Distrait

/dɪˈstreɪ/ adjective

Definition

Absent-minded or not paying attention because your thoughts are somewhere else.

Etymology

From French 'distrait,' past participle of 'distraire' (to distract). The word comes from Latin 'distrahere' (dis- + trahere, to pull or draw apart), literally meaning to pull in different directions. It entered English in the 18th century as a borrowed French term.

Kelly Says

The French word perfectly captures that feeling of being mentally divided—literally your thoughts are being pulled in different directions. It's particularly interesting that we borrowed this word because English speakers found it elegant enough to adopt rather than inventing our own version.

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