Activities or tactics that draw attention away from something more important, or a change of direction or route.
From Latin 'divertere' meaning 'to turn aside,' combining 'di-' (apart) and 'vertere' (to turn). The meaning evolved from physical turning to mental distraction and strategic tactics.
During warfare, military commanders would create diversions—fake attacks in one location—to make enemies focus there while the real army attacked elsewhere. This word captures humanity's clever use of misdirection.
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