divert

Etymology

From Middle English diverten, Old French divertir (“to turn or go different ways, part, separate, divert”), from Latin di- (“apart”) + vertere (“to turn”); see verse.

verb

1. (transitive) To turn aside from a course.
   The workers diverted the stream away from the road.
   Many of the remaining trains have been retimed and where possible freight trains have also been diverted to alternative routes. 1960 February, R. C. Riley, “The London-Birmingham services - Past, Present and Future”, in Trains Illustrated, page 99
2. (transitive) To distract.
   Don't let him divert your attention; keep your eye on the ball.
3. (transitive) To entertain or amuse (by diverting the attention)
   We are amused by a tale, diverted by a comedy. 1871, Charles John Smith, Synonyms Discriminated
4. (obsolete, intransitive) To turn aside; to digress.
   I diverted to see one of the prince's palaces.