divert

Divert is defined as to turn aside or distract from one direction to another.

(verb)

An example of divert is for a parent to bring a child to the park to take her attention away from construction at the house.

See divert in Webster's New World College Dictionary

transitive verb

to turn (a person or thing) aside from a course, direction, etc. into another; deflect
to distract the attention of
to amuse; entertain

Origin: ME diverten < OFr divertir < L divertere: see diverse

See divert in American Heritage Dictionary 4

verb di·vert·ed, di·vert·ing, di·verts

verb, transitive

To turn aside from a course or direction: Traffic was diverted around the scene of the accident.
To distract: My attention was diverted by an argument between motorists.
To entertain by distracting the attention from worrisome thoughts or cares; amuse. See Synonyms at amuse.

verb, intransitive

To turn aside.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English diverten

Origin: , from Old French divertir

Origin: , from Latin dīvertere

Origin: : dī-, dis-, aside; see dis-

Origin: + vertere, to turn; see wer-² in Indo-European roots

Related Forms: