de·tour (dē'tʊr', dĭ-tʊr')
n.

1. A roundabout way or course, especially a road used temporarily instead of a main route.
2. A deviation from a direct course of action.

intr. & tr.v., -toured, -tour·ing, -tours.
To go or cause to go by a roundabout way.

[French détour, from Old French destor, from destorner, to turn away : des-, de- + torner, to turn; see turn.]

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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