distract

One entry found for distract.

Main Entry: ²dis·tract
Pronunciation: di-'strakt
Function: transitive verb
Etymology: Middle English, from Latin distractus, past participle of distrahere, literally, to draw apart, from dis- + trahere to draw
1 a : to turn aside : DIVERT <refused to be distracted from her purpose> b : to draw or direct (as one's attention) to a different object or in different directions at the same time <was distracted by a sudden noise>
2 : to stir up or confuse with conflicting emotions or motives
synonym see PUZZLE
- dis·tract·i·bil·i·ty /-"strak-t&-'bi-l&-tE/ noun
- dis·tract·ible also dis·tract·able /-'strak-t&-b&l/ adjective
- dis·tract·ing·ly /-ti[ng]-lE/ adverb