distraction

Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Jump to: navigation, search

Contents

English[edit]

Etymology[edit]

See to distract.

Pronunciation[edit]

Noun[edit]

distraction (plural distractions)

  1. Something that distracts.
    Poking one's eye is a good distraction from a hurting toe.
    • 1913, Robert Barr, chapter 4, Lord Stranleigh Abroad[1]:
      “… This is a surprise attack, and I’d no wish that the garrison, forewarned, should escape. I am sure, Lord Stranleigh, that he has been descanting on the distraction of the woods and the camp, or perhaps the metropolitan dissipation of Philadelphia, …”
  2. The process of being distracted.
    We have to reduce distraction in class if we want students to achieve good results.
  3. Perturbation; disorder; disturbance; confusion.
    • 1662 Thomas Salusbury, Galileo's dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems (Dialogue 2):
      It's true that the Copernican Systeme introduceth distraction in the universe of Aristotle.
  4. Mental disorder; a deranged state of mind; insanity.
    The incessant nightmares drove him to distraction.

Translations[edit]

The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables, removing any numbers. Numbers do not necessarily match those in definitions. See instructions at Help:How to check translations.

References[edit]


French[edit]

Pronunciation[edit]

Noun[edit]

distraction f (plural distractions)

  1. distraction
  2. entertainment

Related terms[edit]