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DIVERSION
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
I. (noun)
Sense 1
Meaning:
A turning aside (of your course or attention or concern)
Example:
a deflection from his goal
Synonyms:
deflection; deflexion; deviation; digression; divagation; diversion
Classified under:
Nouns denoting acts or actions
Hypernyms ("diversion" is a kind of...):
turn; turning (the act of changing or reversing the direction of the course)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "diversion"):
red herring (any diversion intended to distract attention from the main issue)
Derivation:
diversionary ((of tactics e.g.) likely or designed to confuse or deceive)
diversionist (someone who commits sabotage or deliberately causes wrecks)
divert (turn aside; turn away from)
Sense 2
Meaning:
An activity that diverts or amuses or stimulates
Example:
drug abuse is often regarded as a form of recreation
Synonyms:
diversion; recreation
Classified under:
Nouns denoting acts or actions
Hypernyms ("diversion" is a kind of...):
activity (any specific behavior)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "diversion"):
athletics; sport (an active diversion requiring physical exertion and competition)
caper; frolic; gambol; play; romp (gay or light-hearted recreational activity for diversion or amusement)
child's play; play (activity by children that is guided more by imagination than by fixed rules)
interest; pastime; pursuit (a diversion that occupies one's time and thoughts (usually pleasantly))
night life; nightlife (the activity of people seeking nighttime diversion (as at the theater, a nightclub, etc.))
jest; jocularity; joke (activity characterized by good humor)
game (an amusement or pastime)
gambling; gaming; play (the act of playing for stakes in the hope of winning (including the payment of a price for a chance to win a prize))
fun; merriment; playfulness (activities that are enjoyable or amusing)
eurhythmics; eurhythmy; eurythmics; eurythmy (the interpretation in harmonious bodily movements of the rhythm of musical compositions; used to teach musical understanding)
escape; escapism (an inclination to retreat from unpleasant realities through diversion or fantasy)
escapade; lark (any carefree episode)
amusement; entertainment (an activity that is diverting and that holds the attention)
dance; dancing; saltation; terpsichore (taking a series of rhythmical steps (and movements) in time to music)
celebration; festivity (any joyous diversion)
bathing (immersing the body in water or sunshine)
antic; caper; joke; prank; put-on; trick (a ludicrous or grotesque act done for fun and amusement)
Derivation:
divert (occupy in an agreeable, entertaining or pleasant fashion)
Sense 3
Meaning:
An attack calculated to draw enemy defense away from the point of the principal attack
Synonyms:
diversion; diversionary attack
Classified under:
Nouns denoting acts or actions
Hypernyms ("diversion" is a kind of...):
attack; onrush; onset; onslaught ((military) an offensive against an enemy (using weapons))
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "diversion"):
diversionary landing (an amphibious diversionary attack)
Context examples:
This diversion is only practised by those persons who are candidates for great employments, and high favour at court.
(Gulliver's Travels into several remote nations of the world, by Jonathan Swift)
It was at this time that a diversion came to the spectators.
(White Fang, by Jack London)
April and the first half of May will be very social, and although your career will bring strong, powerful emphasis on opportunity all through 2020, your social life will offer a sweet diversion for six weeks beginning in April.
(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)
Mr. Collins and Charlotte were both standing at the gate in conversation with the ladies; and Sir William, to Elizabeth's high diversion, was stationed in the doorway, in earnest contemplation of the greatness before him, and constantly bowing whenever Miss de Bourgh looked that way.
(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)
The blowing of the coach-horn in the yard was a seasonable diversion, which made me get up and hesitatingly inquire, in the mingled pride and diffidence of having a purse (which I took out of my pocket), if there were anything to pay.
(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)
This was a matter of diversion to my master and his family, as well as of mortification to myself.
(Gulliver's Travels into several remote nations of the world, by Jonathan Swift)
If I, said Mr. Collins, were so fortunate as to be able to sing, I should have great pleasure, I am sure, in obliging the company with an air; for I consider music as a very innocent diversion, and perfectly compatible with the profession of a clergyman.
(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)
There is likewise another diversion, which is only shown before the emperor and empress, and first minister, upon particular occasions.
(Gulliver's Travels into several remote nations of the world, by Jonathan Swift)
Here I often used to row for my own diversion, as well as that of the queen and her ladies, who thought themselves well entertained with my skill and agility.
(Gulliver's Travels into several remote nations of the world, by Jonathan Swift)
While he was thus reasoning and resolving with himself, a sardral, or gentleman-usher, came from court, commanding my master to carry me immediately thither for the diversion of the queen and her ladies.
(Gulliver's Travels into several remote nations of the world, by Jonathan Swift)
