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having declared that he who should untie it should be master of Asia, Alexander the Great averted the ill omen of his inability to loosen it by cutting it with his sword. Hence, a Gordian knot is an inextricable difficulty; and to cut the Gordian knot is to remove a difficulty by bold and energetic measures.…

An instrument to avert the occurrence of hailstorms. See Paragr. Knight.

To avert, as a misfortune; hence, as a supplicatory exclamation, forbid! [Obs.] God shield that it should so befall. Chaucer. God shield I should disturb devotion! Shak.

nded variety of calcite formed by deposition from lime-bearing waters; calcareous tufa; travertine. -- Ceraunian sinter, fulgurite. -- Siliceous sinter, a light cellular or fibrous opal; especially, geyserite (see Geyserite). It has often a pearly luster, and is then called pearl sinter.

Great labor; forcible effort to obtain an object, or to avert an evil. Macaulay.

ed in consequence of some military success, and also, in times of distress and danger, to avert the anger of the gods.

Hence, something that produces extraordinary effects, esp. in averting or repelling evil; an amulet; a charm; as, a talisman to avert diseases. Swift.

ol of the will and actions of; to be able to influence at pleasure. -- To turn aside, to avert. -- To turn away. (a) To dismiss from service; to discard; as, to turn away a servant. (b) To avert; as, to turn away wrath or evil. -- To turn back. (a) To give back; to return. We turn not back the silks upon the merchan…

bsence of anxiety; freedom from solicitude; indifference. A listless unconcern, Cold, and averting from our neighbor's good. Thomson.