distract
[ dih-strakt ]
/ dɪˈstrækt /
verb (used with object)
to draw away or divert, as the mind or attention: The music distracted him from his work.
to disturb or trouble greatly in mind; beset: Grief distracted him.
to provide a pleasant diversion for; amuse; entertain: I'm bored with bridge, but golf still distracts me.
to separate or divide by dissension or strife.
adjective
Obsolete. distracted.
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Origin of distract
1350–1400; Middle English < Latin distractus (past participle of distrahere to draw apart), equivalent to dis- dis-1 + trac- (variant stem of trahere to draw) + -tus past participle suffix
OTHER WORDS FROM distract
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020
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British Dictionary definitions for distract
distract
/ (dɪˈstrækt) /
verb (tr)
(often passive) to draw the attention of (a person) away from something
to divide or confuse the attention of (a person)
to amuse or entertain
to trouble greatly
to make mad
Derived forms of distract
Word Origin for distract
C14: from Latin distractus perplexed, from distrahere to pull in different directions, from dis- 1 + trahere to drag
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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