de|tour

de|tour «DEE tur, dih TUR», noun, verb.

–n.

1. a road that is used when the main or direct road cannot be traveled: »

The route you suggest is full of detours.

2. Figurative. a roundabout way: »

He took several detours before getting the right answer. A detour in reading often reveals unexpected pleasure.

–v.i.

to use a detour: »

We detoured around the bridge that had been washed out.

–v.t.

to cause to use a detour: »

The police detoured all traffic on Broadway to keep it open for the parade.

╂[< French détour < Old French destourner turn aside < des- away (< Latin dis-) + tourner to turn < Latin tornāre]