distraction
/dɪˈstrækʃən/
noun
Origin
Latin
distractio — a pulling asunder, separation
Overview
Meaning Now
- a thing that prevents someone from giving full attention to something else
- the state of being amused or entertained
- extreme agitation of the mind; mental distress or confusion
Literal older meaning
a drawing apart or pulling away
Language path
Latin → Middle French → English
Earliest form
distractioun
Earliest period
late 14th century
Journey
The term originally carried a much stronger sense of mental agony or 'being torn apart' mentally, reflecting the Latin root 'trahere' (to pull). By the 18th century, it had softened to its current usage involving a lack of focus or a source of amusement.
Evolution
- Classical Latin
distractio
“separation, division”
- Late Latin
distractionem
“confusion of mind”
Shifted to mean mental disturbance
- Middle French
distraction
“deviation, diversion”
- Early Modern English
distraction
“madness, mental derangement”
- Modern English
distraction
“something that draws attention away”
Connections
Word parts
dis-
prefix
apart, asunder
tract-
root
to pull, drag
-ion
suffix
act or process
Related across languages
French
distraction, absent-mindedness
Spanish
distracción
distraction, amusement
Explore next
Related to distraction
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.