(n)thinking that moves away in diverging directions so as to involve a variety of aspects and which sometimes lead to novel ideas and solutions; associated with creativity, Syn.out-of-the-box thinking, Ant.convergent thinking
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English (GCIDE) v.0.53Collaborative International Dictionary (GCIDE)
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 ]