distracted
UK[dɪˈstræktɪd]US[dɪˈstræktɪd]
adj
unable to concentrate because one's mind is preoccupied
adj
having had one's attention diverted
Morpheme Breakdown
dis
tract
ed
dis
apart
tract
pull, draw
ed
adjective suffix
Etymology
the word 'distracted' originates from the latin verb 'distrahere', meaning 'to pull apart' or 'to draw in different directions'. this verb is composed of the prefix 'dis-' (apart) and the verb 'trahere' (to pull). in its journey into english via latin, the past participle 'distractus' evolved to describe a state of being mentally 'pulled apart'. the modern abstract meaning, describing a mind whose attention is drawn away from a focal point, retains this core logic of being forcibly separated from a state of concentration.
Analysis
Structure: dis (apart) + tract (pull, draw) + ed (adjective suffix)
dis- (latin prefix, meaning 'apart' or 'away'); tract (latin root, from 'tractus', meaning 'to pull' or 'to draw'); -ed (english suffix, forming participial adjectives)
Examples
she was too distracted by the noise outside to finish her book.
the distracted driver failed to notice the red light.
he gave a distracted reply, his thoughts clearly elsewhere.