Deviate /(?)/

De·vi·ate

Deviate

v. i.

imp. & p. p. Deviated; p. pr. & vb. n. Deviating

  1. 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.

Deviate

v. t.
  1. To cause to deviate. [R.]
    To deviate a needle.
    — J. D. Forbes.

deviate

a.
  1. having behavior differing from that which is normal or expected, especially in an undesirable or socially disapproved manner; as, deviate behavior.

deviate

n.
  1. a person having behavior differing from that which is normal or socially acceptable; -- used especially to characterize persons whose sexual behavior is considered morally unacceptable.