diversion








noun

  1. the act of diverting or turning aside, as from a course or purpose: a diversion of industry into the war effort.
  2. a channel made to divert the flow of water from one course to another or to direct the flow of water draining from a piece of ground.
  3. British. a detour on a highway or road.
  4. distraction from business, care, etc.; recreation; amusement; a pastime: Movies are his favorite diversion.
  5. Military. a feint intended to draw off attention from the point of main attack.

noun

  1. the act of diverting from a specified course
  2. mainly British an official detour used by traffic when a main route is closed
  3. something that distracts from business, etc; amusement
  4. military a feint attack designed to draw an enemy away from the main attack
n.

early 15c., “diverse condition;” c.1600 “act of diverting,” from Middle French diversion, from Late Latin diversionem (nominative diversio), noun of action from past participle stem of Latin divertere (see divert).

Sense of “amusement, entertainment” is first recorded 1640s. Hence, divertimento (1823), from the Italian form; originally “a musical composition designed primarily for entertainment.”

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