distract etymology

Etymology:

• Dis- (Latin prefix): "apart," "away," "opposite"
• Trahere (Latin verb): "to pull, draw"

Meaning:

To divert or draw the attention away from something else; to keep occupied or engaged in a way that prevents focus on another matter.

Origin:

The word "distract" first appeared in English in the 14th century, derived from the Latin word "distrahere," meaning "to pull apart or separate." This term initially referred to the physical sense of dividing or tearing something into pieces. Over time, it acquired a broader meaning of "diverting attention" or "keeping someone busy with something else."

Usage:

The word "distract" is often used in the following contexts:

• To interrupt someone's concentration: "The loud noise distracted me from my reading."
• To keep someone engaged in a non-productive activity: "I distracted her by showing her pictures while I finished my work."
• To reduce the impact or severity of something: "I tried to distract myself from the pain by listening to music."
• As a noun, "distractions" refers to things that divert attention or prevent focus: "Avoiding distractions is essential for productivity."

distract relate terms

• distracted

  Etymology Latin distractus meaning drawn apart past participle of distrahere

• distract

  Etymology Dis Latin prefix apart away opposite Trahere Latin verb to pu

• tract

  Etymology The word tract comes from the Latin tractus meaning a drawn line a stre

• drag

  Etymology The word drag originates from the Middle English term dragen which means

• disport

  Etymology The word disport has Latin roots It derives from dis meaning away o

• perturb

  Etymology Latin perturbare Proto Italic per turbare Proto Indo European tewrh

• ruffle

  Origin and Etymology of Ruffle The word ruffle originated in the late 15th century fr

• distraught

  Etymology Late Middle English distraught a combination of di a prefix denoting se

• racket

  The word racket is derived from the French word raquette which means a palm of the ha

• disturb

  Etymology Latin disturbare meaning to throw into disorder confuse Meaning To cau

• worry

  Etymology 1500s Borrowed from Middle English wurgen to strangle from Old English wy

• rack

  Etymology Middle English rake from Old English racu meaning heap pile ridge Prot