əˈvərt, -və̄t, -vəit also aˈv-; usu -d.+V verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English averten, from Middle French avertir, from Latin avertere, from a, ab from, away + vertere to turn — more at of , worth
transitive verb
1. : to turn away or aside (one's face, eyes, thoughts) especially in order to escape something dangerous, unpleasant, or disconcerting
some mortar and dust came dropping down, which he averted his face to avoid — Charles Dickens
he … averts his attention from an uncomfortable topic as soon as possible — Walter Moberly
2. archaic : to cause to turn, change, or deviate : estrange , alienate
so many discordant and contrary opinions … avert them from the church — Francis Bacon
3. : to anticipate and ward off : prevent the occurrence or unfortunate, dangerous, and dire effects of
war was averted by a timely peace mission
many highway accidents can be averted by courtesy
intransitive verb
archaic : to turn away — usually used with from
Synonyms: see prevent , turn