avert

Etymology

From Middle English averten, adverten, from Old French avertir (“turn, direct, avert; turn the attention, make aware”), from Latin āvertere, present active infinitive of āvertō, from ab + vertō (“to turn”).

verb

  1. (transitive) To turn aside or away.
    I averted my eyes while my friend typed in her password.
  2. (transitive) To ward off, or prevent, the occurrence or effects of.
    How can the danger be averted?
    Till ardent prayer averts the public woe. 1700, Matthew Prior, Carmen Seculare. for the Year 1700
  3. (intransitive, archaic) To turn away.
    Cold and averting from our neighbour's good.

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