Unable to concentrate because one's mind is preoccupied with something else.
From Latin 'distractus', past participle of 'distrahere' meaning 'to pull apart' (dis- 'apart' + trahere 'to draw'). The mental sense developed from the physical idea of being pulled in different directions.
In our digital age, being distracted has become almost a default state, with notifications and multitasking constantly 'pulling apart' our attention. The original Latin meaning of being literally pulled apart now feels metaphorically accurate for modern life.
Women labeled 'distracted' or 'scattered' more often than men for identical behavior; used to dismiss women's competence, focus, and credibility in professional contexts.
Apply consistently across genders. Note that interruption, caregiving burden, and multitasking (often female-coded) can appear as distraction but reflect systemic demands.
["focused","attentive","engaged"]
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