detour Hear it!

detour definition

de·tour (dē′to̵or′; also dē to̵or′, di-)

noun

  1. a roundabout way; deviation from a direct way
  2. a route used when the direct or regular route is closed to traffic

Etymology: Fr détour, a turning, evasion < détourner, to turn aside < OFr destourner < des- (L dis-), away + tourner: see turn

intransitive verb

to go by way of a detour

transitive verb

  1. ☆ to cause to go by way of a detour
  2. to go around or avoid by using a detour; bypass

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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