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divert

/daɪˈvɜːt/ verb

In Latin: diverto Wiktionary

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

  1. To turn aside from a course.
    The workers diverted the stream away from the road.
  2. To distract.
    Don't let him divert your attention; keep your eye on the ball.
  3. To entertain or amuse (by diverting the attention)

Origin

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.

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