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Webster 1913 Edition


Divert

Di-vert′

,
Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Diverted
;
p. pr. & vb. n.
Diverting
.]
[F.
divertir
, fr. L.
divertere
,
diversum
, to go different ways, turn aside;
di- = dis-
+
vertere
to turn. See
Verse
, and cf.
Divorce
.]
1.
To turn aside; to turn off from any course or intended application; to deflect;
as, to
divert
a river from its channel; to
divert
commerce from its usual course.
That crude apple that
diverted
Eve.
Milton.
2.
To turn away from any occupation, business, or study; to cause to have lively and agreeable sensations; to amuse; to entertain;
as, children are
diverted
with sports; men are
diverted
with works of wit and humor.
Syn. – To please; gratify; amuse; entertain; exhilarate; delight; recreate. See
Amuse
.

Di-vert′

,
Verb.
I.
To turn aside; to digress.
[Obs.]
I
diverted
to see one of the prince’s palaces.
Evelyn.

Webster 1828 Edition


Divert

DIVERT

,
Verb.
T.
[L., to turn.]
1.
To turn off from any course, direction or intended application; to turn aside; as, to divert a river from its usual channel; to divert commerce from its usual course; to divert appropriated money to other objects; to divert a man from his purpose.
2.
To turn the mind from business or study; hence, to please; to amuse; to entertain; to exhilarate. Children are diverted with sports; men are diverted with works of wit and humor; low minds are diverted with buffoonery in stage-playing.
3.
To draw the forces of an enemy to a different point.
4.
To subvert. [Not in use.]

Definition 2024


divert

divert

English

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.
    • Milton
      that crude apple that diverted Eve
  2. (transitive) To distract.
    Don't let him divert your attention; keep your eye on the ball.
  3. (transitive) To entertain or amuse (by diverting the attention)
    • C. J. Smith
      We are amused by a tale, diverted by a comedy.
  4. (obsolete, intransitive) To turn aside; to digress.
    I diverted to see one of the prince's palaces. Evelyn.

Synonyms

  • (to lead away from a course): offlead

Related terms

Translations

External links

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