Attn DU Vocab Wizards:

[St. Jarvitude]

I'm looking for help as to the definition of "perwented", used in this context in Oliver Twist:

'You won't do nothing of the kind,' rejoined Mr. Sikes. 'The Artful's a deal too artful, and would forget to come, or lose his way, or get dodged by traps and so be perwented, or anything for an excuse, if you put him up to it. Nancy shall go to the ken and fetch it, to make all sure; and I'll lie down and have a snooze while she's gone.'

[Winamericaback]

1. Curtailed?

I've never read it or even heard that word and it doesn't exist in the dictionary. The only thing I can see is possibly curtailed or something synonymous.

[jayctravis]

2. Could it be a garbling of "prevented"?

[Brundle_Fly]

4. exactly

n/t

[St. Jarvitude]

6. Aha! That makes the most sense.

Thanks :hi:

[alittlelark]

3. 'distracted by the unknown'

that would be my take on it.

[jdots]

5. you're gonna have to ask the freepers

they're fuckin wicked smaht ,they can quote Oliver North