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EnglishMerriam-Webster Dictionaryxlookup/tightwad'>tightwad
EnglishMerriam-Webster Dictionarydivert
diverted; diverting; diverts
Definition
- intransitive verb
- : to turn aside : deviate //studied law but diverted to diplomacy
- transitive verb
- : to turn from one course or use to another : deflect //divert traffic to a side street //diverted funds from the company: distract //trying to divert her attention
- : to give pleasure to especially by distracting the attention from what burdens or distresses //children diverting themselves with their toys
Examples
- //Police diverted traffic to a side street.
- //The stream was diverted toward the farmland.
- //They were charged with illegally diverting public funds for private use.
- //He lied to divert attention from the real situation.
- //They're only proposing the law to divert attention from important issues.
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense History and Etymology
Middle English diverten "to turn in a certain direction, turn away, direct one's mind," borrowed from Middle French & Medieval Latin; Middle French divertir, borrowed (with conjugation change) from Medieval Latin dīvertere "to turn aside, deflect, alienate (property), depart," continuing both Latin dīvertere "to separate oneself (from), be different, diverge" (from dī-, variant before voiced sounds of dis- dis- + vertere "to cause to revolve, turn, spin") and dēvertere "to turn away, divert, make a turn aside/detour," from dē- de- + vertere — more at worth entry 4divert
verb
Synonyms & Antonyms
divert
diverted; diverting; diverts
Definition
- intransitive verb
- : to turn aside : deviate //studied law but diverted to diplomacy
- transitive verb
- : to turn from one course or use to another : deflect //divert traffic to a side street //diverted funds from the company: distract //trying to divert her attention
- : to give pleasure to especially by distracting the attention from what burdens or distresses //children diverting themselves with their toys
Examples
- //Police diverted traffic to a side street.
- //The stream was diverted toward the farmland.
- //They were charged with illegally diverting public funds for private use.
- //He lied to divert attention from the real situation.
- //They're only proposing the law to divert attention from important issues.
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense History and Etymology
Middle English diverten "to turn in a certain direction, turn away, direct one's mind," borrowed from Middle French & Medieval Latin; Middle French divertir, borrowed (with conjugation change) from Medieval Latin dīvertere "to turn aside, deflect, alienate (property), depart," continuing both Latin dīvertere "to separate oneself (from), be different, diverge" (from dī-, variant before voiced sounds of dis- dis- + vertere "to cause to revolve, turn, spin") and dēvertere "to turn away, divert, make a turn aside/detour," from dē- de- + vertere — more at worth entry 4