An archaic or obsolete verb meaning to turn away, avert, or redirect something from its course.
From Old French 'deternen' and Latin 'detornare' (from 'de-' meaning 'away' + 'tornare' meaning 'to turn'). This word fell out of common usage by the 18th century as simpler alternatives like 'avert' and 'turn away' became preferred.
Medieval texts are full of phrases like 'deturn thy face from evil,' showing how this word was once as common as 'turn away' is today—language simply picked shorter synonyms and left old words behind like forgotten roads.
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