to do something that is different from the usual or common way of behaving

The recent pattern of weather deviates from the norm for this time of year. 近来的天气状况与往年同期相比有些异常。

to go in a different direction

The path follows the river closely, occasionally deviating around a clump of trees. 这条小路紧挨着河，只是在遇到树林时才偶尔偏离一下。