Part 431

Bp. Burnet.

2. That which diverts attention; a diversion. "Domestic distractions." G. Eliot.

3. A diversity of direction; detachment. [Obs.]

His power went out in such distractions as Beguiled all species.

Shak.

4. State in which the attention is called in different ways; confusion; perplexity.

That ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction.

1 Cor. vii. 35.

5. Confusion of affairs; tumult; disorder; as, political distractions.

Never was known a night of such distraction.

Dryden.

6. Agitation from violent emotions; perturbation of mind; despair.

The distraction of the children, who saw both their parents together, would have melted the hardest heart.

Tatler.

7. Derangement of the mind; madness. Atterbury.

Syn. -- Perplexity; confusion; disturbance; disorder; dissension; tumult; derangement; madness; raving; franticness; furiousness.

Dis*trac"tious (?), a. Distractive. [Obs.]

Dis*trac"tive (?), a. Causing perplexity; distracting. "Distractive thoughts." Bp. Hall.

Dis*train" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Distrained (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Distraining.] [OE. destreinen to force, OF. destreindre to press, oppress, force, fr. L. distringere, districtum, to draw asunder, hinder, molest, LL., to punish severely; di- = stringere to draw tight, press together. See Strain, and cf. Distress, District, Distraint.] 1. To press heavily upon; to bear down upon with violence; hence, to constrain or compel; to bind; to distress, torment, or afflict. [Obs.] "Distrained with chains." Chaucer.

2. To rend; to tear. [Obs.]

Neither guile nor force might it [a net] distrain.

Spenser.

3. (Law) (a) To seize, as a pledge or indemnification; to take possession of as security for nonpayment of rent, the reparation of an injury done, etc.; to take by distress; as, to distrain goods for rent, or of an amercement. (b) To subject to distress; to coerce; as, to distrain a person by his goods and chattels.

Dis*train", v. i. To levy a distress.

Upon whom I can distrain for debt.

Camden.

Dis*train"a*ble (?), a. Capable of being, or liable to be, distrained. Blackstone.

Dis*train"er (?), n. Same as Distrainor.