. See Diverticle. ] (Anat.) A blind tube branching out of a longer one. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n.; pl. -ti [ It. ] (Mus.) A light and pleasing composition. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Amusing; entertaining. -- Di*vert"ing*ly, adv. -- Di*vert"ing*ness, n. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ F. divertir, p. pr. divertissant. ] To divert; to entertain. [ Obs. ] Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. the next word. ] Diversion; amusement; recreation. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n. [ F. ] A short ballet, or other entertainment, between the acts of a play. Smart. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ From Divert. ] Tending to divert; diverting; amusing; interesting. [ 1913 Webster ]

Things of a pleasant and divertive nature. Rogers. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Zool.) The dabchick. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Not to be diverted or turned aside. [ R. ] Lamb. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Perh. fr. OF. saïn grease, fat + de of + verre glass (cf. Saim), or fr. F. sel de verre sandiver. ] A whitish substance which is cast up, as a scum, from the materials of glass in fusion, and, floating on the top, is skimmed off; -- called also glass gall. [ Formerly written also sandever. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To diversify aggain what is already diversified. [ R. ] Sir M. Hale. [ 1913 Webster ]