swerve

One entry found for swerve.

Main Entry: swerve
Pronunciation: 'sw&rv
Function: verb
Inflected Form(s): swerved; swerv·ing
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English sweorfan to wipe, file away; akin to Old High German swerban to wipe off, Welsh chwerfu to whirl
intransitive verb : to turn aside abruptly from a straight line or course : DEVIATE
transitive verb : to cause to turn aside or deviate
- swerve noun
synonyms SWERVE, VEER, DEVIATE, DEPART, DIGRESS, DIVERGE mean to turn aside from a straight course. SWERVE may suggest a physical, mental, or moral turning away from a given course, often with abruptness <swerved to avoid hitting the dog>. VEER implies a major change in direction <at that point the path veers to the right>. DEVIATE implies a turning from a customary or prescribed course <never deviated from her daily routine>. DEPART suggests a deviation from a traditional or conventional course or type <occasionally departs from his own guidelines>. DIGRESS applies to a departing from the subject of one's discourse <a professor prone to digress>. DIVERGE may equal DEPART but usually suggests a branching of a main path into two or more leading in different directions <after school their paths diverged>.