Divert, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Diverted; p. pr. & vb. n. Diverting.]
Etymology: [F. divertir, fr. L. divertere, diversum, to go different ways, turn aside; di- = dis- + vertere to turn. See Verse, and cf. Divorce.]
1. To turn aside; to turn off from any course or intended application; to deflect; as, to divert a river from its channel; to divert commerce from its usual course. That crude apple that diverted Eve. Milton.
2. To turn away from any occupation, business, or study; to cause to have lively and agreeable sensations; to amuse; to entertain; as, children are diverted with sports; men are diverted with works of wit and humor. We are amused by a tale, diverted by a comedy. C. J. Smith.
Syn. -- To please; gratify; amuse; entertain; exhilarate; delight; recreate. See Amuse.
1 other Webster entry under this spelling
Divert, v. i.
To turn aside; to digress. [Obs.] I diverted to see one of the prince's palaces. Evelyn.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for divert; he lists it under abstract, entertain.
Where he writes about it:
To divert is to turn from serious thoughts or laborious pursuits to something that lightly and agreeably occupies the mind; one may be entertained or amused who has nothing serious or laborious from which to be diverted. — from entertain
We beguile a weary hour, cheer the despondent, divert the preoccupied, enliven a dull evening or company, gratify our friends' wishes, entertain, interest, please a listening audience, occupy idle time, disport ourselves when merry, recreate when worn with toil; we amuse ourselves or others with whatever pleasantly passes the time without special exertion, each according to his taste. — from entertain