Definitions
- Referring to a digression or deviation from the main topic of discussion. - Talking about a wandering or rambling speech or writing that lacks focus or coherence. - Describing a meandering or circuitous path or route taken while traveling.
- Referring to a departure or divergence from a standard, norm, or expected course of action. - Talking about a statistical measure of how much a set of data varies from the mean or average. - Describing a change or alteration from an established plan or procedure.
List of Similarities
- 1Both words refer to a departure or deviation from a norm or expected course.
- 2Both can be used in a figurative or literal sense.
- 3Both can be used in technical or non-technical contexts.
What is the difference?
- 1Focus: Divagation emphasizes a wandering or rambling quality, while deviation emphasizes a departure from a standard or norm.
- 2Usage: Divagation is more commonly used in literary or artistic contexts, while deviation is more commonly used in technical or scientific contexts.
- 3Connotation: Divagation can have a negative connotation of being unfocused or lacking coherence, while deviation can have a neutral or even positive connotation of being innovative or creative.
- 4Scope: Divagation is often used to describe a small or minor deviation, while deviation can refer to a wide range of departures from a norm or standard.
- 5Measurement: Deviation can be quantified and measured statistically, while divagation cannot.
Remember this!
Divagation and deviation both refer to a departure or deviation from a norm or expected course, but they differ in their focus, usage, connotation, scope, and measurement. Divagation emphasizes a wandering or rambling quality and is more commonly used in literary or artistic contexts, while deviation emphasizes a departure from a standard or norm and is more commonly used in technical or scientific contexts. Divagation can have a negative connotation of being unfocused or lacking coherence, while deviation can have a neutral or even positive connotation of being innovative or creative.
