Word of the Day: DISTRAUGHT

Distracted or distressed

distraught (adj) - agitated, nervous, or saddened; incapacitated by distress [dih-strawt]

BREAKDOWN: DIS- (away) + TRACT- (draw or manage)

[distraught and distract have the same roots.]

• distract means to draw away or divert attention or thought

• distracted means inattentive, preoccupied, or unable to concentrate

See also: intractable

“I do not know whether anyone has ever succeeded in not enjoying praise. And, if he enjoys it, he naturally wants to receive it. And if he wants to receive it, he cannot help but being distraught at losing it. Those who are in love with applause have their spirits starved not only when they are blamed off-hand, but even when they fail to be constantly praised.” —John Chrysostom