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tr.v. a·vert·ed, a·vert·ing, a·verts 1. To turn away: avert one's eyes. 2. To keep from happening; prevent: averted an accident by turning sharply. See Synonyms at prevent. [Middle English averten, from Old French avertir, from Latin āvertere : ā-, ab-, away from; see AB-1 + vertere, to turn; see wer-2 in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] a·verti·ble, a·verta·ble adj. |
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