divertisement arch.
(dɪˈvɜːtɪzmənt)
[ad. F. divertissement (15th c.) action of diverting, diversion, f. divertiss-: see prec. and -ment.]
1. The action of diverting or fact of being diverted; recreation, entertainment, = diversion 4.
| 1651 Hobbes Govt. & Soc. Ep. Ded., Some for divertisement, and some for businesse. 1719 London & Wise Compl. Gard. 287 Nature now affect[s] no better divertisement than to be amazing us with Miracles of fertility. 1854 J. S. C. Abbott Napoleon (1855) I. i. 21 He left the bat and the ball..and in this strange divertisement found exhilarating joy. 1894 J. Winsor Cartier to Frontenac 200 Half trader, half explorer, wholly bent on divertisement. |
2. with a and pl. An instance of this; an entertainment, amusement; = diversion 4 b.
| 1642 Howell For. Trav. xix. (Arb.) 80 In this variety of studies and divertisments. 1707 Lond. Gaz. No. 4314/3 There will be..Foot-Matches, and other Divertisements. 1801 Strutt Sports & Past. iii. iv. 187 The juggler's exhibition..consists of four divertisements. 1865 M. Pattison Ess. (1889) I. 352 The divertisements of his leisure. |
b. = divertissement 2.
| 1667 Pepys Diary 7 Jan., A most excellent play in all respects, but especially in divertisement, though it be a deep tragedy. 1803 Edin. Rev. II. 180. 1822 T. Moore Mem. (1853) III. 314 Too late for the divertisement in the opera. |