distracting

2 definitions found

distracting - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Distract \Dis*tract"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Distracted, old p.
     p. Distraught; p. pr. & vb. n. Distracting.]
     1. To draw apart or away; to divide; to disjoin.
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              A city . . . distracted from itself.  --Fuller.
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     2. To draw (the sight, mind, or attention) in different
        directions; to perplex; to confuse; as, to distract the
        eye; to distract the attention.
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              Mixed metaphors . . . distract the imagination.
                                                    --Goldsmith.
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     3. To agitate by conflicting passions, or by a variety of
        motives or of cares; to confound; to harass.
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              Horror and doubt distract
              His troubled thoughts.                --Milton.
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     4. To unsettle the reason of; to render insane; to craze; to
        madden; -- most frequently used in the participle,
        distracted.
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              A poor mad soul; . . . poverty hath distracted her.
                                                    --Shak.
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  Distracting \Dis*tract"ing\, a.
     Tending or serving to distract.
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