Distracter

He who, or that which, distracts the mind, or diverts the attention. Distract/ful, a . Having power to distract or perplex. Distract'ible, a. Susceptible of being diverted aside. Distract'ile, n . ( Bot . ) A connective which divides into two unequal portions, one of which supports a cell, and the other not, as in Salvia . Distraction, ( dis -trak's hun,) n. [Fr.] The act of dis tracting; a drawing apart; tendency to separation; a diversion. - Confusion; perplexity; state of divided attention. - Disturbance; disorder; tumult; di ension; as, the distraction of political parties. - Violent mental perturbation; predominance of some engro ing sentiment or pa ion; as, the distraction of love. - Derangement of the intellect; madne ; insanity; state of being demented or frantic; furiousne . "Commiserate those who labour under a settled distraction." Atterbury. Distractive, a. Causing distraction or perplexity; as, distractive cares. Distrain', v . n. [O. Fr. distraindre ; Lat. dist ring ere dis, and stringo , akin to Gr. strang go; Ger. strängen , to draw tight.] ( Law . ) To seize for debt; to take a personal chattel from the po e ion of a wrong-doer into the holding of the injured party, to satisfy a demand, or compel the performance of a duty. -v. a. To make seizure of goods. Distrainable, a. That may be distrained or made over by seizure.