verb (used without object)
- to remark or comment; refer (usually followed by to): He adverted briefly to the news of the day.
- to turn the attention (usually followed by to): The committee adverted to the business at hand.
noun
- British informal short for advertisement
verb
- (intr foll by to) to draw attention (to); refer (to)
mid-15c., averten “to turn (something) aside,” from Middle French avertir (12c.), from Late Latin advertere (see advertise). The -d- added 16c. on the Latin model. Related: Adverted; adverting.
colloquial shortening of advertisement, attested by 1860.