distraction Meaning, Definition & Usage

noun mental turmoil
- he drives me to distraction
noun an obstacle to attention
noun an entertainment that provokes pleased interest and distracts you from worries and vexations
beguilement.
noun the act of distracting; drawing someone's attention away from something
misdirection.
- conjurers are experts at misdirection

L. distractio: cf. F. distraction.

The act of distracting; a drawing apart; separation.
To create distractions among us. Bp. Burnet.
That which diverts attention; a diversion. "Domestic distractions." G. Eliot.
A diversity of direction; detachment. Obs.
His power went out in such distractions as Beguiled all species. Shak.
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.
Confusion of affairs; tumult; disorder; as, political distractions.
Never was known a night of such distraction. Dryden.
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.
Derangement of the mind; madness. Atterbury. Syn. -- Perplexity; confusion; disturbance; disorder; dissension; tumult; derangement; madness; raving; franticness; furiousness.