distracted etymology

Etymology:

  • Latin: "distractus," meaning "drawn apart," past participle of "distrahere," meaning "to separate," "tear apart"
  • Origin: From the prefix "dis-" (apart) and "trahere" (to draw)

Meaning:

  • Divided in attention or interest
  • Confused or bewildered
  • Interrupted or diverted from one's current activity

Origin:

The word "distracted" originally referred to the physical act of separating or tearing apart. Over time, it evolved to describe the mental state of having one's attention divided or scattered. This use of the word first appeared in the late 14th century.

In the 16th century, "distracted" began to be used to describe a state of mental confusion or bewilderment. This usage is likely derived from the idea that when one's attention is divided, it becomes difficult to focus and think clearly.

Today, "distracted" is commonly used to describe the experience of interruption or diversion from one's current activity. This usage reflects the increasing prevalence of distractions in modern society, such as digital devices and social media.

distracted relate terms

  • 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

  • distracted

    Etymology Latin distractus meaning drawn apart past participle of distrahere

  • distraught

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

  • tract

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

  • distracted

    Etymology Latin distractus meaning drawn apart past participle of distrahere

  • pensive

    Etymology The word pensive originates from the Old French word pensif which means t

  • abstracted

    Abstracted Etymology Derived from the Latin verb abstrahere meaning to draw away

  • wild

    Etymology The word wild comes from the Old English word wilde which means living in

  • 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

  • perturb

    Etymology Latin perturbare Proto Italic per turbare Proto Indo European tewrh

  • rack

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

  • cark

    Etymology and Meaning The word car is derived from the Latin word carrus which mean

  • set up

    Etymology Meaning The study of the history of words and their origins Origin Greek

  • confuse

    Etymology refers to the origin and development of words It traces the historical changes