avert

[ uh-vurt ]
/ əˈvɜrt /

verb (used with object)

to turn away or aside: to avert one's eyes.
to ward off; prevent: to avert evil; to avert an accident.

Origin of avert

1400–50; late Middle English < Middle French avertir ≪ Latin āvertere, equivalent to ā- a-4 + vertere to turn

OTHER WORDS FROM avert

a·vert·ed·ly, adverb a·vert·er, noun a·vert·i·ble, a·vert·a·ble, adjective un·a·vert·ed, adjective

Example sentences from the Web for avert

British Dictionary definitions for avert

avert
/ (əˈvɜːt) /

verb (tr)

to turn away or aside to avert one's gaze
to ward off; prevent from occurring to avert danger

Derived forms of avert

avertible or avertable, adjective

Word Origin for avert

C15: from Old French avertir, from Latin āvertere; see averse