A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1951 (DOST Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1533-1595, 1667-1678
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Divert, v. Also: devert. [ME. diverte (c 1430), OF. divertir, L. dīvertere.]
1. intr. To turn aside; to direct one's course.1533 Boece iv. xviii. 158.
Galdus … knawing, to quhat partis thai diuertit, … followit bot langer tary 1533 Ib. xiii. i. 493 b.
He laid the cuntre waist quhare euer he diuertit
b. tr. To change (one's mind).1586 Rec. Privy C. IV. 73.
The said Johnne Dunlop ... devertit his mynd, ... and maryit ane uthir woman
2. To part company from husband or wife.1573 Acts Jas. VI (1597) 26.
Quhate-sumever person, … husband or wife, divertis fra vthers companie [etc.] 1595 Misc. Maitl. C. I. 71.
Christiane Grahame … being accusit for diverting fra schir Williame Levingstoun … hir husband 1678 Mackenzie Laws & C. i. xvii. § 9.
A man whose wife diverts from him, ought to summond her to adhere
b. tr. To separate (from husband or wife).1667 Ellon Presb. 183.
Mr James Fraser was diverted be reason of his wyfe's continued sickness
