avert

 
Pronunciation: /əˈvəːt/

verb

[with object]
  • 1turn away (one’s eyes or thoughts): she averted her eyes while we made stilted conversation
  • 2prevent or ward off (an undesirable occurrence): talks failed to avert a rail strike

Derivatives

avertable

adjective

Origin:

late Middle English (in the sense 'divert or deter someone from a place or a course of action'): from Latin avertere, from ab- 'from' + vertere 'to turn'; reinforced by Old French avertir