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 has no entry of its own for perverting; he lists it under pernicious.
He lists it without comment; the entries above explain its neighbors.