Distract
/dɪsˈtrækt/noun
To divert attention away from something.
Did you know?The Latin root of 'distract' implies tearing apart, suggesting a more sinister force behind our divided attention.
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
distrahere
“To pull apart or separate.”
Medieval Latin
Medieval Latin
distractus
“Divided or drawn in different directions.”
14th Century
Middle English
distracten
“To draw away or divert.”
Modern English
English
distract
“To confuse or divert attention.”