Distance /(?)/

Dis·tance

Distance

n.
  1. The space between two objects; the length of a line, especially the shortest line joining two points or things that are separate; measure of separation in place.
    Every particle attracts every other with a force . . . inversely proportioned to the square of the distance.
  2. Remoteness of place; a remote place.
    Easily managed from a distance.
    'T is distance lends enchantment to the view.
    — T. Campbell.
    [He] waits at distance till he hears from Cato.
  3. A space marked out in the last part of a race course. (Racing)
    The horse that ran the whole field out of distance.
  4. Relative space, between troops in ranks, measured from front to rear; -- contrasted with interval, which is measured from right to left. (Mil.)
  5. Space between two antagonists in fencing.
  6. The part of a picture which contains the representation of those objects which are the farthest away, esp. in a landscape. (Painting)
  7. Ideal disjunction; discrepancy; contrariety.
  8. Length or interval of time; period, past or future, between two eras or events.
    Ten years' distance between one and the other.
    The writings of Euclid at the distance of two thousand years.
    — Playfair.
  9. The remoteness or reserve which respect requires; hence, respect; ceremoniousness.
    I hope your modesty Will know what distance to the crown is due.
    'T is by respect and distance that authority is upheld.
  10. A withholding of intimacy; alienation; coldness; disagreement; variance; restraint; reserve.
    Setting them [factions] at distance, or at least distrust amongst themselves.
    On the part of Heaven, Now alienated, distance and distaste.
  11. Remoteness in succession or relation; as, the distance between a descendant and his ancestor.
  12. The interval between two notes; as, the distance of a fourth or seventh. (Mus.)
    If a man makes me keep my distance, the comfort is he keeps his at the same time.

Phrases & Compounds
Angular distance
the distance made at the eye by lines drawn from the eye to two objects.
Lunar distance
See under Lunar.
North polar distance
the distance on the heavens of a heavenly body from the north pole. It is the complement of the declination.
Zenith distance
the arc on the heavens from a heavenly body to the zenith of the observer. It is the complement of the altitude.
To keep one's distance
to stand aloof; to refrain from familiarity.

Distance

v. t.

imp. & p. p. Distanced; p. pr. & vb. n. Distancing

  1. To place at a distance or remotely.
    I heard nothing thereof at Oxford, being then miles distanced thence.
  2. To cause to appear as if at a distance; to make seem remote.
    His peculiar art of distancing an object to aggrandize his space.
    — H. Miller.
  3. To outstrip by as much as a distance (see Distance, n., 3); to leave far behind; to surpass greatly.
    He distanced the most skillful of his contemporaries.