A city . . . distracted from itself. --Fuller.
2. To draw (the sight, mind, or attention) in different
directions; to perplex; to confuse; as, to distract the
eye; to distract the attention.
Mixed metaphors . . . distract the imagination.
--Goldsmith.
3. To agitate by conflicting passions, or by a variety of
motives or of cares; to confound; to harass.
Horror and doubt distract His troubled thoughts.
--Milton.
4. To unsettle the reason of; to render insane; to craze; to
madden; -- most frequently used in the participle,
distracted.
A poor mad soul; . . . poverty hath distracted her.
--Shak.
2. Distracted; perplexed. ``Distraught twixt fear and pity.''
--Spenser.
As if thou wert distraught and mad with terror.
--Shak.
To doubt betwixt our senses and our souls Which are
the most distraught and full of pain. --Mrs.
Browning.