Middle English Dictionary Entry
distracten v.
Entry Info
| Forms | distracten v. P. 3 distract; p.ppl. distract(ed. |
| Etymology | From L distractus, ppl. of distrahere. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) To distract (sb., the mind, etc.); divert (sb. from an observance); ~ fro, ~ to; (b) ppl. distract, distracted; ~ aboute, absent-minded.
Associated quotations
a
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)126b/b : Nyȝt is tyme of slepinge and of reste, þat þe vertues þat beþ distract [L distracte]..and I-made feeble bi day wakynge may be oned.
- ?a1425 Wycl.CGosp.Luke (Cmb Kk.2.9:Hudson)26/228 : Þe Lord..nolde hem to be distract bi gretyng of men metyng hem.
- (1435) Misyn FL (Corp-O 236)5/29 : When þai in body ar in þe kyrk, in mynde dystract þai ar to warldly gude.
- (1435) Misyn FL (Corp-O 236)73/15 : Þai truly ar so stabyld, þat with no cry or noys..fro prayer may be distracte [L distrahi].
- a1450(a1400) Wycl.10 Com.(1) (Bod 789)84 : Bodeli þingis distractiþ men to kepe hem.
- c1450(a1400) Orolog.Sap.(Dc 114)354/19 : Forto kepe þe sabbate, is to haue þe herte free..fro alle worldly cures..þat myghte distracte hit.
- c1450(a1400) Orolog.Sap.(Dc 114)354/43 : Whanne he is distracte and drawen aweye, þanne be he sory and sieke as often as hee felith hym-selfe departed fro þat biholdynge.
- a1500 Imit.Chr.(Dub 678)92/27 : In þis valey of teres..euell þinges..darkiþ my mynde, & distractiþ [L distrahunt] me..þat I may not haue fre comyng to þe [Christ].
b
- c1440 Bonav.Medit.(3) (Thrn)218 : If þou..had þi herte and þi mynd gedirde to-gedire & nott distracte abowte in þe werlde abowte oþer thynges.
- c1450 Jacob's W.(Sal 103)108/19 : Þis negligens makyth þe ofte tyme dystracte, & to make manye defawȝtes in þin offyce.
- a1500(c1340) Rolle Psalter (UC 64)24.17 : I am noght distracte in many thoghtes, bot in anhed of thi lufe dwelland.
2.
(a) To perturb (sb.), upset, or distress; (b) to derange (sb.).
Associated quotations
a
- a1450(?c1421) Lydg.ST (Arun 119)3265 : She, quaking in her drede..to þe Grekes Ran..distracte and furious.
- ?a1425(c1380) Chaucer Bo.(Benson-Robinson)3.pr.8.19 : Thow shalt so bien distract [L distractus] by aspere thynges, that thow schalt forgon sykernesse.
- (1435) Misyn FL (Corp-O 236)65/25 : Qwhos [women's] lufe distractis þe wytt [L sensum distrahit] peruertis..resone.
- (1450) Complaint in War.AM 4182 : And put his wiff..in suche fere..that she was mony dayes after distracte.
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)3219 : By frekys..Distracte were þai stithly..And braid to þere bright gere, buskit hom furthe.
- c1450(1410) Walton Boeth.(Lin-C 103)p.52 : Moche noyse of thyne affeccioun Hath sore distracted and distourbed þee And put thy mynde out of tranquillite.
- c1460(?c1400) Beryn (Nthld 55)2555 : Geffrey sawe this Beryn so distract..Pite in-to eche veyn of his hert crept.
- c1460(?c1400) Beryn (Nthld 55)3379 : His hert was ful woo, And His meyny sory, distrakt, & al a-mayide.
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)1.421 : He..see in the aiere a meruellous thynge thro the whiche siȝhte he began to be distracte.
b
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)4.149 : Lucrecias..was distracte [Trev.: worþe wood; L in furorem versus] afterwarde þro a drynke of luffe.
3.
Med. To divert or draw off (a morbid humor).
Associated quotations
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)158b/b : Farmaciez laxatyuez bene giffen..for to distracte or withdrawe..and auoide it [a morbid humor].
4.
To detract from (joy), lessen.
Associated quotations
- a1500(1413) *Pilgr.Soul (Eg 615)2.7.34b : Yit is my ioye in so muche distracted, þat thu art nought as yitte ther þat þu oughtest to be, an hie in ful felicite.
5.
To alienate (property), sell; ?also, misappropriate (funds), defalcate.
Associated quotations
- (a1460) Bokenham Sts. (Adv Abbotsford B3)14.6 (v.1:p.145) : This blissid maide the grete possessions and rychessis which she was borne to, distract and solde, and yafe the price therof vnto pore men.
- (a1460) Bokenham Sts. (Adv Abbotsford B3)59.476 (v.1:p.367) : Somme detratid Seynt Gregorie and seyden that he had wastfully distract and distroied the tresore of the chirche.