Distract Definition

dĭ-străkt
distracted, distracting, distracts
verb
distracted, distracting, distracts
To cause (someone) to have difficulty paying attention to something.
The voices in the other room distracted him, so he couldn't concentrate on his homework.
American Heritage
To draw (the mind, attention, etc.) away in another direction; divert.
Webster's New World
To draw in conflicting directions; create conflict or confusion in.
Webster's New World
To drive insane; craze.
Webster's New World
To cause to feel worried or uneasy; unsettle.
The company's workforce was distracted by the prospect of a takeover.
American Heritage
Antonyms:
adjective
(obsolete) Separated; drawn asunder.
Wiktionary
(obsolete) Insane; mad.
Wiktionary

Origin of Distract

  • Middle English distracten from Latin distrahere distract- to pull away dis- apart dis– trahere to draw

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • From Latin distraho (“to pull apart”), from dis- + traho (“to pull”).

    From Wiktionary

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