■ noun
1》 the length of the space between two points: I cycled the short ~ home.
2》 the condition of being remote.
↘a far-off point.
3》 the full length of a race or other contest.
↘ Brit. Horse Racing a space of more than twenty lengths between two finishers in a race.
↘( the ~ ) Brit. Horse Racing a length of 240 yards from the winning post on a racecourse.
4》 an interval of time.
5》 aloofness or reserve.
■ verb make distant.
↘(often ~ oneself from ) dissociate or separate.
Phrases
go the ~ last or continue to participate until the scheduled end of a contest.
keep one's ~ stay far away.
↘maintain one's reserve.
Origin
ME (in the sense 'discord, debate'): from OFr. or from L. distantia , from distant- , distare (see distant ).