What does "deviate" mean?

Deviate: 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.

Additional senses

  1. 2.To cause to deviate. [R.] To deviate a needle. J. D. Forbes.

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