Main Entry: di·vert

Pronunciation: \də-ˈvərt, dī-\

Function: verb

Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French & Latin; Middle French divertir, from Latin divertere to turn in opposite directions, from dis- + vertere to turn — more at worth

Date: 15th century

intransitive verb : to turn aside : deviate <studied law but diverted to diplomacy>transitive verb 1 a : to turn from one course or use to another : deflect <divert traffic to a side street> b : distract <trying to divert her attention>
2 : to give pleasure to especially by distracting the attention from what burdens or distresses

synonyms see amuse