distraction

distraction
/di strak"sheuhn/, n.
1. the act of distracting.
2. the state of being distracted.
3. mental distress or derangement: That child will drive me to distraction.
4. that which distracts, divides the attention, or prevents concentration: The distractions of the city interfere with my studies.
5. that which amuses, entertains, or diverts; amusement; entertainment: Fishing is his major distraction.
6. division or disorder caused by dissension; tumult.
[1425-75; late ME ( < AF) < L distraction- (s. of distractio) separation. See DISTRACT, -ION]
Syn. 3. madness, lunacy, insanity, craziness.

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Universalium. 2010.

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  • 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 — 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… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • 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

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