deviate[dē′vē āt′; for adj. & n., -it]
- To deviate is to depart from a planned or accepted course, from expectations or from accepted behavior.
- When you have a map all drawn out and you go another way, this is an example of a situation where you deviate from the planned route.
- When you behave improperly and defy conventional standards, this is an example of a situation where your behavior deviates from the norm.
intransitive verbdeviated, deviating
Origin of deviate; from Late Latin deviatus, past participle of deviare, to turn aside ; from de-, from + via, road: see via
verbde·vi·at·ed, de·vi·at·ing, de·vi·ates
- To turn aside from a course or way: hikers who deviated from the main path.
- To depart, as from a norm, purpose, or subject; differ or stray. See Synonyms at swerve.
Origin of deviateLate Latin dēviāre, dēviāt- : Latin dē-, de- + Latin via, road; see wegh- in Indo-European roots.
(third-person singular simple present deviates, present participle deviating, simple past and past participle deviated)
Late Latin deviatus, past participle of deviare, from the phrase de via.