adj.
Pronunciation: ' dis-t ə nt
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin distant-, distans, present participle of distare to stand apart, be distant, from dis- + stare to stand ― more at STAND
Date: 14th century
1 a : separated in space : AWAY <a mile distant > b : situated at a great distance : FAR-OFF <a distant galaxy> c : separated by a great distance from each other : far apart d : far behind <finished a distant third>
2 : separated in a relationship other than spatial <a distant cousin> <the distant past>
3 : different in kind <from two very distant backgrounds>
4 : reserved or aloof in personal relationship : COLD <was distant and distracted>
5 a : going a long distance < distant voyages> b : concerned with remote things < distant thoughts>
– dis · tant · ly adverb
– dis · tant · ness noun