/ daɪˈvɜːt; NAmE -ˈvɜːrt/ verb [ vn ] divert sb/sth (from sth) (to sth)
1.
to make sb/sth change direction :
Northbound traffic will have to be diverted onto minor roads.
2.
to use money, materials, etc. for a different purpose from their original purpose
3.
to take sb's thoughts or attention away from sth
SYN distract :
The war diverted people's attention away from the economic situation.
4.
( formal ) to entertain people :
Children are easily diverted.
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : via French from Latin divertere , from di- aside + vertere to turn.