DIVERT

divert

(verb) send on a course or in a direction different from the planned or intended one

deviate, divert

(verb) turn aside; turn away from

divert, hive off

(verb) withdraw (money) and move into a different location, often secretly and with dishonest intentions

amuse, divert, disport

(verb) occupy in an agreeable, entertaining or pleasant fashion; “The play amused the ladies”

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Verb

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

(transitive) To turn aside from a course.

(transitive) To distract.

(transitive) To entertain or amuse (by diverting the attention)

(obsolete, intransitive) To turn aside; to digress.

Synonyms

• (to lead away from a course): offlead

Anagrams

• verdit

Source: Wiktionary

Di*vert", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Diverted; p. pr. & vb. n. Diverting.] Etym: [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. We are amused by a tale, diverted by a comedy. C. J. Smith.

Syn.

– To please; gratify; amuse; entertain; exhilarate; delight; recreate. See Amuse.

Di*vert", v. i.

Definition: To turn aside; to digress. [Obs.] I diverted to see one of the prince's palaces. Evelyn.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition