Sekirov Dictionary

distance

/ˈdɪst(ə)n(t)s/

noun 25
verb 13
forms 3
phrases 3

noun25

•
the space from one place or point to another, usually 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.
The maximum amount of space between a boxer and their opponent within which the boxer can punch effectively.
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.
The amount of space between soldiers or cavalry riders marching or standing in a rank; also, the amount of space between such ranks.
•
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
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.
•
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.
- Vievv'd from a distance, and vvith heedless eyes, / Folly and innocence are so alike, / The diff'rence, though essential, fails to strike. — 1782
•
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: […] — 1813
•
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. — 1711
•
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
•
(figurative) The 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. — 1609
(figurative) Excessive reserve or lack of friendliness shown by a person; aloofness, coldness.
•
(figurative) A separation in some way other than space or time.
- The friendship did not survive the row: they kept each other at a distance.
•
(figurative) The state of remoteness or separation in some way other than space or time.
- We’re narrowing the distance between the two versions of the bill.
Often in go the distance, last the distance, or stay the distance: the scheduled duration of a bout.
The complete length of a course over which a race is run.
•
(figurative) The entire amount of progress to an objective.
- He had promised to perform this task, but did not go the distance.
•
Chiefly with a modifying word: a measure between two points or quantities; a difference, a variance.
- The distance between the lowest and next gear on my bicycle is annoying.
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.
(no longer used) Synonym of length (“an extent measured along the longest dimension of an object”).
(figurative, no longer used) A disagreement, a dispute; also, an estrangement.
•
(figurative, no longer used) The state of disagreement or dispute between people; dissension.
- 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; […] — 1667
•
(figurative, no longer used) Often 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. — 1665
•
(no longer used) A difference in pitch between sounds; an interval.
- [N]other perceaueth the concordaunt and discordante distaunces of soundes, and tunes […] — 1551
•
(figurative, no longer used) The 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, […] — 1631

verb13

•
Often followed by from: to set (someone or something) at a distance from someone or something else.
- 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. — 1662
(figurative) To keep (someone) emotionally or socially apart from another person or people.
•
[with oneself] (figurative) To 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.
[with oneself] (figurative) To keep oneself emotionally or socially apart from another person or people; to keep one's distance.
[with oneself] To set oneself at a distance from someone or something else; to move away from someone or something.
•
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. — 1851
(figurative) To exceed or surpass (someone, such as a peer or rival); to outdo, to outstrip.
To cause (a place, a thing, etc.) to seem distant, or (figurative) unfamiliar.
(US, no longer used) Of 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.
•
(no longer used) To 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. — 1873
(no longer used) To set (two or more things) at regular distances from each other; to space, to space out.
•
(no longer used) To 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. — 1642
(no longer used) To indicate or measure the distance to (a place).

forms

distanced · distancing · distances

Phrases with distance

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