distrait

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Klimt
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distrait

Postby Klimt » Thu Oct 21, 2010 2:46 pm

[dih-strey; Fr. dees-tRe]

inattentive because of distracting worries, fears, etc.; absent-minded.

While she and Arthur (who had arrived before me) supplied the children with tea and cake, I tried to engage the Earl in conversation: but he was restless and distrait, and we made little progress.
Whoever wants to know something about me - as an artist which alone is significant - they should look attentively at my pictures and there seek to recognise what I am and what I want.

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Slava
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Postby Slava » Thu Oct 21, 2010 6:52 pm

Good suggestion, Klimt. This one's a relative of distraught, but with a nicely different meaning. Sometimes hard to distinguish, but it's important, I do believe.
Life is like playing chess with chessmen who each have thoughts and feelings and motives of their own.

Klimt
Lexiterian
Posts: 112
Joined: Wed Jul 04, 2007 12:25 pm

Postby Klimt » Thu Oct 21, 2010 7:03 pm

Good point, Slava.

"distrait means 'absent-minded as a result of apprehension, worry, etc.' while distraught means 'agitated' and 'bewildered, distracted'"
Whoever wants to know something about me - as an artist which alone is significant - they should look attentively at my pictures and there seek to recognise what I am and what I want.

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Slava
Great Grand Panjandrum
Posts: 8040
Joined: Thu Sep 28, 2006 9:31 am
Location: Finger Lakes, NY

Postby Slava » Thu Oct 21, 2010 7:06 pm

And, the one that gets me most often; the second "t" in distrait is silent.
Life is like playing chess with chessmen who each have thoughts and feelings and motives of their own.


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