Main Entry: ¹per·vert

Pronunciation: \pər-ˈvərt\

Function: transitive verb

Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French purvertir, pervertir, from Latin pervertere to overturn, corrupt, pervert, from per- thoroughly + vertere to turn — more at per-, worth

Date: 14th century

1 a : to cause to turn aside or away from what is good or true or morally right : corrupt b : to cause to turn aside or away from what is generally done or accepted : misdirect
2 a : to divert to a wrong end or purpose : misuse b : to twist the meaning or sense of : misinterpret

synonyms see debase

— per·vert·er noun