Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • To turn the mind; fix the attention; give or pay heed: with to, and sometimes upon, before the object of attention.
  • To turn the attention in speech or writing; make a remark or remarks (about or in relation to): with to, and formerly sometimes on or upon, before the subject of remark: as, he adverted briefly to the occurrences of the day.
  • Synonyms Advert (to), Refer (to), Allude (to), Hint (at), remark (upon), take notice (of), dwell (upon), glance (at), animadvert (upon). These words are primarily used of the speaker in the conduct of his discourse. Advert, to turn to a thing directly and plainly, perhaps abruptly, so that the hearer's attention is fixed upon it for a time. Refer implies a lighter treatment than advert. Allude, to play upon, is a still more delicate reference to something that is well enough known to make an allusion sufficient, or is too much a matter of sensitiveness to permit the speaker to advert, or even refer, to it plainly; for these or other reasons, the mention is slight or indefinite. A still lighter reference is expressed by hint (at). See hint, v.
  • To turn the mind or attention to; take note of; observe.
  • To advise, warn, or counsel.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • intransitive verb To turn the mind or attention; to refer; to take heed or notice; -- with to.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun informal An advertisement, an ad.
  • verb To turn attention.
  • verb To call attention, refer; construed with to.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • verb make a more or less disguised reference to
  • noun a public promotion of some product or service
  • verb make reference to
  • verb give heed (to)

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

Middle English adverten, from Old French advertir "to notice", from Latin advertere "to turn toward". See adverse.

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Examples

Comments

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  • I love the way the given definition is for the verb form.

    November 17, 2007

  • Yes, weirdnet throws up the odd gem doesn't it.

    November 17, 2007