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.
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