DIVERT • DICTIONARY ONE.COM • Definition of Divert

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/daɪvˈərt/ /dɪvˈərt/ Listen

verb

Divert v. t. (past & past part. diverted; pres. part. diverting)

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."

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."

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

Divert v. i. To turn aside; to digress. (Obs.) "I diverted to see one of the prince's palaces."

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Etymology of 'Divert'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Divert" Quotes from Famous Books

... said he, "and go by yon forest side to divert you; there you will see the flowers and green things, and hear the birds sing. Peradventure you shall hear a word for which you shall ...

— Aucassin and Nicolette - translated from the Old French • Anonymous

... us talk any more about me,'" he said to himself that night when alone in his cabin. "I wonder how long it would be before the other one did anything to divert the talk from herself. Some time, I fancy." He smiled rather grimly as he unbuckled his sword-belt. It is unlucky for a girl when she starts a train of reflection like this. Lilly's little attempt to pique her admirer had ...

— What Katy Did Next • Susan Coolidge

... up, and no new ones suffered to begin; prisoners were freed from their chains, and universal good-will prevailed. These eight days were in fact kept as holidays, and doubtless by the novelty of the whole scene the astute authorities hoped to inspire fresh hope and confidence, and to divert attention from the prevailing misery, just as our soldiers in India are induced to forget the presence of cholera in a station by constant games and amusements. That this was really one leading object of the whole show is not generally recognised by historians; but it seems fully explained ...

— The Religious Experience of the Roman People - From the Earliest Times to the Age of Augustus • W. Warde Fowler

... toward the blue sky and cursed aloud the fates that had set this new tangle at his feet. He longed for the jungles and some mad beast to vent his wrath upon. But he gave no sign. He had returned with a purpose as hard and grim as iron; and no obstacle, less powerful than death, should divert or control him. Abduction? Let the public believe what it might; he held the key to the mystery. She was afraid, and had ...

— The Place of Honeymoons • Harold MacGrath

... toward him, Mr. Farnshaw dropped from the wagon and went to fill the swill pails. The hogs knew they were to be fed and set up their usual noisy clamour. It was his purpose to divert their attention till the boys could drive the wagon into the corral, hoping also to leave his daughter where she could not approach him. Mr. Farnshaw delighted in making people wait. With a pail in either hand he advanced to the fence. The hogs left the gate and ran to ...

— The Wind Before the Dawn • Dell H. Munger

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