distort (distort)

[L. distort us, pp.: see the verb.] Twisted out of shape; distorted. Her face was ugly and her mouth distort. Spenser, F. Q., V. xii. 36. distortedly (dis-tor'ted-li), adv. In a distorted manner; crookedly. Men born with silver spoons in their mouths, and prone to regard human affairs as reflected in those somewhat distortedly. H. Spencer, Social Statics, p. 370. distorter (dis-tôr'ter), n. One who or that which distorts. IMG:content-2896.png:[blocks in formation] distractt (dis-trakt'), a. [ Chaucer, Boethius, iii. prose 8. With this she fell distract , And, her attendants absent, swallow'd fire. Shak ., J. C., iv. 3. When any fall from virtue, I am distract ; I have an interest in 't. Beau , and Fl . , Phil aster, iii. 1. distracted (dis-trakʼted), p . a . [Pp. of distract , tortio ( n- ), We prove its use Sovereign and most effectual to secure A form not now gymnastic as of yore, From rickets and distortion . Cowper , The Task, ii. (b) In math., any change of shape not involving a breach of continuity. But a mere alteration of size in the same ratio in all directions is not considered to be a distortion. (c) A twisting or writhing motion: as, the facial dist or tions of a sufferer. 2. The state of being twisted out of shape; a deviation from the natural or regular shape or position; an unnatural direction of parts, from whatever cause. More ordinary imperfections and distortions of the body in figure. Sir H. Wotton, Reliquiæ, p. 79. In some, Distortions quite the Face disguise. Congreve, tr. of Ovid's Art of Love. 3. A perversion of the true meaning or intent. These absurdities are all framed... by a childish dis tortion of my words. Bp. Wren, Monarchy A erted (1659), p. 147. distortive (dis-tôrʼtiv), a. [ distort + -ive .] 1. Tending to distort; causing distortions. Quarterly Rev.-2. Having distortions; distorted. IMG:content-2897.png:[blocks in formation] What both you and all the rest of you say about that matter is but the fruit of distracted brains. Bunyan, Pilgrim's Progre , p. 204. =Syn. 1. Abstracted, Diverted, etc. See absent. distractedly (dis-trak'ted-li), adv. In a distracted manner; as a distracted person. O'er hedge and ditch distractedly they take, And happiest he that greatest haste could make. Drayton, Battle of Agin court. distractedne (dis-trak'ted-nes), n. 1. The state of being distracted, hara ed, or perplexed in mind; a perplexed condition or state. Such experiments as the unfurnished ne of the place and the present distractedne of my mind will permit me. Boyle, Works, I. 41. 2. A disordered or deranged condition of the mind; madne . distracter (dis-trak'ter), n. One who or that which distracts. distractful distractfult (dis-trakt fül), a. [ Arise, kneel not to me, But thanke thy sisters, they apparell'd thee In that distractful shape. Heywood , Love's Mistre , sig. F, 9. distractible (dis-trak'ti-bl), a . [