distance

Meanings

Noun

• The amount of space between two points, usually geographical points, usually (but not necessarily) measured along a straight line.
• Length or interval of time.
• The difference; the subjective measure between two quantities.
• Remoteness of place; a remote place.
• Remoteness in succession or relation.
• A space marked out in the last part of a racecourse.
• The entire amount of progress to an objective.
• A withholding of intimacy; alienation; variance.
• The remoteness or reserve which respect requires; hence, respect; ceremoniousness.
• 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 the final heat.

Verb

• To move away (from) someone or something.
• To leave at a distance; to outpace, leave behind.

Related

Similar words

• farness

Origin

• From Middle English distance, distaunce, destaunce, from Old French destance, from Latin distantia, from distāns, present participle of distō, from di-, dis- + stō. Compare Dutch afstand, German Abstand.