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. at 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 long- or 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) ]