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Webster 1913 Edition

Distraction

Dis-trac′tion

,
Noun.
[L.
distractio
: cf. F.
distraction
.]
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.
Shakespeare
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. 35.
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.
Syn. – Perplexity; confusion; disturbance; disorder; dissension; tumult; derangement; madness; raving; franticness; furiousness.

Webster 1828 Edition

Distraction

DISTRACTION

,
Noun.
[L.]
1.
The act of distracting; a drawing apart; separation.
2.
Confusion from a multiplicity of objects crowding on the mind and calling the attention different ways; perturbation of mind; perplexity; as, the family was in a state of distraction. [See 1 Corinthians 7.]
3.
Confusion of affairs; tumult; disorder; as political distractions.
Never was known a night of such distraction.
4.
Madness; a state of disordered reason; franticness; furiousness. [We usually apply this word to a state of derangement which produces raving and violence in the patient.]
5.
Folly in the extreme, or amounting to insanity.
On the supposition of the truth of the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, irreligion is nothing better than distraction.

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