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Added 9 October 2026

deviate

/ˈdiː.vi.eɪt/ verb

In Latin: descisco Wiktionary

verb Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about deviate at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

To go off course from; to change course; to change plans.
To fall outside of, or part from, some norm; to stray.
His exhibition of nude paintings deviated from the norm.
To cause to diverge.

noun

A person with deviant behaviour; a deviant, degenerate or pervert.
A value equal to the difference between a measured variable factor and a fixed or algorithmic reference value.

Origin

From Late Latin dēviātus, perfect passive participle of dēviō, see -ate (verb-forming suffix) for more. Compare French dévier.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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