[per.vert] vt [ME, fr. MF pervertir, fr. L pervertere to overturn, corrupt, pervert, fr. per- thoroughly + vertere to turn--more at per-, worth] (14c) 1 a: to cause to turn aside or away from what is good or true or morally right: corrupt b: to cause to turn aside or away from what is generally done or accepted: misdirect
2. a: to divert to a wrong end or purpose: misuse b: to twist the meaning or sense of: misinterpret syn see debase -- per.vert.er n
[2]per.vert n (ca. 1661): one that has been perverted; specif: one given to some form of sexual perversion