Word: diverse Part of Speech: adj Etymology: PIE word *dwóh₁ The adjective is derived from Middle English divers, diverse (“different, divergent”), from Anglo-Norman divers, Anglo-Norman divers, and Old French divers (“different; of various kinds”) (modern French divers), and directly from their etymon Latin dīversus (“different, diverse”), an adjective use of the perfect passive participle of dīvertō (“to divert, turn away”), from dī- (variant of dis- (prefix meaning ‘apart, in two’)) + vertō (“to turn”) (ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *wert- (“to rotate; to turn”)). Doublet of divert. The adverb is derived from Middle English diverse (“differently; at various times”), from divers, diverse (adjective) (see above). Pronunciation: /daɪˈvɜːs/, /ˈdaɪ.vɜːs/, /daɪˈvɝs/, /ˈdaɪ.vɝs/, /dɪˈvɝs/ 1. Consisting of different elements; various. 2. Capable of or having various forms in different situations or at different times; multiform. Example: [T]he diverse mone abowt, / Now bryght, now browne, now bent, now full, and now her lyght is owt. Example: Eloquence is a great and diverse thing. 3. Chiefly preceded by a descriptive word: of a community, organization, etc.: composed of people with a variety of different demographic characteristics such as ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status; especially, having a sizeable representation of people who are minorities in the community, organization, etc. Example: The stage reflected the increasingly diverse Democratic party in which women and people of color are ascendant. Three women – two more than have ever shared a stage during a presidential primary debate and one of whom is Hindu – a Latino former congressman and a black senator participated. 4. Not the same; different, dissimilar, distinct. Example: And they gaue them drinke in veſſels of gold, (the veſſels being diuers one from another) and royall wine in abundance, according to the ſtate of the king. Example: [T]h' old Chäos (vvombe of th' Universe) / VVas never made of Members more diverſe. 5. Of a person: belonging to a minority group. Labels: nonstandard Example: The Board's [i.e., Board of Governors'] goal is to commit to doubling the number of women and diverse members of the Academy by 2020. Example: Here to comment is diverse Congresswoman from Ohio—please welcome representative Marcia Fudge. 6. Differing from what is good or right, or beneficial; bad, evil; harmful. Labels: obsolete Example: This kyng Edward the .ii. father to the noble kyng Edward the .iii. had .ii. bretherñ⸝ the one called Marſhall⸝ who was ryght wyld ⁊ diuers of condicions⸝ the other called ſir Aymon erle of Cane right wyse⸝ amiable⸝ gẽtle [gentle] and wellbeloued with al people. Example: [Y]ou that beſt ſhould teach vs, / Haue miſdemean'd your ſelfe, and not a little: / Tovvard the King firſt, then his Lavves, in filling / The vvhole Realme, by your teaching & your Chaplaines / (for ſo vve are inform'd) vvith nevv opinions, / Diuers and dangerous; vvhich are Hereſies; / And not reform'd, may proue pernicious. 7. Having different colours; mottled, variegated. Labels: obsolete 8. Causing one to be indecisive between different viewpoints. Labels: obsolete, rare Example: So many pathes, ſo many turnings ſeene, / That vvhich of them to take, in diuerſe doubt they been.