From WordNet (r) 2.0 (August 2003) [wn]:
avert
v 1: prevent the occurrence of; prevent from happening; "Let's
avoid a confrontation"; "head off a confrontation";
"avert a strike" [syn: debar, obviate, deflect,
head off, stave off, fend off, avoid, {ward
off}]
2: turn away or aside; "They averted their eyes when the King
entered" [syn: turn away]
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Avert \A*vert"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Averted; p. pr. & vb. n.
Averting.] [L. avertere; a, ab + vertere to turn: cf. OF.
avertir. See Verse, n.]
To turn aside, or away; as, to avert the eyes from an object;
to ward off, or prevent, the occurrence or effects of; as,
how can the danger be averted? "To avert his ire." --Milton.
[1913 Webster]
When atheists and profane persons do hear of so many
discordant and contrary opinions in religion, it doth
avert them from the church. --Bacon.
[1913 Webster]
Till ardent prayer averts the public woe. --Prior.
[1913 Webster]
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Avert \A*vert"\, v. i.
To turn away. [Archaic]
[1913 Webster]
Cold and averting from our neighbor's good. --Thomson.
[1913 Webster]