† distractn.
Obsolete. rare.
A distraction.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > suffering > state of being upset or perturbed > worry > [noun] > causing worry > cause of worry
disquietation1526
disquiet1574
distract1624
inquietudes1652
chagrin1656
disquietmenta1658
disquietude1711
kiaugh1786
worry1813
worrit1818
worriment1833
tsuris1901
1624 F. Quarles Job Militant in Divine Poems xv. iii The man, whose soule is undistain'd with Ill, Stands onely free from the distracts of Care.
1632 F. Quarles Divine Fancies (1660) i. vi. 4 False hopes, true fears, vain joyes, and fierce distracts.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1896; most recently modified version published online March 2021).
distractadj.
archaic.† 1. Torn or drawn asunder, divided, separated; scattered; torn to pieces. (In quot. 1398 as past participle) Obsolete.† 2. Drawn away, diverted; having the attention diverted. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > arrangement or fact of being arranged > state of being scattered or dispersed > [adjective]
disperse1393
distract1398
scattereda1425
skailed1488
dispersed1526
dissipate1606
dissipated1610
straggled1641
disjected1647
respersed1649
disparpled1652
disseminated1662
shattered1687
sundered1796
decentralized1851
the world > relative properties > wholeness > mutual relation of parts to whole > separation > action of dividing or divided condition > [adjective] > divided
departedc1386
parteda1398
distinct1434
divided1565
partite1570
shedded1575
dismembered1578
severed1581
splitted1594
shared1598
distract1609
disparted1633
split1648
dipartited1825
splitten1832
dipartite1885
1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomew de Glanville De Proprietatibus Rerum (1495) ix. xxv. 362 That the vertues that ben dystracte, sparplyd and made feble by daye wakyng maye be joynyd and rested by benefyce of nyghte.
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 3219 Distracte were þai stithly, & stonyt by dene.
1609 W. Shakespeare Louers Complaint in Sonnets sig. L To your audit comes Their distract parcells, in combined summes.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > inattention > mental wandering > lack of concentration, distraction > [adjective] > distracted
distract1435
bestraughta1547
amused1579
bestract1581
distracteda1634
bestraughteda1650
distrait1748
dissipated1749
R. Misyn tr. R. Rolle Fire of Love 73 Þat with no cry or noys or any odyr þinge fro prayer (þai) may be distracte.
c1530 A. Barclay Egloges ii. sig. Kiv The hungry seruers..At euery morsell, hath eye vnto thy hande So moche on thy morsell dystract is theyr mynde.
1569 T. Watson in R. Crowley Sophistrie T. Watson ii. 151 The priest..may haue his thoughtes distract to some other thing.
3. Perplexed or confused in mind by having the thoughts drawn in different directions. archaic.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > perplexity, bewilderment > [adjective]
yblenta1225
amazed?c1225
wory?c1225
mingedc1275
willc1300
distracta1340
confounded1362
confuse1362
distraitc1374
whapedc1374
wilsomea1375
poseletc1390
distraught1393
perplexa1425
wildc1440
wiltc1440
dodemusydc1450
mistedc1450
unclearc1475
mazed1493
perplexeda1500
traversablea1500
mazyc1525
entangled1561
muddy?1571
distraughted1572
moidered1587
wondering1592
puzzled1598
plundered1601
distracted1604
uncollected1613
wildered1642
turbid1647
tosticated1650
fuddled1656
pixie-led1659
puzzling1692
bumbazed1720
maffled1820
obfuscated1822
confused1825
muddly1829
mystified1833
maze1842
obfusticatedc1844
head-scratching1849
clueless1862
flustery1862
befogged1868
deurmekaar1871
mosy1887
skewgee1890
buggered-up1893
confusticated1898
smock-ravelled1904
messed-up1913
screwed-up1943
hung up1945
lost1967
gravelled-
a1340 R. Rolle Psalter xxiv. 17 I am noght distracte in many thoghtes.
?a1475 (?a1425) tr. R. Higden Polychron. (Harl. 2261) (1865) I. 421 He..see in the aiere a meruellous thynge thro the whiche siȝhte he began to be distracte.
1581 R. Mulcaster Positions v. 31 Being distracte with diuersitie of thoughtes.
1671 J. Milton Samson Agonistes 1556 I recover breath And sense distract, to know well what I utter. View more context for this quotation
1854 S. T. Dobell Balder xxiii. 96 She flung her garlands down, and caught, distract, The skirts of passing tempests.
4. † b. as past participle. Driven mad, distracted. Obsolete.† c. distract of one's wits, etc.: cf. distract v. 6b. Obsolete.
a. Deranged in mind; crazy, mad, insane. archaic.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > mental health > mental illness > [adjective] > insanity or madness > affected with
woodc725
woodsekc890
giddyc1000
out of (by, from, of) wit or one's witc1000
witlessc1000
brainsickOE
amadc1225
lunaticc1290
madc1330
sickc1340
brain-wooda1375
out of one's minda1387
frenetica1398
fonda1400
formada1400
unwisea1400
brainc1400
unwholec1400
alienate?a1425
brainless1434
distract of one's wits1470
madfula1475
furious1475
distract1481
fro oneself1483
beside oneself1490
beside one's patience1490
dementa1500
red-wood?1507
extraught1509
misminded1509
peevish1523
bedlam-ripe1525
straughta1529
fanatic1533
bedlama1535
daft1540
unsounda1547
stark raving (also staring) mad1548
distraughted1572
insane1575
acrazeda1577
past oneself1576
frenzy1577
poll-mad1577
out of one's senses1580
maddeda1586
frenetical1588
distempered1593
distraught1597
crazed1599
diswitted1599
idle-headed1599
lymphatical1603
extract1608
madling1608
distracteda1616
informala1616
far gone1616
crazy1617
March mada1625
non compos mentis1628
brain-crazed1632
demented1632
crack-brained1634
arreptitiousa1641
dementate1640
dementated1650
brain-crackeda1652
insaniated1652
exsensed1654
bedlam-witteda1657
lymphatic1656
mad-like1679
dementative1685
non compos1699
beside one's gravity1716
hyte1720
lymphated1727
out of one's head1733
maddened1735
swivel-eyed1758
wrong1765
brainsickly1770
fatuous1773
derangedc1790
alienated1793
shake-brained1793
crack-headed1796
flighty1802
wowf1802
doitrified1808
phrenesiac1814
bedlamite1815
mad-braineda1822
fey1823
bedlamitish1824
skire1825
beside one's wits1827
as mad as a hatter1829
crazied1842
off one's head1842
bemadded1850
loco1852
off one's nut1858
off his chump1864
unsane1867
meshuga1868
non-sane1868
loony1872
bee-headed1879
off one's onion1881
off one's base1882
(to go) off one's dot1883
locoed1885
screwy1887
off one's rocker1890
balmy or barmy on (or in) the crumpet1891
meshuggener1892
nutty1892
buggy1893
bughouse1894
off one's pannikin1894
ratty1895
off one's trolley1896
batchy1898
twisted1900
batsc1901
batty1903
dippy1903
bugs1904
dingy1904
up the (also a) pole1904
nut1906
nuts1908
nutty as a fruitcake1911
bugged1920
potty1920
cuckoo1923
nutsy1923
puggled1923
blah1924
détraqué1925
doolally1925
off one's rocket1925
puggle1925
mental1927
phooey1927
crackers1928
squirrelly1928
over the edge1929
round the bend1929
lakes1934
ding-a-ling1935
wacky1935
screwball1936
dingbats1937
Asiatic1938
parlatic1941
troppo1941
up the creek1941
screwed-up1943
bonkers1945
psychological1952
out to lunch1955
starkers1956
off (one's) squiff1960
round the twist1960
yampy1963
out of (also off) one's bird1966
out of one's skull1967
whacked out1969
batshit1971
woo-woo1971
nutso1973
out of (one's) gourd1977
wacko1977
off one's meds1986
1481 Will of Sir William Taylour (P.R.O.: PROB. 11/7) f. 80v For seke & distracte people.
1578 H. Lyte tr. R. Dodoens Niewe Herball iii. xciii. 448 To raue, and waxe distracte or furious.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Julius Caesar (1623) iv. ii. 207 With this she fell distract, And (her Attendants absent) swallow'd fire. View more context for this quotation
1663 S. Butler Hudibras: First Pt. i. i. 16 More peevish, cross, and spleenatick, Then Dog distract.
1781 R. B. Sheridan Critic iii. i My daughter..has gone Distract!
ΚΠ
1547 J. Harrison Exhort. Scottes 227 What madnes or deuill..hath so..distracte oure myndes?
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > mental health > mental illness > [adjective] > insanity or madness > affected with
woodc725
woodsekc890
giddyc1000
out of (by, from, of) wit or one's witc1000
witlessc1000
brainsickOE
amadc1225
lunaticc1290
madc1330
sickc1340
brain-wooda1375
out of one's minda1387
frenetica1398
fonda1400
formada1400
unwisea1400
brainc1400
unwholec1400
alienate?a1425
brainless1434
distract of one's wits1470
madfula1475
furious1475
distract1481
fro oneself1483
beside oneself1490
beside one's patience1490
dementa1500
red-wood?1507
extraught1509
misminded1509
peevish1523
bedlam-ripe1525
straughta1529
fanatic1533
bedlama1535
daft1540
unsounda1547
stark raving (also staring) mad1548
distraughted1572
insane1575
acrazeda1577
past oneself1576
frenzy1577
poll-mad1577
out of one's senses1580
maddeda1586
frenetical1588
distempered1593
distraught1597
crazed1599
diswitted1599
idle-headed1599
lymphatical1603
extract1608
madling1608
distracteda1616
informala1616
far gone1616
crazy1617
March mada1625
non compos mentis1628
brain-crazed1632
demented1632
crack-brained1634
arreptitiousa1641
dementate1640
dementated1650
brain-crackeda1652
insaniated1652
exsensed1654
bedlam-witteda1657
lymphatic1656
mad-like1679
dementative1685
non compos1699
beside one's gravity1716
hyte1720
lymphated1727
out of one's head1733
maddened1735
swivel-eyed1758
wrong1765
brainsickly1770
fatuous1773
derangedc1790
alienated1793
shake-brained1793
crack-headed1796
flighty1802
wowf1802
doitrified1808
phrenesiac1814
bedlamite1815
mad-braineda1822
fey1823
bedlamitish1824
skire1825
beside one's wits1827
as mad as a hatter1829
crazied1842
off one's head1842
bemadded1850
loco1852
off one's nut1858
off his chump1864
unsane1867
meshuga1868
non-sane1868
loony1872
bee-headed1879
off one's onion1881
off one's base1882
(to go) off one's dot1883
locoed1885
screwy1887
off one's rocker1890
balmy or barmy on (or in) the crumpet1891
meshuggener1892
nutty1892
buggy1893
bughouse1894
off one's pannikin1894
ratty1895
off one's trolley1896
batchy1898
twisted1900
batsc1901
batty1903
dippy1903
bugs1904
dingy1904
up the (also a) pole1904
nut1906
nuts1908
nutty as a fruitcake1911
bugged1920
potty1920
cuckoo1923
nutsy1923
puggled1923
blah1924
détraqué1925
doolally1925
off one's rocket1925
puggle1925
mental1927
phooey1927
crackers1928
squirrelly1928
over the edge1929
round the bend1929
lakes1934
ding-a-ling1935
wacky1935
screwball1936
dingbats1937
Asiatic1938
parlatic1941
troppo1941
up the creek1941
screwed-up1943
bonkers1945
psychological1952
out to lunch1955
starkers1956
off (one's) squiff1960
round the twist1960
yampy1963
out of (also off) one's bird1966
out of one's skull1967
whacked out1969
batshit1971
woo-woo1971
nutso1973
out of (one's) gourd1977
wacko1977
off one's meds1986
1470–85 T. Malory Morte d'Arthur xii. iv He shold be distracte out of his witte.
1576 T. Newton tr. L. Lemnie Touchstone of Complexions ii. ii. f. 98v Persons distract of their right wittes.
1578 H. Lyte tr. R. Dodoens Niewe Herball iii. xxvi. 352 Melampus..cured with this herbe..the daughters of Prœtus, which were distract of their memories.
1601 F. Godwin Catal. Bishops of Eng. 275 Rauing and taking on like a man distract of his wits.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1896; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
distractv.
/dɪˈstrakt/ a. transitive. To draw in different directions; to draw asunder or apart; to draw away; to separate, divide (literal and figurative). Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > extension in space > spreading or diffusion > [verb (transitive)]
to-spreada1000
spread?c1225
sowc1350
to-scattera1382
diffund?a1425
dilate1430
disparklec1449
diffuse?a1475
provulgate1535
disperse1576
distract1600
disseminate1603
protracta1658
unroll1813
the world > relative properties > wholeness > mutual relation of parts to whole > separation > separate [verb (transitive)]
to-twemec893
sunderOE
asunderOE
shedOE
dealOE
shill1049
skillc1175
to-twinc1175
twinc1230
disseverc1250
depart1297
slita1300
to-throwc1315
parta1325
drevec1325
devisec1330
dividec1374
sever1382
unknit?a1425
divorce1430
separea1450
separate?a1475
untine1496
to put apart1530
discussa1542
deceper1547
disseparate1550
apart1563
unjoint1565
shoal1571
divisionatea1586
single1587
dispart1590
descide1598
disassociate1598
distract1600
dissolve1605
discriminate1615
dissociate1623
discerpa1628
discind1640
dissunder1642
distinguish1648
severize1649
unstring1674
skaila1833
cleave1873
dirempt1885
1600 E. Blount tr. G. F. di Conestaggio Hist. Uniting Portugall to Castill 20 The which he secretly feared, and his ministers greatly hoped for, so were their mindes distracted.
1609 Bp. J. Hall Passion-serm. 101 His Godhead was neuer distracted, either from soule or body.
1626 G. Sandys tr. Ovid Metamorphosis vi. 117 [Marsyas to Apollo] Why doe you (oh!) me from my selfe distract?
1650 J. Bulwer Anthropometamorphosis 164 Whereby the Scapula is distracted and abscedes.
1651 T. Hobbes Leviathan ii. xvii. 86 Being distracted in opinions.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > arrangement or fact of being arranged > state of being scattered or dispersed > scatter [verb (transitive)]
to-shedc888
skairc1175
skaila1400
disparklec1449
scatter?c1450
spartlec1475
sprattlea1500
distribute?c1510
disperge1530
shudderc1540
crumble1547
pour1574
sperse1580
disject1581
spatter1582
distract1589
sparflec1600
esparse1625
fan1639
disperse1654
sparge1786
1589 R. Ashley Comparison Eng. & Spanish Nation sig. A4 I found the treatise to bee so well liked, that the former copies were for the most part alreadie distracted.
1617 F. Moryson Itinerary iii. ii. iii. 88 At Torg, where the best beere is brewed, and from thence distracted to other Cities.
1618 J. Hales Let. 6 Nov. 24 in Golden Remains (1659) Forreign Books brought out of other Countreys should not be distracted here without peculiar leave.
a1661 T. Fuller Worthies (1662) Westm. 237 The Wits of the University were sadly distracted into several Counties, by reason of the plague therein.
2. † b. figurative. To ‘pull to pieces’, undo, spoil. Obsolete.
a. To rend into parts or sections; to divide; usually implying disorder or disintegration. Now rare or Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > creation > destruction > tearing or tearing apart > tear [verb (transitive)] > tear apart
to-loukc890
to-braidc893
to-tearc893
to-teec893
to-rendc950
to-breakc1200
to-tugc1220
to-lima1225
rivea1250
to-drawa1250
to-tosea1250
drawa1300
rendc1300
to-rit13..
to-rivec1300
to-tusec1300
rakea1325
renta1325
to-pullc1330
to-tightc1330
tirec1374
halea1398
lacerate?a1425
to-renta1425
yryve1426
raga1450
to pull to (or in) piecesc1450
ravec1450
discerp1483
pluck1526
rip1530
decerp1531
rift1534
dilaniate1535
rochec1540
rack1549
teasea1550
berend1577
distract1585
ream1587
distrain1590
unrive1592
unseam1592
outrive1598
divulse1602
dilacerate1604
harrow1604
tatter1608
mammocka1616
uprentc1620
divell1628
divellicate1638
seam-rend1647
proscind1659
skail1768
screeda1785
spret1832
to tear to shreds1837
ribbon1897
1585 Abp. E. Sandys Serm. xix. 339 A kingdom..diuided & distracted into factions.
1623 J. Bingham tr. Xenophon Hist. 108 The army of the Grecians [was] distracted into parcells.
1655 T. Stanley Hist. Philos. I. iii. 119 Philosophers who did not distract the Doctrine of their Master into Sects.
1698 J. Fryer New Acct. E.-India & Persia 350 The Power was distracted among the Captains of the Conqueror.
1888 Pall Mall Gaz. 6 Oct. 6 The subject had to be distracted between two discussions.]
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > creation > destruction > destroy [verb (transitive)] > bring to ruin or put an end to
undoc950
shendOE
forfarea1000
endc1000
to do awayOE
aquenchc1175
slayc1175
slayc1175
stathea1200
tinea1300
to-spilla1300
batec1300
bleschea1325
honisha1325
leesea1325
wastec1325
stanch1338
corrumpa1340
destroy1340
to put awayc1350
dissolvec1374
supplanta1382
to-shend1382
aneantizec1384
avoidc1384
to put outa1398
beshenda1400
swelta1400
amortizec1405
distract1413
consumec1425
shelfc1425
abroge1427
downthringc1430
kill1435
poisonc1450
defeat1474
perish1509
to blow away1523
abrogatea1529
to prick (also turn, pitch) over the perka1529
dash?1529
to bring (also send) to (the) pot1531
put in the pot1531
wipea1538
extermine1539
fatec1540
peppera1550
disappoint1563
to put (also set) beside the saddle1563
to cut the throat of1565
to throw (also turn, etc.) over the perch1568
to make a hand of (also on, with)1569
demolish1570
to break the neck of1576
to make shipwreck of1577
spoil1578
to knock on (in) the head (also rarely at head)1579
cipher1589
ruinate1590
to cut off by the shins1592
shipwreck1599
exterminate1605
finish1611
damnify1612
ravel1614
braina1616
stagger1629
unrivet1630
consummate1634
pulverizea1640
baffle1649
devil1652
to blow up1660
feague1668
shatter1683
cook1708
to die away1748
to prove fatal (to)1759
to knock up1764
to knock (or kick) the hindsight out or off1834
to put the kibosh on1834
to cook (rarely do) one's goose1835
kibosh1841
to chaw up1843
cooper1851
to jack up1870
scuttle1888
to bugger up1891
jigger1895
torpedo1895
on the fritz1900
to put paid to1901
rot1908
down and out1916
scuppera1918
to put the skids under1918
stonker1919
liquidate1924
to screw up1933
cruel1934
to dig the grave of1934
pox1935
blow1936
to hit for six1937
to piss up1937
to dust off1938
zap1976
1413 Pilgr. Sowle (1859) ii. xlvi. 52 Yet is my ioye in so moche dystracted that thou are not ther.
1695 Ld. Preston tr. Boethius Of Consol. Philos. iii. 143 By dissevering and segregating the Parts, that Oneness is distracted.
3. To draw or turn away from actual position, destination, or purpose; to turn aside, or in another direction; to divert. (Now only in to distract the attention, to distract the mind, or the like.)
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > inattention > mental wandering > lack of concentration, distraction > distract [verb (transitive)] > from a purpose, etc.
withdraw1340
distractc1380
waive1390
wresta1400
to turn aside1535
avocate1543
detract1548
to turn off1573
take1574
swaya1593
to put out1616
to put off1631
sidetrack1887
to turn off1951
c1380 J. Wyclif Sel. Wks. III. 84 We schulden be war to kepe hem soundeli, for bodeli þingis distractiþ men to kepe hem riȝt.
R. Misyn tr. R. Rolle Fire of Love 65 On ee þai haue of waytynge, A-nodyr of trw sorow, qwhos lufe distractis þe wytt, peruertis & ouerturnes resone.
1612 W. Shute tr. T. de Fougasses Gen. Hist. Venice ii. 12 They might easily..distract him from the alliance with the French King.
1643 W. Prynne Soveraigne Power Parl. App. 166 The Emperour..swears, That he will alianate, distract, or morgage nothing of those things which appertain to the Empire.
1646 Sir T. Browne Pseudodoxia Epidemica ii. ii. 62 The needle..being distracted, driveth that way where the greater & powerfuller part of the earth is placed. View more context for this quotation
1744 M. Akenside Pleasures Imagination ii. 52 Vice, distracting their delicious gifts To aims abhorr'd.
1874 W. B. Carpenter Princ. Mental Physiol. (1879) i. v. 214 [This] distracts the mind from the sense of danger.
1878 R. W. Dale Lect. Preaching (ed. 3) ii. 35 To drive away all thoughts that would distract their attention.
4. To draw in different directions; to divide attention, inclination, etc. (between different objects); to perplex or confuse by divergent aims or interests; to cause dissension or disorder in. (In modern use often associated with senses 5, 6.)
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > dissent > become at variance with [verb (transitive)] > cause (dissension) > set (people) at variance
to-bear971
to cast (in) a bone1498
to set (or fall) at variancec1522
to set by the ears?1566
distract1597
to set outa1610
jarc1615
dissentiate1628
vary1795
1597 F. Bacon Ess. f. 5v To be gouerned by one is not good, and to be distracted with many is worse; but to take aduise of friends is euer honorable.
1638 T. Herbert Some Yeares Trav. (rev. ed.) 216 Hee that sits above..distracted their designe.
1650 T. Fuller Pisgah-sight of Palestine ii. i. 65 How is his tongue distracted between the Spirit of God and the spirit of gold.
1752 S. Johnson Rambler No. 196. ⁋4 He stands distracted by different forms of delight.
1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. 542 The dissensions by which the little band of outlaws was distracted.
1855 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. IV. 555 He was distracted between the fear of losing his ears and the fear of injuring his patron.
1874 J. R. Green Short Hist. Eng. People vii. §8. 432 One of the endless civil wars which distracted the island.
5. To throw into a state of mind in which one knows not how to act; to perplex or bewilder greatly. (Often coloured by sense 6, which is, however, no longer used literally.)
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > perplexity, bewilderment > act of perplexing > confuse, perplex, bewilder [verb (transitive)]
abobc1330
confusec1350
confoundc1374
cumbera1375
passc1384
maskerc1400
mopc1425
enose1430
manga1450
overmusec1460
perplex1477
maze1482
enmuse1502
ruffle?a1505
unsteady1532
entangle1540
duddle1548
intricate1548
distraught1579
distract1582
mizzle1583
moider1587
amuse1595
mist1598
bepuzzle1599
gravel1601
plunder1601
puzzle1603
intrigue1612
vexa1613
metagrobolize?a1616
befumea1618
fuddle1617
crucify1621
bumfiddlea1625
implicate1625
giddify1628
wilder1642
buzzlea1644
empuzzle1646
dunce1649
addle1652
meander1652
emberlucock1653
flounder1654
study1654
disorient1655
embarrass?1656
essome1660
embrangle1664
jumble1668
dunt1672
muse1673
clutter1685
emblustricate1693
fluster1720
disorientate1728
obfuscate1729
fickle1736
flustrate1797
unharmonize1797
mystify1806
maffle1811
boggle1835
unballast1836
stomber1841
throw1844
serpentine1850
unbalance1856
tickle1865
fog1872
bumfuzzle1878
wander1897
to put off1909
defeat1914
dither1919
befuddle1926
ungear1931
to screw up1941
1582 R. Stanyhurst tr. Virgil First Foure Bookes Æneis ii. 30 Thus then I distracted, with al hastning, ran to mye weapons.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Macbeth (1623) ii. iii. 104 They star'd, and were distracted . View more context for this quotation
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost iv. 18 Horror and doubt distract His troubl'd thoughts. View more context for this quotation
1771 E. Griffith tr. ‘P. Viaud’ Shipwreck 198 I was so distracted with joy.
1856 C. Dickens Let. 5 May (1995) VIII. 108 I am at present distracted with doubts.
a. To derange the mind or intellect of; to render insane, drive mad. Obsolete in literal sense: cf. 5.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > mental health > mental illness > drive mad [verb (transitive)]
turn1372
mada1425
overthrow?a1425
to go (also fall, run) mada1450
deferc1480
craze1503
to face (a person) out ofc1530
dement1545
distemper1581
shake1594
distract1600
to go (also run, set) a-madding (or on madding)1600
unwita1616
insaniate?1623
embedlama1628
dementate1628
crack1631
unreason1643
bemad1655
ecstasya1657
overset1695
madden1720
maddle1775
insanify1809
derange1825
bemoon1866
send (someone) up the wall1951
1600 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 2 ii. i. 109 This is a poore made soule..pouerty hath distracted her. View more context for this quotation
1653 D. Osborne Lett. to Sir W. Temple (2002) 89 Sure, the poore woman is a litle distracted she could never bee soe rediculous else.
1781 R. B. Sheridan Trip to Scarborough i. i Stay—thou'lt distract me.
1791 W. Cowper tr. Homer Iliad in Iliad & Odyssey I. xxii. 66 Commis'rate also thy unhappy Sire Ere yet distracted.
ΚΠ
1602 T. Fitzherbert Apol. 27 a He dyed distracted of his sences.
1632 W. Lithgow Totall Disc. Trav. viii. 355 Seeing them all madde and distracted of their wits with sorrow.
1633 Bp. J. Hall Plaine Explic. Hard Texts ii. 88 The view and sense of those judgments..shall utterly distract thee of thy wits.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > mental health > mental illness > be or become mad [verb (intransitive)]
dwelec900
wedec900
awedeeOE
starea1275
braidc1275
ravea1325
to be out of mindc1325
woodc1374
to lose one's mindc1380
madc1384
forgetc1385
to go out of one's minda1398
to wede (out) of, but wita1400
foolc1400
to go (also fall, run) mada1450
forcene1490
ragec1515
waltc1540
maddle?c1550
to go (also run, set) a-madding (or on madding)1565
pass of wita1616
to have a gad-bee in one's brain1682
madden1704
to go (also be) off at the nail1721
distract1768
craze1818
to get a rat1890
to need (to have) one's head examined (also checked, read)1896
(to have) bats in the belfryc1901
to have straws in one's hair1923
to take the bats1927
to go haywire1929
to go mental1930
to go troppo1941
to come apart1954
1768 A. Ross Fortunate Shepherdess 15 (Jam.) Like to distract, she..Cry'd Lindy, Lindy, waes me, are ye dead?
7. = detract v.: cf. distracter n., distraction n. 7.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1896; most recently modified version published online September 2021).
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n.1624
adj.a1340
v.c1380