Distraction
- Distraction Dis*trac"tion, n. [L. distractio: cf. F.
distraction.]
1. The act of distracting; a drawing apart; separation.
[1913 Webster]
To create distractions among us. --Bp. Burnet. [1913 Webster]
2. That which diverts attention; a diversion. ``Domestic distractions.'' --G. Eliot. [1913 Webster]
3. A diversity of direction; detachment. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]
His power went out in such distractions as Beguiled all species. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
4. State in which the attention is called in different ways; confusion; perplexity. [1913 Webster]
That ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction. --1 Cor. vii. 35. [1913 Webster]
5. Confusion of affairs; tumult; disorder; as, political distractions. [1913 Webster]
Never was known a night of such distraction. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]
6. Agitation from violent emotions; perturbation of mind; despair. [1913 Webster]
The distraction of the children, who saw both their parents together, would have melted the hardest heart. --Tatler. [1913 Webster]
7. Derangement of the mind; madness. --Atterbury.
Syn: Perplexity; confusion; disturbance; disorder; dissension; tumult; derangement; madness; raving; franticness; furiousness. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
Look at other dictionaries:
distraction — [ distraksjɔ̃ ] n. f. • 1316; lat. distractio 1 ♦ Vx Action de séparer, de distraire (I, 1o) d un ensemble; son résultat. ⇒ détournement, prélèvement. Mod. Dr. Demande en distraction, présentée par un tiers dont le bien a été compris à tort dans… … Encyclopédie Universelle
Distraction — • Distraction (Lat. distrahere, to draw away, hence to distract) is here considered in so far as it is wont to happen in time of prayer and in administering the sacraments Catholic Encyclopedia. Kevin Knight. 2006. Distraction Distr … Catholic encyclopedia
distraction — DISTRACTION. s. f. Démembrement, séparation d une partie d avec son tout. On a demandé distraction de cette Terre. On a fait distraction du Fief. En ce sens il ne se dit qu en parlant d affaires.Distraction, signifie aussi L inapplication d une… … Dictionnaire de l'Académie Française 1798
distraction — Distraction. s. f. v. Demembrement d une partie d avec son tout. On a demandé distraction de cette terre. on a fait distraction de fief. En ce sens il ne se dit qu en parlant d affaires. Distraction, signifie aussi, L inapplication d une personne … Dictionnaire de l'Académie française
distraction — mid 15c., the drawing away of the mind, from L. distractionem (nom. distractio) a pulling apart, separating, noun of action from pp. stem of distrahere (see DISTRACT (Cf. distract)). Meaning mental disturbance (in driven to distraction, etc.) is… … Etymology dictionary
Distraction — Distraction, lat. deutsch, Zerstreuung, Unachtsamkeit; Veräußerung; Distractio pignoris, Pfandveräußerung. Distrahiren, zerstreuen, achtlos machen, veräußern … Herders Conversations-Lexikon
distraction — index confusion (ambiguity), confusion (turmoil), preoccupation, turmoil Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 … Law dictionary
distraction — [n] having one’s attention drawn away aberration, abstraction, agitation, amusement, beguilement, bewilderment, commotion, complication, confusion, disorder, dissipation, disturbance, diversion, divertissement, engrossment, entertainment, frenzy … New thesaurus
distraction — Distraction, Distractio, Auocatio … Thresor de la langue françoyse
distraction — ► NOUN 1) a thing that diverts attention. 2) a thing offering entertainment. 3) mental agitation … English terms dictionary
