different between distraction vs avocation

English

Etymology

Borrowed from Middle French distraction, from Latin distractio.

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /d?s?t?æk?(?)n/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /d?s?t?æk??n/, /d?-/
• Rhymes: -æk??n
• Hyphenation: dis?tract?ion

Noun

distraction (countable and uncountable, plural distractions)

1. Something that distracts.

2. The process of being distracted.

3. Perturbation; disorder; disturbance; confusion.
   • 1662, Thomas Salusbury, Galileo's dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems (Dialogue 2):

     It's true that the Copernican Systeme introduceth distraction in the universe of Aristotle.

4. Mental disorder; a deranged state of mind; insanity.
   • 1673, Richard Baxter, Christian Directory

     […] if he speak the words of an oath in a strange language, thinking they signify something else, or if he spake in his sleep, or deliration, or distraction, it is no oath, and so not obligatory.

5. (medicine, archaic) Traction so exerted as to separate surfaces normally opposed.

Derived terms

• distracter
• distractee

Translations

References

• John A. Simpson and Edward S. C. Weiner, editors (1989) , “distraction”, in The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd edition, Oxford: Clarendon Press, ?ISBN

Anagrams

• adstriction

French

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin distracti?, distracti?nem.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /dis.t?ak.sj??/

Noun

distraction f (plural distractions)

1. distraction
2. entertainment

Related terms

• distraire

Further reading

• “distraction” in Trésor de la langue française informatisé (The Digitized Treasury of the French Language).

English

Etymology

From Latin ?voc?ti? (“a distraction”), from ?voc? (“I call off, distract”).

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /av?(?)?ke???n/
• (US) IPA^(key): /ævo??ke???n/, /æv??ke???n/
• Hyphenation: av?o?ca?tion

Noun

avocation (countable and uncountable, plural avocations)

1. (obsolete) A calling away; a diversion.
   • 1749, Henry Fielding, Tom Jones, Folio Society 1973, p. 204:

     But though she could neither sleep nor rest in her bed, yet, having no avocation from it, she was found there by her father at his return from Allworthy's, which was not till past ten o'clock in the morning.

2. A hobby or recreational or leisure pursuit.
   • 1934, Robert Frost, Two Tramps in Mud Time

     But yield who will to their separation,

     My object in living is to unite

     My avocation and my vocation

     As my two eyes make one in sight.

   • 18 April, 1986, Ronald Reagan, Proclamation 5462

     Gardening is a wholesome avocation that encourages appreciation for nature and concern for the preservation and enhancement of our environment.

3. That which calls one away from one's regular employment or vocation.
4. Pursuits; duties; affairs which occupy one's time; usual employment; vocation.
   • November 1, 1711, William King, Letter to Jonathan Swift

     I have several things on the anvil, and near finished, that perhaps might be useful, if published: but the continual avocation by business, the impositions on me by impertinent visits, and the uneasiness of writing, which grows more intolerable to me every day, I doubt, will prevent my going any farther.

   • I have been received with unsurpassable politeness, delicacy, sweet temper, hospitality, consideration, and with unsurpassable respect for the privacy daily enforced upon me by the nature of my avocation here and the state of my health.

5. The calling of a case from an inferior to a superior court.

Synonyms

• (hobby): See also Thesaurus:hobby

Related terms

• avocational
• avocationally
• vocation

Translations

See also

• volunteerism