De"vi*ate (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Deviated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Deviating (?).] [L. deviare to deviate; de + viare to go, travel, via way. See Viaduct.]
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.
© Webster 1913.
De"vi*ate, v. t.
To cause to deviate.
[R.]
To deviate a needle.
J. D. Forbes.
© Webster 1913.