diverse 
diverse (di-vers'), adv. In different directions. 
And witll tendrils creep diverse. Philips. 
diverset (di-vers'), . [< ME. diversen, < OF. 
diverse); make or be diverse, differ, diverge, 
= Pg. diversar, discern, 
1704 
2. That which diverts ; that which turns some- 
thing from its proper or natural course or ten- 
dency ; specifically, that which turns or draws 
the mind from care, business, or study, and thus 
diversare, diverge, .__, . , .... 
of divertere, turn or go different ways : see di- 
vert, diverse, a., divers, a.] I. trans. To make 
diverse; diversify. Chaucer. 
II. intrans. 1. To differ; be diverse. 
lewes, Gentiles, and Sarrasines iugen hemselue 
Thatlecliche thei by-leyuen and gut here [their] law dy- 
uerseth. Piers Plowman (C), xvm. 133. 
2. To turn aside ; turn out of one's way. 
nisli an agreeable diversion to the studious. 
Fortunes, honours, friends, 
Are mere diversions from love's proper object, 
Which only is itself. Sir J. Denham, The Sophy. 
We will now, for our diversion, entertain ourselves with 
a set of riddles, and see if we can find a key to them among 
the ancient poets. Addison, Ancient Medals, ii. 
The necessities of hunger and thirst were his greatest 
diversions from the reflection on his lonely condition. 
Steele, Englishman, No. 26. 
-If.] in 
differently; variously. 
Wonder it is to see in diverse mindes 
How dioersly love doth his pageaunts play. 
Spenser, F. Q., III. v. 1. 
In the teaching of men diversly temper'd different ways 
are to be try'd. Milton, Apology for Smectymnuus. 
attack is to be made, as by an attack or alarm 
on one wing of an army when the principal at- 
is to be made on the other wing or the 
diversifiable (di-ver'si-fi-a-bl), a. [= : 
sifiable= Pg. diversificavel"; as diversify + -able.] 
That may be diversified or varied. 
The almost infinitely diversifiable contextures of all the 
small parts. Boyle, Works, IV. 281. 
diversification (di-vfcr"si-fi-ka' shon), n. [= F. 
diversification = It. diversificazione, < ML. *diver- 
sificatio(n-), < diversificare, diversify: see diver- 
sify.] 1. The act of changing forms or quali- 
ties, or of making various : as, diversification of 
labor. 
There will be small reason to deny these to be true col- 
ours, which more manifestly than others disclose them- 
selves to be produced by diversifications of the light. 
Boyle, Works, I. 691. 
In business, diversification and rivalry should be encour- 
aged rather than stamped out by the iron heel of grasping 
monopoly. S. Bowles, in Merriara, II. 388. 
2f. Diversity or variation; change; alteration: 
as, "diversification of voice," Sir M. Hale. 
diversified (di-ver' si-fid), p. a. [Pp. of diversi- 
fy, v.] Distinguished by various forms, or by 
a variety of objects : as, diversified scenery ; a 
diversified landscape ; diversified industry. 
diversiflorous (di-ver-si-flo'rus), a. [= F. di- 
versifiore, < NL. diversifiorus, < L. diversus, va- 
rious, + flos (flor-), > E. flower.] In bot., bear- 
ing flowers of two or more sorts. 
diversifplious (di-ver-si-fo'li-us), a. [< NL. di- 
versifolius; < L. diversus, various, + folium, leaf, 
+ -ous.] In bot., having leaves differing in form 
or color, etc. 
diversiform (di-ver'si-f6rm), a. [= F. Sp. 
diversiforme, < L. diversus, various, + forma, 
shape.] Of a different form ; of various forms. 
It [search] produced a marvellous facility for detecting 
doubtful or imperfect truths, an instinctive recognition of 
the manifold diversiform phases that every speculative or 
moral truth must necessarily possess. 
J. Owen, Evenings with Skeptics, I. 305. 
diversify (di-ver'si-fi), v. t. ; pret. and pp. di- 
versified, ppr. diversifying. [< F. diversifier = 
Pr. diversifiar, diversificar = Sp. Pg. diversificar 
= It. diversificare, < ML. diversificare, < L. diver- 
sus, diverse, +facere, make.] To make diverse 
or various in form or qualities; give variety or 
diversity to : as, to diversify the colors of a fabric ; 
mountains, plains, trees, and lakes diversify the 
landscape ; to diversify labor. 
It was much easier ... for Homer to find proper sen- 
timents for an assembly of Grecian generals than for Mil- 
ton to diversify his infernal council with proper characters. 
Addison, Spectator, No. 279. 
This soul of ours . . . 
Doth use, on divers objects, divers powers ; 
And so are her effects diverstfy'd. 
Sir J. Dames, Immortal, of Soul, xi. 
diversiloquent (di-ver-sil'o-kwent), a. [< L. 
diversus, different, + loquen(t-)s, ppr. of loqui, 
speak.] Speaking in different ways. Craig. 
[Rare.] 
diversion (di-ver'shon), n. [= G. Dan. Sw. di- 
version, < F. diversion = Sp. diversion = Pg. di- 
versao = It. diversione, < ML. diversio(n-), < L. di- 
vertere, pp. diversus, divert : see divert.] 1. The 
act of turning aside from a course ; a turning 
into a different direction or to a different point 
or destination: as, the diversion of a stream 
from its usual channel ; the diversion of the mind 
from business or study, or to another object. 
Cutting off the tops and pulling off the buds work re- 
tention of the sap for a time, and diversion of it to the 
sprouts that were not forward. Bacon, Nat. Hist. 
draw one's attention away from a point aimed 
at, or a desired object. =Syn. 2. Amusement, Recrea- 
tion, etc. (see pastime), relaxation. 
diversity (di-ver'si-ti), n. ; pi. diversities (-tiz). 
[< ME. diversite, < OF. diversite, F. diversite = Pr. 
diversitat = Sp. diversidad = Pg. diversidade = 
It. diversitd, < L. diversita(t-)s, difference, con- 
trariety, < diversus, different, diverse: see di- 
verse, divers, a.] 1. The fact of difference be- 
tween two or more things or kinds ; essential 
difference; variety; separateness : as, the di- 
versity in unity of the true church ; the diversity 
of objects in a landscape. 
That Babyloyne that I have spoken offe, where that the 
Soudan duellethe, is not that gret Babyloyne where the 
Dyversitee of Langages was first made. 
Mandeville, Travels, p. 40. 
Great diuersytie between pryde and honesty is seene. 
Babees Book (E. E. T. S.), p. 89. 
Then is there In this diversity no contrariety. 
Hooker, Eccles. Polity. 
Strange and several noises 
Of roaring, shrieking, howling, jingling chains, 
And more diversity of sounds. Shak., Tempest, v. 1. 
2. That in which two or more things differ ; a 
difference ; a distinction : as, diversities of opin- 
ion. 3f. Variegation; diversification. 
Blushing in bright diversities of day. 
Pope, Moral Essays, iv. 84. 
Diversity Of person, in law, a plea by a prisoner in bar 
of execution, alleging that he is not the same who was at- 
tainted. Diversity of reasont, that diversity by which 
things are distinguished only in conception. Diversity 
of reason reasonedt, a distinction arising from two 
ways of conceiving a thing, as when we say that a trilateral 
figure is a triangle. Diversity of reason reasoning!, 
a distinction arising from a thing being conceived twice 
over in the same way, as when we say that A is A. Di- 
versity of the diameter, in the Ptolemaic theory of the 
moon, an arc of the ecliptic by which the prosthapheresis 
of the epicycle is greater in perigee than in apogee. Also 
called the excess. Real diversity, such a distinction 
that some fact is true of one or more things which is not 
true of another or others. = Syn. Dissimilarity, etc. See 
difference. 
diversivolentt, a. [< L. diversus, contrary, + 
volen(t-~)s, ppr. of velle, will, desire: see divers, 
a., and voluntary.] Desiring strife. [Rare.] 
Yon diversivolent lawyer, mark him ! knaves turn in- 
formers, as maggots turn to flies ; you may catch gudgeons 
with either. Webster, White Devil, iii. 2. 
diverslyt, adv. See diversely. 
diverse intuitu (di-ver' so in-tu'i-tii). [LL. : 
L. diverse, abl. masc. of diversus, different ; in- 
tuitu, abl. of intuitus, look, view, consideration, 
< intuere, look upon, consider: see divers and 
intuition.] In law, from a different motive or 
purpose ; with a diverse intention. Thus, if two 
persons together contract with a third, but each engages 
for a separate thing on a separate consideration, although 
by the same instrument, they may be said to contract di- 
verso intuitu, as distinguished from contracting jointly, 
or as by principal and collateral stipulations. 
diversoryt (di-ver'so-ri), a. [< L. as if *diver- 
sorius, < divertere, pp. diversus, divert: see di- 
vert.] Serving to divert. North. 
divert (di-vert ), v. [< ME. diverten = D. diver- 
teren = Gr. divertiren = Dan. divertere = Sw. 
divertera, < OF. divertir, F. divertir = Sp. Pg. 
divertir = It. divertire, divertere, < L. divertere, 
divortere, turn or go different ways, part, sepa- 
rate, divert, < di- for dis-, apart, + vertere, 
vortere, turn : see verse. Cf . avert, advert, con- 
vert, evert, invert, etc.] I. trans. 1. To turn 
aside or away; change the direction or course 
of; cause to move or act in a different line or 
manner: as, to divert a stream from its bed; 
to divert the mind from its troubles ; he was di- 
verted from his purpose. 
This tastes of passion, 
And that must not divert the course of justice. 
Fletcher, Spanish Curate, iii. 3. 
divertise 
0, impious sight ! 
Let me divert mine eyes. 
B. Jonson, Poetaster, iv. 3. 
Other care perhaps 
May have diverted from continual watch 
Our great Forbidder. Uilton, P. L., ix. 813. 
2. To turn to a different point or end ; change 
the aim or destination of; draw to another 
course, purpose, or destiny. 
He has diverted all the ladies, and all your company 
thither, to frustrate your provision, and stick a disgrace 
upon you. B. Jonxon, Epiccene, iii. 1. 
Miss Noble earned ... a small basket, into which she 
diverted a bit of sugar, which she had first dropped in her 
saucer as if by mistake. George Eliot, Middlemarch, 1. 185. 
3. To turn from customary or serious occupa- 
tion; furnish diversion to ; amuse; entertain. 
It [Emmaus] is the pleasantest spot about Jerusalem, 
and the Jews frequently come out here on the sabbath to 
divert themselves. 
Pococke, Description of the East, II. i. 48. 
0, 1 have been vastly diverted with the story ! Ha ! ha i 
ha ! Sheridan, School for Scandal, v. 2. 
4f. To subvert ; destroy. 
Frights, changes, horrors, 
Divert and crack, rend and deracinate 
The unity and married calm of states. 
Shak., T. and C., i. 3. 
=Syn. 1. To draw away. See absent, a. 3. Amuse, Di- 
vert, Entertain,' etc. (see amuse); to delight, exhilarate. 
Il.t intrans. To turn aside; turn out of one's 
way; digress. 
If our thoughts do at any time wander, and divert upon 
other objects, bring them back again with prudent and 
severe arts. Jer. Taylor, Holy Living, iv. 7. 
I diverted to see one of the prince's palaces. 
Evelyn, Diary, Sept. 1, 1641. 
diverter (di-ver'ter), n. One who or that which 
diverts. /. Walton. 
divertible (di-ver'ti-bl), a. [< divert + -ible.] 
Capable of being diverted. 
diverticle (di-ver'ti-kl), n. [< L. diverticulum, 
more correctly deverticulum, old form devorti- 
culum, a byway, a digression, an inn, < dever- 
tere, devortere, turn away, turn aside, < de, 
away, + vertere, vortere, turn.] If. A turning ; 
a byway. 
The diverticles and blind by-paths which sophistry and 
deceit are wont to tread. Hales, Golden Remains, p. 12. 
2. In anat., a diverticulum. [Rare.] 
diverticula, n. Plural of diverticulum. 
diverticular (di-ver-tik'u-lar), a. [< diverti- 
culum + -ar3.] Pertaining'to or of the nature 
of a diverticulum. 
Another form of respiratory organ is developed from 
the wall of the gut, in the form of a diverticular out- 
growth of the anterior portion of that organ. 
Geffenbaur, Comp. Anat. (trans.), p. 49. 
diverticulated (di-ver-tik'u-la-ted), a. [< di- 
verticulum + -ate 2 + -ed 2 .] ' 1. Made or become 
a diverticulum; given off as a blind process; 
csecal. 2. Furnished with one or more diver- 
ticula ; having blind processes. 
diverticulum (dl-ver-tik'u-lum), n. ; pi. diver- 
ticula (-la). [NL., a specific use of L. diverti- 
culum: see diverticle.] In anat., a csscum; a 
blind tubular process; a hollow offset ending 
blindly ; a cul-de-sac. Diverticula are very frequent 
formations, especially in connection with the alimentary 
canal, in which case they are usually known as cceca. 
(See cut under alimentary.) The term, however, is of 
very general applicability. 
The lungs of the air-breathing Vertebrata ... are di- 
verticula of the alimentary canal. 
Huxley, Anat. Invert., p. 59. 
Diverticulum superius ventriculi tertii (upper di- 
verticulum of the third ventricle), the recessus infra pine- 
alis (which see, under pineal). 
diverting (di-ver'ting), p. a. [Ppr. of divert, v.] 
Pleasing; amusing; entertaining: as, a divert- 
ing scene or sport. 
The Little Plays were very Diverting to me, particularly 
those of Moliere. Lister, Journey to Paris, p. 171. 
divertingly ( di-ver' ting-li), adv. In a manner 
that diverts ; so as to divert ; amusingly. 
He confuted it by saying that it was not meant of boys 
in age, but in manners, . . . and then added, divertingly, 
that this argument therefore arose of wrong understand- 
ing the word. Strype, Aylmer, xiv. 
divertingness (di-ver'ting-nes), n. The qual- 
ity of affording diversion. Bailey, 1727. [Rare.] 
divertisantt, a. [< F. divertissant, ppr. of di- 
vertir, divert,: see divertise.] Diverting; enter- 
taining; interesting. 
Doubtlesse one of the most divertisant and considerable 
vistas in ye world. Evelyn, Diary, Jan. 31, 1645. 
divertiset, v. t. [< F. divertiss-, stem of certain 
parts of divertir, divert: see divert.] To divert: 
amuse ; entertain. 
But how shall we divertise ourselves till Supper be 
ready? Wycherley, Gentleman Dancing-Master, i. 1. 
