Pervert, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Perverted; p. pr. & vb. n. Perverting.] — Webster enters it under “pervert”
Etymology: [F. pervertir, L. pervertere, perversum; per + vertere to turn. See Per-, and Verse.]
1. To turnanother way; to divert. [Obs.] Let's follow him, and pervert the present wrath. Shak.
2. To turn from truth, rectitude, or propriety; to divert from a right use, end, or way; to lead astray; to corrupt; also, to misapply; to misinterpret designedly; as, to pervert one's words. Dryden. He, in the serpent, had perverted Eve. Milton.
2 other Webster entries under this spelling
Pervert, v. i.
To become perverted; to take the wrong course. [R.] Testament of Love.
Pervert, n.
One who has been perverted; one who has turned to error, especially in religion; -- opposed to convert. See the Synonym of Convert. That notorious pervert, Henry of Navarre. Thackeray.
Shades of meaning
Fernald lists perverted only as an antonym, under perfect.
He lists it without comment; the entries above explain its neighbors.