sidetrack

In lang=en terms the difference between sidetrack and deflect

is that sidetrack is to deviate briefly from the topic at hand while deflect is to deviate from its original path.

As verbs the difference between sidetrack and deflect

is that sidetrack is to divert (a locomotive) on to a lesser used track in order to allow other trains to pass while deflect is to make (something) deviate from its original path.

As a noun sidetrack

is (rail transport) a second, relatively short length of track just to the side of a railroad track, joined to the main track by switches at one or both ends, used either for unloading freight, or to allow two trains on a same track to meet (opposite directions) or pass (same direction); a railroad siding.

In intransitive terms the difference between sidetrack and derail

is that sidetrack is to deviate briefly from the topic at hand while derail is to deviate from the previous course or direction.

As nouns the difference between sidetrack and derail

is that sidetrack is a second, relatively short length of track just to the side of a railroad track, joined to the main track by switches at one or both ends, used either for unloading freight, or to allow two trains on a same track to meet (opposite directions) or pass (same direction); a railroad siding while derail is a device placed on railway tracks causing a train to derail.

As verbs the difference between sidetrack and derail

is that sidetrack is to divert (a locomotive) on to a lesser used track in order to allow other trains to pass while derail is to cause to come off the tracks.

As nouns the difference between sidetrack and byway

is that sidetrack is (rail transport) a second, relatively short length of track just to the side of a railroad track, joined to the main track by switches at one or both ends, used either for unloading freight, or to allow two trains on a same track to meet (opposite directions) or pass (same direction); a railroad siding while byway is a road that is not frequently travelled.

As a verb sidetrack

is to divert (a locomotive) on to a lesser used track in order to allow other trains to pass.

As nouns the difference between taxonomy and sidetrack

is that taxonomy is the science or the technique used to make a classification while sidetrack is (rail transport) a second, relatively short length of track just to the side of a railroad track, joined to the main track by switches at one or both ends, used either for unloading freight, or to allow two trains on a same track to meet (opposite directions) or pass (same direction); a railroad siding.

As a verb sidetrack is

to divert (a locomotive) on to a lesser used track in order to allow other trains to pass.

In lang=en terms the difference between stray and sidetrack

is that stray is to cause to stray while sidetrack is to deviate briefly from the topic at hand.

As nouns the difference between stray and sidetrack

is that stray is any domestic animal that has an enclosure, or its proper place and company, and wanders at large, or is lost; an estray while sidetrack is (rail transport) a second, relatively short length of track just to the side of a railroad track, joined to the main track by switches at one or both ends, used either for unloading freight, or to allow two trains on a same track to meet (opposite directions) or pass (same direction); a railroad siding.

As verbs the difference between stray and sidetrack

is that stray is to wander, as from a direct course; to deviate, or go out of the way while sidetrack is to divert (a locomotive) on to a lesser used track in order to allow other trains to pass.

As an adjective stray

is having gone astray; strayed; wandering; as, a stray horse or sheep.