*verge*

v. t. To cause to tend to one point; to cause to incline and approach nearer together. [ 1913 Webster ]

I converge its rays to a focus of dazzling brilliancy. Tyndall. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ , n. [ Cf. F. convergence. ] 1. The condition or quality of converging; tendency to one point; the occurrence of two or more things coming together. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Math.) the approach of an infinite series to a finite limit.
Syn. -- convergency. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

3. a representation of common ground between theories or phenomena.
Syn. -- overlap, intersection. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

4. the act of converging (coming closer).
Syn. -- converging, convergency. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

5. (Biol.) a similarity of form or function in two or more organisms caused by evolutionary adaptations to a similarity in the environment, rather than to a common heredity. [ PJC ]

The convergence or divergence of the rays falling on the pupil. Berkeley. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Cf. F. convergent. ] tending to one point of focus; tending to approach each other; converging. [ 1913 Webster ]

As many rays of light, as conveniently can be let in, and made convergent. Boyle. [ 1913 Webster ]

The vast dome of its cathedral . . . directing its convergent curves to heaven. Hallam. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ } n. See Divergence. [ Obs. ] [ 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 ]

v. t. 1. To reach; to overtake; to pass. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To get beyond; to get over or recover from. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. verge, L. virga; perhaps akin to E. wisp. ] 1. A rod or staff, carried as an emblem of authority; as, the verge, carried before a dean. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The stick or wand with which persons were formerly admitted tenants, they holding it in the hand, and swearing fealty to the lord. Such tenants were called tenants by the verge. [ Eng. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Eng. Law) The compass of the court of Marshalsea and the Palace court, within which the lord steward and the marshal of the king's household had special jurisdiction; -- so called from the verge, or staff, which the marshal bore. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. A virgate; a yardland. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

5. A border, limit, or boundary of a space; an edge, margin, or brink of something definite in extent. [ 1913 Webster ]

Even though we go to the extreme verge of possibility to invent a supposition favorable to it, the theory . . . implies an absurdity. J. S. Mill. [ 1913 Webster ]

But on the horizon's verge descried,
Hangs, touched with light, one snowy sail. M. Arnold. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. A circumference; a circle; a ring. [ 1913 Webster ]

The inclusive verge
Of golden metal that must round my brow. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

7. (Arch.) (a) The shaft of a column, or a small ornamental shaft. Oxf. Gloss. (b) The edge of the tiling projecting over the gable of a roof. Encyc. Brit. [ 1913 Webster ]

8. (Horol.) The spindle of a watch balance, especially one with pallets, as in the old vertical escapement. See under Escapement. [ 1913 Webster ]

9. (Hort.) (a) The edge or outside of a bed or border. (b) A slip of grass adjoining gravel walks, and dividing them from the borders in a parterre. [ 1913 Webster ]

10. The penis. [ 1913 Webster ]

11. (Zool.) The external male organ of certain mollusks, worms, etc. See Illustration in Appendix. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Border; edge; rim; brim; margin; brink. [ 1913 Webster ]

[ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Verged p. pr. & vb. n. Verging ] [ L. vergere to bend, turn, incline; cf. Skr. v&rsdot_;j to turn. ] 1. To border upon; to tend; to incline; to come near; to approach. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To tend downward; to bend; to slope; as, a hill verges to the north. [ 1913 Webster ]

Our soul, from original instinct, vergeth towards him as its center. Barrow. [ 1913 Webster ]

I find myself verging to that period of life which is to be labor and sorrow. Swift. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Verge + board. Cf. Bargeboard. ] (Arch.) The ornament of woodwork upon the gable of a house, used extensively in the 15th century. It was generally suspended from the edge of the projecting roof (see Verge, n., 4), and in a position parallel to the gable wall. Called also bargeboard. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. The act of verging or approaching; tendency; approach. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Opt.) The reciprocal of the focal distance of a lens, used as measure of the divergence or convergence of a pencil of rays. [ R. ] Humphrey Lloyd. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. verger, from verge a rod. See 1st Verge. ] One who carries a verge, or emblem of office. Specifically: -- [ 1913 Webster ]

(a) An attendant upon a dignitary, as on a bishop, a dean, a justice, etc. [ Eng. ] Strype. [ 1913 Webster ]

(b) The official who takes care of the interior of a church building. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. ] A garden or orchard. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Cf. F. vergeté. ] Divided by pallets, or pales; paly. W. Berry. [ 1913 Webster ]