divert definition

English

Etymology

From Middle English diverten, Old French divertir (“to turn or go different ways, part, separate, divert”), from Latin di- (“apart”) + vertere (“to turn”); see verse.

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /daɪˈvɜːt/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /daɪˈvɝt/, /dɪˈvɝt/
• Rhymes: -ɜː(ɹ)t

• Audio (US)

  (file)

Verb

divert (third-person singular simple present diverts, present participle diverting, simple past and past participle diverted)

1. (transitive) To turn aside from a course.

   The workers diverted the stream away from the road.

   • 1960 February, R. C. Riley, “The London-Birmingham services - Past, Present and Future”, in Trains Illustrated, page 99:

     Many of the remaining trains have been retimed and where possible freight trains have also been diverted to alternative routes.

2. (transitive) To distract.

   Don't let him divert your attention; keep your eye on the ball.

   • [1644], [John Milton], Of Education. To Master Samuel Hartlib, [London: […] Thomas Underhill and/or Thomas Johnson], OCLC 946735316:

     that crude apple that diverted Eve

3. (transitive) To entertain or amuse (by diverting the attention)
   • 1871, Charles John Smith, Synonyms Discriminated

     We are amused by a tale, diverted by a comedy.

4. (obsolete, intransitive) To turn aside; to digress.
   • 1641 September 7 (Gregorian calendar)​, John Evelyn, “[Diary entry for 28 August 1641]”, in William Bray, editor, Memoirs, Illustrative of the Life and Writings of John Evelyn, […], volume I, 2nd edition, London: Henry Colburn, […]; and sold by John and Arthur Arch, […], published 1819, OCLC 976971842:

     I diverted to see one of the prince's palaces.

Synonyms

• (to lead away from a course): offlead

Related terms

• diversion
• diversity
• diverse

Translations

Further reading

• divert in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.
• divert in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.

Anagrams

• verdit