divert

present singular third person diverts · participle present diverting · participle past diverted · past diverted

1. transitiveTo turn aside from a course.

   The workers diverted the stream away from the road.

   2 more examples

   Many of the remaining trains have been retimed and where possible freight trains have also been diverted to alternative routes.

   1960 February, R. C. Riley, “The London-Birmingham services - Past, Present and Future”, in Trains Illustrated, page 99

   Until the main road from Hatfield to Hertford was diverted a few years ago, heavy lorries trundling through the village sometimes knocked chunks off corner buildings, but now the village has regained much of its former tranquillity.

   1980, AA Book of British Villages, Drive Publications Ltd, page 224, about Hertingfordbury

   Synonyms: deflect, offlead

2. transitiveTo distract.

   Don't let him divert your attention; keep your eye on the ball.

   1 more example

   that crude apple that diverted Eve

   [1644], [John Milton], Of Education. To Master Samuel Hartlib, [London]: […] [Thomas Underhill and/or Thomas Johnson], →OCLC

3. transitiveTo entertain or amuse (by diverting the attention)

   We are amused by a tale, diverted by a comedy.

   1871, Charles John Smith, Synonyms Discriminated

   1 more example

   But somehow, despite wooden, unfunny dialogue, rigid characterization, and the dreadful mindless meaninglessness of it all, Good News manages to divert us for its three hours.

   1973 December 29, Jonathan Cross, “The Fag In The Fifth Row”, in Gay Community News, volume 1, number 28, page 4

4. intransitiveobsoleteTo turn aside; to digress.

   I diverted to see one of the prince's palaces.

   1641 September 6 (Gregorian calendar), John Evelyn, “[Diary entry for 28 August 1641]”, in William Bray, editor, Memoirs, Illustrative of the Life and Writings of John Evelyn, […], 2nd edition, volume I, London: Henry Colburn, […]; and sold by John and Arthur Arch, […], published 1819, →OCLC