divert

Where does the word "divert" come from? It comes from Latin divertere, and was adopted directly into English (1400s).

Divert’s story begins in Latin: divertere meant “to turn in different directions.” To turn in different directions, from dis- (apart) and vertere (to turn). It reached English by 1400s as divert. Settled as the English word for turning something aside from its course. Today, divert means to turn something aside from its course, or to distract and amuse.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient divertere "to turn in different directions", to turn in different directions, from dis- (apart) and vertere (to turn).
2. Stage 2 · English · 1400s divert "to turn something aside from its course", settled as the English word for turning something aside from its course.