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The act of turning aside from any course, occupation, or object; as, the diversion of a stream from its channel; diversion of the mind from business.

The state of being amused; pleasurable excitement; that which amuses; diversion. His favorite amusements were architecture and gardening. Macaulay.

A calling away; a diversion. [Obs. or Archaic] Impulses to duty, and powerful avocations from sin. South.

a moth, esp. of the genus Euprepia. -- Bear garden. (a) A place where bears are kept for diversion or fighting. (b) Any place where riotous conduct is common or permitted. M. Arnold. -- Bear leader, one who leads about a performing bear for money; hence, a facetious term for one who takes charge of a young man on his…

To apply to any use by a diversion from the proper or intended use; to appropriate dishonestly or illegally. When a bystander took a coin to get it changed, and converted it, [it was] held no larceny. Cooley.

Play; sport; pastime; diversion; playfulness. Milton.

Act of disporting; diversion; play. [Obs.] Dr. H. More.

That which diverts attention; a diversion. "Domestic distractions." G. Eliot.

Diversion; amusement; recreation. [R.]

ons of good breeding; as, to dress, dance, sing, ride, etc., in the fashion. The innocent diversions in fashion. Locke. As now existing, fashion is a form of social regulation analogous to constitutional government as a form of political regulation. H. Spencer.

To play at any sport or diversion.

Pertaining to athletic exercises intended for health, defense, or diversion; -- said of games or exercises, as running, leaping, wrestling, throwing the discus, the javelin, etc.; also, pertaining to disciplinary exercises for the intellect; athletic; as, gymnastic exercises, contests, etc.

ment desire; -- usually with for or after; as, to hanker after fruit; to hanker after the diversions of the town. Addison. He was hankering to join his friend. J. A. Symonds.

a laughingstock. Then let me be your jest; I deserve it. Shak. In jest, for mere sport or diversion; not in truth and reality; not in earnest. And given in earnest what I begged in jest. Shak. -- Jest book, a book containing a collection of jests, jokes, and amusing anecdotes; a Joe Miller.

een beings equal in nature, though unequal in circumstances. Collier. He that thinks that diversion may not lie in hard labor, forgets the early rising and hard riding of huntsmen. Locke.

A festive entertainment of dancing or other diversions, where all wear masks; a masquerade; hence, a revel; a frolic; a delusive show. Bacon. This thought might lead me through the world's vain mask. Milton.

bly of persons wearing masks, and amusing themselves with dancing, conversation, or other diversions. In courtly balls and midnight masquerades. Pope.

ll boy. Where there are little masters and misses in a house, they are impediments to the diversions of the servants. Swift.

To sport or make diversion in a mask or disguise; to mask. With mumming and with masking all around. Spenser.

One who mumms, or makes diversion in disguise; a masker; a buffon. Jugglers and dancers, antics, mummers. Milton.