Divert
/dɪˈvɜːrt/noun
To cause someone or something to change course or turn from one direction to another.
Did you know?The roots of 'divert' trace back to ancient concepts of turning away not just physically, but also in terms of one's destiny and purpose.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*deiwos
“divine or godly, suggesting a turning towards the divine.”
Latin
Latin
divertere
“to turn aside or away, originating from 'di-' meaning apart and 'vertere' meaning to turn.”
Old French
Old French
diverter
“to turn aside or distract, retaining the sense of changing direction.”
14th Century
Middle English
diverten
“to turn away or distract attention, indicating an early use in both physical and mental contexts.”
Modern English
English
divert
“to lead or draw off to a different course, solidifying the link between distraction and change.”