Advert, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Adverted; p. pr. & vb. n. Adverting.]
Etymology: [L. advertere, v. t., to turn to; ad + vertere to turn: cf. F. avertir. See Advertise.]
To turn the mind or attention; to refer; to take heed or notice; -- with to; as, he adverted to what was said. I may again advert to the distinction. Owen.
Syn.- To refer; allude; regard. See Refer.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for advert; he lists it under allude.
Where he writes about it:
Advert, mention, and refer are used of language that more or less distinctly utters a certain thought; the others of language from which it may be inferred. — from allude
We allude to a matter slightly, perhaps by a word or phrase, as it were in byplay; we advert to it when we turn from our path to treat it; we refer to it by any clear utterance that distinctly turns the mind or attention to it; as, marginal figures refer to a parallel passage; we mention a thing by explicit word, as by naming it. — from allude