Noah Webster's New International Dictionary of the English Language

1. (n.) The act of distracting; a drawing apart; separation.

2. (n.) That which diverts attention; a diversion.

3. (n.) A diversity of direction; detachment.

4. (n.) State in which the attention is called in different ways; confusion; perplexity.

5. (n.) Confusion of affairs; tumult; disorder; as, political distractions.

6. (n.) Agitation from violent emotions; perturbation of mind; despair.

7. (n.) Derangement of the mind; madness.