distaunce

Noun

distance (countable and uncountable, plural distances)

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: […]1584, Arthur Barlowe, “The First Voyage Made to the Coastes of America, with Two Barkes, wherein were Captaines Master Philip Amadas, and Master Arthur Barlowe, who Discouered Part of the Countrey...

   Synonyms:

   spread

   1. 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.
2. 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; […]1709, George Berkeley, “[Section] LXXII. Objection Answer’d.”, in An Essay towards a New Theory of Vision, Dublin: […] Aaron Rhames, […], for Jeremy [i.e., Jeremiah] Pepyat, […], →OCLC, page 79
3. Chiefly with a modifying word: a measure between two points or quantities; a difference, a variance.
   • angular distance focal distance
4. 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.1697, Richard Bentley, “Of Phalaris’s Epistles”, in A Dissertation upon the Epistles of Phalaris, Themistocles, Socrates, Euripides, and Others; and the Fables of Æsop, London: […] J. Leake, for...
5. (figuratively) A separation in some way other than space or time.
   • The friendship did not survive the row: they kept each other at a distance.

See all 38 meanings of distance