ˈdɪstəns n. & v. --n. 1
the condition of
being far off; remoteness. 2 a a
space or
interval between two things. b the
length of
this (a distance of
twenty miles). 3 a
distant point or
place (came
from a distance). 4 the avoidance of
familiarity; aloofness;
reserve (there
was a
certain distance between them). 5 a remoter
field of
vision (saw
him in the distance). 6 an interval of
time (can't
remember what happened at this distance). 7 a the full length of a race etc. b
Brit. Racing a length of 240 yards from the winning-post on a
racecourse. c
Boxing the scheduled length of a
fight. --v.tr. (often refl.) 1 place far off (distanced
herself from
them; distanced the
painful memory). 2 leave far
behind in a race or
competition. øat a distance far off. distance-post Racing a post at the distance on a racecourse, used to
disqualify runners
who have not reached it by the
end of the race. distance
runner an
athlete who competes in longor middle-distance races. go the distance 1 Boxing
complete a fight
without being knocked
out. 2 complete,
esp. a
hard task;
endure an
ordeal.
keep one's distance
maintain one's reserve.
middle distance the
part of a
landscape or
painting between the
foreground and the
furthest part.
within hailing (or walking) distance
near enough to
reach by hailing or
walking. [ME f. OF distance, destance f. L distantia f. distare
stand apart (as
DI-(2),
stare stand)]
