deviate

Definition

To go off course from; to change course; to change plans.

Etymology

From Late Latin dēviātus, perfect passive participle of dēviō, see -ate (verb-forming suffix) for more. Compare French dévier.

Example Sentences

• "These two circumstances, however, happening both unfortunately to intervene, our travellers deviated into a much less frequented track; and after riding full six miles, instead of arriving at the stately spires of Coventry, they found themselves still in a very dirty lane, where they saw no symptoms of approaching the suburbs of a large city."
• "Thus Pegasus, a nearer way to take, / May boldly deviate from the common track."
• "His exhibition of nude paintings deviated from the norm."

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