# divert

Pronunciation: say "dy-VURT" US /daɪˈvɝt/, UK /daɪˈvɜːt/

## Verb

1. To turn something aside from its original course or direction.
   - Simple: To change the direction of something so it goes a different way.
   - _Engineers diverted the stream into a new channel to prevent flooding._
   - _The pilot had to divert the flight to another airport because of the storm._
2. To draw a person's attention away from one thing toward another.
   - Simple: To pull someone's attention away from what they are doing.
   - _The magician diverted the audience with one hand while hiding the coin with the other._
   - _Clever advertisements divert shoppers from comparing the actual prices._
3. To entertain or amuse someone by occupying their attention pleasantly.
   - Simple: To keep someone happy and entertained for a while.
   - _The host diverted his guests with card tricks and lively conversation._
   - _Traveling performers would divert the crowds at country fairs._

## Verb

4. To turn aside from a course, or to wander away from the main subject. *(obsolete)*
   - Simple: To turn away from a path, or to wander off the main topic.
   - _He would often divert from his sermon to recount some old story._
   - _The narrative diverts for several pages before returning to the main events._

## Origin

This word came through Middle English 'diverten' and Old French 'divertir' (to turn or go different ways, to separate, to divert), from Latin 'di-' (apart) plus 'vertere' (to turn).

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/divert (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).