v.tr.
1. (often foll. by from) draw away the attention of (a person, the mind, etc.).
2 bewilder, perplex.
3 (as distracted adj.) mad or angry (distracted by grief; distracted with worry).
4 amuse, esp. in order to take the attention from pain or worry.
Derivatives:
distractedly adv.
Etymology: ME f. L distrahere distract- (as DIS-, trahere draw)