Hypertext Webster Gateway: "sidetrack"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Sidetrack \Side"track`\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Sidetracked}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Sidetracking}.]
1. (Railroads) To transfer to a siding from a main line of
track.
2. Hence, fig., to divert or reduce to a position or
condition that is relatively secondary or subordinate in
activity, importance, effectiveness, or the like; to
switch off; to turn aside, as from a purpose. [Colloq.]
Such a project was, in fact, sidetracked in favor of
the census of school children. --Pop. Sci.
Monthly.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
sidetrack
n : a short stretch of railroad track used to store rolling
stock or enable trains on the same line to pass [syn: {siding},
{railroad siding}]
v : wander from a direct or straight course [syn: {stray}, {depart},
{digress}, {straggle}]
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