Main Entry: avert

Pronunciation: \ə-ˈvərt\

Function: transitive verb

Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French avertir, from Latin avertere, from ab- + vertere to turn — more at worth

Date: 15th century

1 : to turn away or aside (as the eyes) in avoidance
2 : to see coming and ward off : avoid <avert disaster>