distance

noun

1. 1

   An amount of space between points (often geographical points), usually (but not necessarily) measured along a straight line.

   [S]he […] gaue vs into our boate our ſupper halfe dreſſed, pots, and all, and brought vs to our boates ſide, in which wee laye all night, remoouing the ſame a pretie diſtance from the ſhoare: […]

   The prince is here at hand, pleaſeth your Lordſhip / To meet his grace iuſt diſtance tvveene our armies.

   The third of Aprill, early in the morning, vvee had ſight of the Holy Port [Porto Santo], belonging to the Spaniard, vvhich Ile at eight leagues diſtance, gaue it ſelfe in this ſhape vnto vs.

   Novv by this time the Man vvas got a good diſtance from them; But hovvever they vvere reſolved to purſue him; vvhich they did and in little time they over-took him

2. 2

   An amount of space between points (often geographical points), usually (but not necessarily) measured along a straight line. Chiefly in by a distance: a space of more than 30 lengths (about 80 yards or 7.3 metres) between two racehorses finishing a race, used to describe the margin of victory; also (archaic), any space of 240 yards (about 219.5 metres) on a racecourse.

3. 3

   Chiefly in from a distance: a place which is far away or remote; specifically (especially painting), a more remote part of a landscape or view as contrasted with the foreground.

   VVhen from a Diſtance (I ſpeak vvith the Vulgar) vve behold great Objects, the Particles of the intermediate Air and Vapours, vvhich are themſelves unperceivable, do interrupt the Rays of Light, and thereby render the Appearance leſs Strong and Vivid; […]

   Vievv'd from a diſtance, and vvith heedleſs eyes, / Folly and innocence are ſo alike, / The diff'rence, though eſſential, fails to ſtrike.

   As he was about to descend, he heard a voice from a distance, hallooing, "Rip Van Winkle! Rip Van Winkle!"

   The rocks of St. Paul appear from a distance of a brilliantly white colour. This is partly owing to the dung of a vast multitude of seafowl, and partly to a coating of a glossy white substance, which is intimately united to the surface of the rocks.

4. 4

   Chiefly with a modifying word: a measure between two points or quantities; a difference, a variance.

   angular distance focal distance

   The distance between the lowest and next gear on my bicycle is annoying.

   By the time I encountered them, Connie's friend […] was quite elderly (Connie was the younger by a considerable distance)

5. 5

   An interval or length of time between events.

   VVe cannot tell, at this diſtance of time, vvhich Converſation vvas firſt, that vvith Phalaris, or that vvith Leon.

   I Muſt help my Preface by a Poſtſcript, to tell the Reader, that there is Ten Years Diſtance betvveen my vvriting the One and the Other; and that (vvhatever I thought then, and have ſomevvhere ſaid, that I vvould publiſh no more Poetry) He vvill find ſeveral Copies of Verſes ſcattered through this Edition, vvhich vvere not printed in the Firſt.

   You vvill take this draught, three times a-day, at tvvo hours' diſtance, firſt ſhaking it vvell.

   IT is a remarkable fact in the hiſtory of ſcience, that the oldeſt book of Elementary Geometry is ſtill conſidered as the beſt, and that the vvritings of Euclid, at the diſtance of tvvo thouſand years, continue to form the moſt approved introduction to the mathematical ſciences.

6. 6

   figurativeA separation in some way other than space or time.

   The friendship did not survive the row: they kept each other at a distance.

   He ſhall in ſtrangeſt, ſtand no farther off, / Then in a politique diſtance.

7. 7

   obsoleteSynonym of length (“an extent measured along the longest dimension of an object”).

8. 8

   figurativeA disagreement, a dispute; also, an estrangement.

9. 9

   obsoleteA difference in pitch between sounds; an interval.

   [N]other perceaueth the concordaunt and diſcordante diſtaunces of ſoundes, and tunes […]

10. 10

    The amount of space between points (often geographical points), usually (but not necessarily) measured along a straight line.

    The distance to Petersborough is thirty miles.

    From Moscow, the distance is relatively short to Saint Petersburg, relatively long to Novosibirsk, but even greater to Vladivostok.

11. 11

    The amount of space between points (often geographical points), usually (but not necessarily) measured along a straight line. The maximum amount of space between a boxer and their opponent within which the boxer can punch effectively.

12. 12

    The amount of space between points (often geographical points), usually (but not necessarily) measured along a straight line. Often in go the distance, last the distance, or stay the distance: the scheduled duration of a bout.

13. 13

    The amount of space between points (often geographical points), usually (but not necessarily) measured along a straight line. The amount of space between a fencer and their opponent, which the fencer tries to control in order to gain an advantage over the opponent.

    [William] Page. I haue heard the French-man hath good skill in his Rapier. / [Robert] Shal[low]. Tut ſir: I could haue told you more: In theſe times you ſtand on diſtance: your Paſſes, Stoccado's, and I knovv not vvhat: […]

14. 14

    The amount of space between points (often geographical points), usually (but not necessarily) measured along a straight line. Originally, the space measured back from the winning post which a racehorse running in a heat must reach when the winner has covered the whole course, in order to run in a subsequent heat; also, the point on the racecourse that space away from the winning post; now, the point on a racecourse 240 yards from the winning post.

    THere vvere a Great many Brave, Sightly Horſes vvith Rich Trappings that vvere brought out One day to the Courſe, and Only One Plain Nag in the Company that made ſport for All the reſt. But vvhen they came at laſt to the Tryal, This vvas the Horſe that ran the VVhole Field out of Diſtance, and VVon the Race. / The MORAL. Our Senſes are No Competent Judges of the Excellencies of the Mind.

15. 15

    The amount of space between points (often geographical points), usually (but not necessarily) measured along a straight line. The amount of space between soldiers or cavalry riders marching or standing in a rank; also, the amount of space between such ranks.

16. 16

    The amount of space between points (often geographical points), usually (but not necessarily) measured along a straight line. The complete length of a course over which a race is run.

17. 17

    Chiefly preceded by the, especially in into or in the distance: the place that is far away or remote.

    There was a little light / That twinkled in the misty distance: […]

    They walked along the road; Scrooge recognising every gate, and post, and tree; until a little market-town appeared in the distance, with its bridge, its church, and winding river.

    [W]e hear / A trumpet in the distance pealing news / Of better, and Hope, […]

18. 18

    The state of being separated from something else, especially by a long way; the state of being far off or remote; farness, remoteness.

    Some Figures monſtrous and miſ-ſhap'd appear, / Conſider'd ſingly, or beheld too near, / VVhich, but proportion'd to their Light, or Place, / Due Diſtance reconciles to Form and Grace.

    [Julius] Cæſar is ſtill diſpoſed to give us Terms, / And vvaits at Diſtance 'till he hears from Cato.

    VVhy do thoſe cliffs of ſhadovvy tint appear / More ſvveet than all the landſcape ſmiling near?— / 'Tis Diſtance lends enchantment to the vievv, / And robes the mountain in its azure hue.

    Afar the Contadino's song is heard, / Rude, but made sweet by distance;—[…]

19. 19

    figurativeThe entire amount of progress to an objective.

    He had promised to perform this task, but did not go the distance.

20. 20

    figurativeThe state of remoteness or separation in some way other than space or time.

    the distance between a descendant and their ancestor

    We’re narrowing the distance between the two versions of the bill.

21. 21

    figurativeThe state of people not being close, friendly, or intimate with each other; also, the state of people who were once close, friendly, or intimate with each other no longer being so; estrangement.

    For ſhe vvas ſought by ſpirits of ritcheſt cote, / But kept cold diſtance, and did thence remoue, / To ſpend her liuing in eternall loue.

    [F]oul diſtruſt, and breach / Diſloyal on the part of Man, revolt, / And diſobedience: On the part of Heav'n / Novv alienated, diſtance and diſtaſte, / Anger and juſt rebuke, and judgement giv'n, […]

    In former days every tavern of repute kept such a room for its own select circle—a club, or society, of habitués, who met every evening for a pipe and a cheerful glass. […] Strangers might enter the room, but they were made to feel that they were there on sufferance; they were received with distance and suspicion.

22. 22

    figurativeExcessive reserve or lack of friendliness shown by a person; aloofness, coldness.

23. 23

    figurativeThe rank to which an important person belongs.

    [T]o your eye, / Theſe (Madame) that vvithout your diſtance lie, / Muſt either miſt, or nothing ſeeme to be, […]

    I am not ſatisfied in vvhat diſtance properly to place theſe perſons. Some, perchance, vvill account it too high, to rank them amongſt Martyrs; and ſurely, I conceive it too lovv, to eſteem them but bare Confeſſours.

24. 24

    figurativeThe state of disagreement or dispute between people; dissension.

    Macb[eth]. Both of you knovv Banquo vvas your Enemie. / Murth[erer]. True, my Lord. / Macb. So is he mine: and in ſuch bloody diſtance, / That euery minute of his being, thruſts / Againſt my neer'ſt of Life: […]

    Generally, the Diuiding and Breaking of all Factions, and Combinations that are aduerſe to the State, and ſetting them at diſtance, or at leaſt diſtruſt amongſt themſelues, is not one of the vvorſt Remedies.

    He tells me, among other things, that this business of the Chancellor do breed a kind of inward distance between the King and the Duke of York, and that it cannot be avoided; […]

    [T]he true Reaſon vvhy I did not mention her before, vvas, that I apprehended there vvas ſome little Diſtance betvveen them, vvhich I hoped to have the Happineſs of accommodating.

25. 25

    figurativeOften followed by to or towards: an attitude of remoteness or reserve which respect requires; hence, ceremoniousness.

    [T]hough you ſee / The King is kind, I hope your modeſty / VVill knovv, vvhat diſtance to the Crovvn is due.

    I vvill not ſift into them too minutely; for I'll obſerve the reſpect and diſtance that's due to him from his Scholar: […]

    Slipſlop, vvho had preſerved hitherto a Diſtance to her Lady, […] anſvvered her Miſtreſs very pertly, […]

    It is not to be thought that, however strange and uncommon I might think her liberal and unreserved communications, a young man of two-and-twenty was likely to be severely critical on a beautiful girl of eighteen, for not observing a proper distance towards him; […]

verb

1. 1

   Often followed by from: to set (someone or something) at a distance (noun sense 1.1) from someone or something else.

   If therefore the Interpoſition of Gloceſterſhire diſtanceth VVorceſterſhire from confining on the VVeſt-Saxons, the Animadvertor ought to have vented his diſpleaſure not on Me, but on Bede, and [Henry of] Huntington, vvhoſe vvords I exactly tranſlated.

   The faireſt [oxen] in England are bred (or if you vvill, made) in this County, vvith goodly heads, the Tips of vvhoſe horns are ſometimes diſtanced five foot aſunder.

   It [an insight] distances those who share it, from those who share it not.

2. 2

   To cause (a place, a thing, etc.) to seem distant, or (figurative) unfamiliar.

   That vvhich gives the Relievo to a Bovvl, (may ſome ſay to me) is the quick Light, or the vvhite, vvhich appears to be on the ſide, vvhich is neareſt to us, and the black by conſequence diſtances the Object: […]

   Below you, where the valley widens greenly toward other mountains, which the ripe Italian air distances with a bloom like that on unplucked grapes, are more arches, ossified arteries of what was once the heart of the world.

3. 3

   To leave behind (someone or something moving in the same direction; specifically, other competitors in a race) some distance away; to outpace, to outstrip.

   Our fleeter steeds have distanced our attendants; / They lag behind us with a slower pace; / We will await them under the green pendants / Of the great willows in this shady place.

   He heard only here and there the ecstatic burst of a mocking-bird's wonderful roulades. Then the horse, with muscles as strong as steel, distanced the sound.

4. 4

   figurativeTo keep (someone) emotionally or socially apart from another person or people.

5. 5

   figurativeTo exceed or surpass (someone, such as a peer or rival); to outdo, to outstrip.

6. 6

   figurativeTo keep (oneself) away from someone or something, especially because one does not want to be associated with that person or thing.

   He distanced himself from the comments made by some of his colleagues.

   [S]ince the Church hath, and ought to have a Government, it muſt not only be inoffenſive, but moſt proper, to call it an Hierarchy, or holy Government; […] Beſides, [John] Calvin admitting of ſacrum regimen [holy government], over nicely diſtanceth himſelf from thoſe vvho call it Hierarchy, for he ſaith the ſame in Latin, vvhich they do in Greek; […]

   [H]e'd built his life around an independence he'd cultivated as far back as he could remember. Distancing himself from his own family and the heavy legacy of his birth. Distancing himself from painful memories. Distancing himself from emotional entanglements or investment, which could only lead to unbearable heartbreak.

   But Gisby distances himself from calling TPE an inter-city operator.

7. 7

   archaicOf a racehorse: to beat (another horse) by a certain distance; also (passive voice), to cause (a horse) to be disqualified by beating it by a certain distance.

   [H]e is of Opinion it is inhuman, that Animals ſhould be put upon their utmoſt Strength and Metal for our Diverſion only. Hovvever, not to be particular, he puts in for the Queen's Plate every Year, vvith Orders to his Rider never to vvin or be diſtanced; […]

8. 8

   obsoleteTo cover the entire distance to (something).

   The ſunne and all the ſtarres that do appear / She [Psyche] feels them in herſelf, can diſtance all, / For ſhe is at each one purely preſentiall.

9. 9

   obsoleteTo depart from (a place); to leave (a place) behind.

   [W]e heard the joyous voices sound louder and freer as they distanced the solemn precincts, scattering frolic and music through the town as they separated to their different homes.

10. 10

    obsoleteTo indicate or measure the distance to (a place).

    THe Hebrevvs diſtanced their places by ſeverall meaſures, ſome arbitrary, caſuall, and uncertain; others certain, as reduced to a conſtant ſtandard. Of the former vvas their meaſuring of land by paces, for vve read, vvhen David ſolemnly brought the Ark into Jeruſalem, vvhen he had gone ſix paces he offered oxen and fatlings.

11. 11

    obsoleteTo set (two or more things) at regular distances from each other; to space, to space out.

    In the deſign of a Colonnade, or ſingle Columns, the Inter-columns are tvvo diameters, as in the Portico of St. Maria Rotunda at Rome; and this manner of diſtancing the Columns is, by Vitruvius, call'd Syſtylos.

12. 12

    Often followed by from. To set oneself at a distance from someone or something else; to move away from someone or something.

13. 13

    figurativeOften followed by from. To keep oneself emotionally or socially apart from another person or people; to keep one's distance.

    When a family member goes outside of the family to deal with a problem, he or she distances from the family. The family therapist offers the family the opportunity to deal with problems in a way that will allow them to deepen their connections with each other. The therapist will not be able to accomplish this goal if various family members go outside the family to resolve their problems.

Forms

plural

distances

past tense

distanced

past participle

distanced

present participle

distancing

third person singular

distances