DISTRACTION • FREE-TRANSLATOR.COM • Definition of Distraction

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/dɪstrˈækʃən/ Listen

noun

Distraction n.

The act of distracting; a drawing apart; separation. "To create distractions among us."

That which diverts attention; a diversion. "Domestic distractions."

A diversity of direction; detachment. (Obs.) "His power went out in such distractions as Beguiled all species."

State in which the attention is called in different ways; confusion; perplexity. "That ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction."

Confusion of affairs; tumult; disorder; as, political distractions. "Never was known a night of such distraction."

Agitation from violent emotions; perturbation of mind; despair. "The distraction of the children, who saw both their parents together, would have melted the hardest heart."

Derangement of the mind; madness.

Synonyms: Perplexity; confusion; disturbance; disorder; dissension; tumult; derangement; madness; raving; franticness; furiousness.

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Etymology of 'Distraction'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Distraction" Quotes from Famous Books

... when the surprise is not extraordinary their actions are wild. When Tom Pinch calls upon John Westlock in London, after no very long separation, John, welcoming him at breakfast, puts the rolls into his boots, and so forth. And this kind of distraction comes upon men and women everywhere in his books—distractions of laughter as well. All this seems artificial to-day, whereas Dickens in his best moments is the simplest, as he is the most vigilant, of men. But his public was as present to him as an actor's audience ...

— Hearts of Controversy • Alice Meynell

... her thumb and finger a little china cup of tea well laced, she called it, with Cognac, remarked,—"They fairly run the Intendant down, Froumois: there is not a girl in the city but laces her boots to distraction since it came out that the Intendant admires a neat, trim ankle. I had a trim ankle myself when I was ...

— The Golden Dog - Le Chien d'Or • William Kirby

... liberty gains ground, in spite of so much injustice and folly. I confess, however, that I sometimes feel the strange emotion that a man might experience on seeing, after the lapse of years, the lovely woman whom he loved to distraction at twenty, in the arms of a person whom ...

— His Excellency the Minister • Jules Claretie

... prejudice his (Mr Hancocks) Election. Mr Gray declard to me that he did not hear me mention a Word of Mr Hancocks Election - that a conversation happend between Mr John Cotton & my self (Mr Gray being present) relative to Mr Otis - that Mr Cotton said Mr Otis' Conduct must be the Effect of Distraction or Drunkeness - that I said I did not think so - but that it rather proceeded from Irritation - that he (Mr Gray) said if Mr Otis is distracted why should Mr Hancock pursue him - & that I answerd that Mr Hancock might be stirred up by others to do it, but I thought he had ...

— The Writings of Samuel Adams, volume II (1770 - 1773) - collected and edited by Harry Alonso Cushing • Samuel Adams

... of dread took possession of her. Where had he gone? What was he doing? Doubtless enjoying himself—what bitterness there was in the thought! She did not grudge him any pleasure, but it was hard that he should find so little in her company. Why was there no distraction for her? The torment of her mind was awful; should she try his remedy? She went to the sideboard and poured herself out some whisky, but even as she raised it to her lips she felt it unworthy to have recourse to it, and ...

— The Beth Book - Being a Study of the Life of Elizabeth Caldwell Maclure, a Woman of Genius • Sarah Grand

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