diversion

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a turning aside (of your course or attention or concern)

   a diversion from the main highway

2. 2
   noun

   an activity that diverts or amuses or stimulates

   scuba diving is provided as a diversion for tourists

3. 3
   noun

   A hobby; an activity that distracts the mind.

   Of those therefore that have attained to the highest degree of honour and riches, some have affected mastery in some art; as Nero in music and poetry, Commodus in the art of a gladiator. And such as affect not some such thing, must find diversion and recreation of their thoughts in the contention either of play, or business.

4. 4
   noun

   The act of diverting.

   Further, in response to the trust defense raised at trial, the court did properly instruct the jury on partial diversion when it charged that the funds diverted to Moon's personal use became taxable "to the extent so diverted." Obviously, the word "divert" is in common enough use and understandable by ordinary jurors, so as to require no explanatory charge.

5. 5
   noun

   A detour, such as during road construction.

   An interesting feature in the weeks preceding the diversions was the provision of a road-learning train to familiarise main line drivers with the alternative route.

6. 6
   noun

   an attack calculated to draw enemy defense away from the point of the principal attack

7. 7
   noun

   A tactic used to draw attention away from the real threat or action.

8. 8
   noun

   Removal of water via a canal.

Etymology

From Middle English diversion, dyversioun, from Medieval Latin diversiō, from Latin divertō (“to divert”); see divert.