To ward off (something about to happen); 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 Indo-European roots.] a·vert'i·ble, a·vert'a·ble adj.