The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Avert \A*vert"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Averted; p. pr. & vb. n.
   Averting.] [L. avertere; a, ab + vertere to turn: cf. OF.
   avertir. See Verse, n.]
   To turn aside, or away; as, to avert the eyes from an object;
   to ward off, or prevent, the occurrence or effects of; as,
   how can the danger be averted? "To avert his ire." --Milton.
   [1913 Webster]

         When atheists and profane persons do hear of so many
         discordant and contrary opinions in religion, it doth
         avert them from the church.              --Bacon.
   [1913 Webster]

         Till ardent prayer averts the public woe. --Prior.
   [1913 Webster]

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Avert \A*vert"\, v. i.
   To turn away. [Archaic]
   [1913 Webster]

         Cold and averting from our neighbor's good. --Thomson.
   [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

avert
    v 1: prevent the occurrence of; prevent from happening; "Let's
         avoid a confrontation"; "head off a confrontation"; "avert
         a strike" [syn: debar, forefend, forfend, obviate,
         deflect, avert, head off, stave off, fend off,
         avoid, ward off]
    2: turn away or aside; "They averted their eyes when the King
       entered" [syn: avert, turn away]