D defs.my
Menu ☰
Entry 4 senses · 4 variants Webster, 1913

Deviate

/dē'vēāt/ · De·vi·ate · IPA /ˈdi.vi.eɪt/
01 v. i. To go out of the way; to turn aside from a course or a method; to stray or go astray; to err; to digress; to diverge; to vary.
imp. & p. p. Deviated; p. pr. & vb. n. Deviating
  1. 1.
    To go out of the way; to turn aside from a course or a method; to stray or go astray; to err; to digress; to diverge; to vary.
    “Thus Pegasus, a nearer way to take, May boldly deviate from the common track.” — Pope.
Syn. To swerve; stray; wander; digress; depart; deflect; err.
02 v. t. To cause to deviate.
  1. 1.
    To cause to deviate.[R.]
    “To deviate a needle.” — J. D. Forbes.
03 a. having behavior differing from that which is normal or expected, especially in an undesirable or socially disapproved manner; as, deviate b…
  1. 1.
    having behavior differing from that which is normal or expected, especially in an undesirable or socially disapproved manner; as, deviate behavior.
Syn. deviant.
04 n. a person having behavior differing from that which is normal or socially acceptable; -- used especially to characterize persons whose sexua…
  1. 1.
    a person having behavior differing from that which is normal or socially acceptable; -- used especially to characterize persons whose sexual behavior is considered morally unacceptable.
Syn. deviant.