divertere

Divertere is an Italian verb meaning to divert, turn away, or reroute. It can refer to changing the course of tangible things, such as diverting a river, diverting traffic, or redirecting a supply line, as well as to non-physical matters, such as diverting attention, resources, or plans. In everyday usage it appears most often in formal, technical, or literary contexts where a precise sense of changing direction is required. It is commonly contrasted with deviare (to deviate, often used for a path or line) and distogliere (to distract or withdraw).

Etymology: The verb derives from Latin divertere, literally “to turn away” (di- “away” + vertere “to turn”). Its sense of changing direction or focus is carried into Italian with similar nuance.

Constructions and examples: With a direct object representing the thing being diverted: “divertere l’attenzione” (to divert attention), “divertere il traffico” (to divert traffic), “divertere risorse” (to divert resources). The construction can take an infinitive to indicate the resulting action or purpose: “divertere i fondi per un uso diverso.” In everyday speech, speakers may prefer deviare or distogliere, but divertere remains common in legal, administrative, or technical registers.

See also: deviare, distogliere, deviazione. In Latin, the cognate divertere appears in historical texts and scholarly language, illustrating the same core sense of turning away or changing direction.