verb , noun
■ verb / pəˈvɜːt; NAmE pərˈvɜːrt/ [ vn ]
1.
to change a system, process, etc. in a bad way so that it is not what it used to be or what it should be :
Some scientific discoveries have been perverted to create weapons of destruction.
2.
to affect sb in a way that makes them act or think in an immoral or unacceptable way
SYN corrupt :
Some people believe that television can pervert the minds of children.
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IDIOMS
- pervert the course of justice
■ noun
/ ˈpɜːvɜːt; NAmE ˈpɜːrvɜːrt/ (also informal perv ) a person whose sexual behaviour is not thought to be normal or acceptable by most people
SYN deviant :
a sexual pervert
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English (as a verb): from Old French pervertir , from Latin pervertere , from per- thoroughly, to ill effect + vertere to turn. The current noun sense dates from the late 19th cent.