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divert. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
divert, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
divert in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
divert you have here. The definition of the word
divert will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
divert, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
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
Verb
divert (third-person singular simple present diverts, present participle diverting, simple past and past participle diverted)
- (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.
- (transitive) To distract.
Don't let him divert your attention; keep your eye on the ball.
- (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.
- (obsolete, intransitive) To turn aside; to digress.
1641 September 7 (Gregorian calendar), John Evelyn, “”, in William Bray, editor, Memoirs, Illustrative of the Life and Writings of John Evelyn, , 2nd edition, volume I, London: Henry Colburn, ; and sold by John and Arthur Arch, , published 1819, →OCLC:I diverted to see one of the prince's palaces.
Synonyms
- (to lead away from a course): offlead
Related terms
Translations
Further reading
- “divert”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913, →OCLC.
- “divert”, in The Century Dictionary , New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911, →OCLC.
Anagrams