diverse (or diverse), divers, dyvers, dyverse

& adv. [Fr. divers (m.), diverse (f.), from Lat. divers us different, various, pa. par. of diver to to turn asunder or aside, to divert (q. v.); Sp., Port., & Ital. diver so. Diverse and divers are e entially the same word. According to Trench, implies difference only; diverse implies difference with opposition."] A. As adjective: 1. Different, distinct, separate. "Behold, the flowers are diverse in stature."-Bunyan: Pilgrim's Progre , pt. ii. *2. Several, sundry, various, more than one, divers. IMG:content-0269.png:[blocks in formation] suff.- ous.] Bot.: An epithet applied to a plant or inflorescence which bears flowers of two or more kinds. di-vers-i-form, a . [Lat. divers us = different, diverse, and form a form, appearance.] 1. Ord. Lang.: Of diverse or varied forms; different in form. 2. Bot .: Applied to organs of the same nature but of different forms. ( Balfour .) di-vers-i-fy, *di-vers-i-fie, v . t . [Fr. divers i fier , from Low Lat. divers i fico to make different; Lat. divers us different, and suff. fico = facio =to make; Sp. & Port. divers if i car ; Ital. divers if i care .] 1. To make different from others; to distinguish, to discriminate. "There may be many species of spirits, as much separated and diversified one from another as the species of sensible things are distinguished one from another." -Locke . 2. To give variety to; to variegate. "Pallas disrobes; her radiant veil untied, With tlowers adorned, with art diversified ." Pope: Homer's Iliad , v. 904, 905. 3. To vary, to relieve the monotony of. "The course of parliamentary busine was diversified by another curious and interesting episode." -Macaulay : Hist. Eng ., ch. xv. 2. Figuratively : (1) The act of turning or diverting in any way. "I have ranked this diversion of Christian practice among the effects of our contentions." - More: Decay of Christian Piety. (2) The act of turning or diverting the mind or the thoughts from care, busine or study. (3) That which tends or serves to divert or turn the mind or thoughts from care, busine , or study; that which affords relaxation; a pastime, an amusement. "Both had what seemed extravagant whimsies about dre , diversions, and postures." -Macaulay: Hist. Eng., ch. ii. II. Mil .: The act of drawing off or diverting the attention of the enemy from any design, by making a demonstration or feigned attack at some other point. "Who made that bold diversion In old Thermopylæ." Byron: Greek War Song.