dis-traction

noun

the state of being distracted.

mental distress or derangement: That child will drive me to distraction.

that which distracts, divides the attention, or prevents concentration: The distractions of the city interfere with my studies.

that which amuses, entertains, or diverts; amusement; entertainment: Fishing is his major distraction.

division or disorder caused by dissension; tumult.

Origin:
1425–75; late Middle English (< Anglo-French) < Latin distractiōn- (stem of distractiō) separation. See distract, -ion

Synonyms
3. madness, lunacy, insanity, craziness.

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Link To dis-traction

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Dis-traction is always a great word to know.

So is callithumpian. Does it mean:

a children's mummer's parade, as on the Fourth of July, with prizes for the best costumes.

the offspring of a zebra and a donkey.

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Collins

World English Dictionary

distraction (dɪˈstrækʃən)

—n
1.	the act or an instance of distracting or the state of being distracted
2.	something that serves as a diversion or entertainment
3.	an interruption; an obstacle to concentration
4.	mental turmoil or madness

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline

Word Origin & History

distraction

mid-15c., from L. distractionem, noun of action from distrahere (see distract). Meaning "mental disturbance" (in driven to distraction, etc.) is c.1600.

American Heritage

Medical Dictionary

distraction dis·trac·tion (dĭ-strāk'shən)
n.

A condition or state of mind in which the attention is diverted from an original focus or interest.
Separation of bony fragments or joint surfaces of a limb by extension.

Matching Quote

"Disagreement produces debate but dissent produces dissension. Dissent (which come from the Latin, dis and sentire) means originally to feel apart from others. People who disagree have an argument, but people who dissent have a quarrel. People may disagree and both may count themselves in the majority. But a person who dissents is by definition in a minority. A liberal society thrives on disagreement but is killed by dissension. Disagreement is the life blood of democracy, dissension is its cancer."

-Daniel J. Boorstin

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