v. & n.
--v.tr.
1. turn (a person or thing) aside from its proper use or nature.
2 misapply or misconstrue (words etc.).
3 lead astray (a person, a person's mind, etc.) from right opinion or conduct, or esp. religious belief.
4 (as perverted adj.) showing perversion.
--n.
1. a perverted person.
2 a person showing sexual perversion.
Derivatives:
perversive adj. pervertedly adv. perverter n.
Etymology: ME f. OF pervertir or f. L pervertere (as PER-, vertere vers- turn): cf. CONVERT