1400-50;late Middle English < Middle Frenchavertir ≪ Latināvertere, equivalent to ā-a-4 + vertere to turn
Related forms
avertedly, adverb
averter, noun
avertible, avertable, adjective
unaverted, adjective
Examples from the web for avert
If you don't, avert your eyes and avoid the spoilers.
Truman ordered the Army to seize control of the nation's railroads to avert a strike.
Gradual steps should be taken to avert an abrupt crisis.
To avert the tragedy of a repeat performance, both sides need to keep their hardliners in check.
The surcharge revenue could be used to reduce many of the proposed cuts, or to avert the worst of them.
Those are key areas in which good practices might help avert other violent acts.
He bore his part bravely in the contest, but could not avert his destiny.
Still, it wasn't enough to avert tragedy.
After borrowing billions, colleges rush to avert financial fallout.
Altogether, this forested landscape will help the world avert damaging climate change.
British Dictionary definitions for avert
avert
/əˈvɜːt/
verb (transitive)
1.
to turn away or aside: to avert one's gaze
2.
to ward off; prevent from occurring: to avert danger
Derived Forms
avertible, avertable, adjective
Word Origin
C15: from Old French avertir, from Latin āvertere; see averse
Word Origin and History for avert
v.
c.1400, from Old French avertir (12c.), "turn, direct; avert; make aware," from Vulgar Latin *advertire, from Latin avertere "to turn away, to drive away," from ab- "from, away" (see ab-) + vertere "to turn" (see versus). Related: Averted; averting.