To make or become more diverse or varied; to spread into different areas or types. Commonly used in business to describe expanding into different markets or products to reduce risk.
From Medieval Latin 'diversificare' (diversus 'different' + facere 'to make'). 'Diversus' comes from 'divertere' meaning 'to turn in different directions'. The word entered English in the 15th century, initially used in general contexts before becoming prominent in financial terminology.
The 'vers' in diversify is the same root that gives us 'universe' (turned into one) and 'reverse' (turned back)—so diversifying literally means 'turning in different directions'! It's the opposite of universe: instead of everything turned into one, everything is turned into many.
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