WordWeight : Weighing the Words

Pronunciation : Dis*trac"tion
Part of Speech : n.
Etymology : [L. distractio: cf. F. distraction.]
Definition : 1. The act of distracting; a drawing apart; separation. To create distractions among us. Bp. Burnet.

2. That which diverts attention; a diversion. "Domestic distractions." G. Eliot.

3. A diversity of direction; detachment. [Obs.] His power went out in such distractions as Beguiled all species. Shak.

4. State in which the attention is called in different ways; confusion; perplexity. That ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction. 1 Cor. vii. 3

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

6. 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. Tatler.

7. Derangement of the mind; madness. Atterbury.

Syn. -- Perplexity; confusion; disturbance; disorder; dissension; tumult; derangement; madness; raving; franticness; furiousness.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913