Middle English Dictionary Entry
distrait ppl.
Entry Info
| Forms | distrait ppl. Also destrat, destrait. |
| Etymology | OF de(s)trait, ppl. of detraire tear, etc., but with meanings of distraught & distract. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Withdrawn, separated; (b) distracted; (c) perturbed, distressed.
Associated quotations
a
- (1435) Misyn FL (Corp-O 236)39/20 : To criste besily cleuand..fro hym neuer distrait [L distractum].
b
- a1500 Imit.Chr.(Dub 678)41/29 : So muche is a man lette and distraite [L distrahitur] as [outwarde] þinges are drawen to him.
c
- ?c1425 Chaucer Bo.(Cmb Ii.3.21)3.pr.8.63/6 : Axesthow glorye? thow shalt ben so destrat by aspere thinges, þat thow shalt forgoon sykernesse.
- a1475(a1456) Shirley Death Jas.(Add 5467)17 : The other ladyes..cryyng and wepyng all destraite, made a pitous and lamentable noyse.