Detour
/ˈdiː.tɔː(ɹ)/ noun, verb
noun, verb ·Common ·High school level
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A diversion or deviation from one's original route.
"On the third day I made a detour westward to avoid the country of the Band-lu, as I did not care to be detained by a meeting with To-jo."
- 2 a roundabout road (especially one that is used temporarily while a main route is blocked) wordnet
- 3 An temporary alternative route available to motorists away from the usual route due to a closure for repairs, dealing with an accident, or some event rendering the usual route unusable.
Verb
- 1 To make a detour. intransitive
"Petrelis detoured away from southern activities to visit Chicago and help draw attention to lesbian, gay and AIDS issues during the Illinois primary March 16."
- 2 travel via a detour wordnet
- 3 To direct or send on a detour. transitive
Example
More examples"If a high hill stood between A and B, it was important to decide whether the line should climb over it, pierce it with a tunnel, or make a detour to avoid it."
Etymology
Borrowed from French détour, from détourner (“turn away”).