[dis.tant] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. L distant-, distans, prp. of distare to stand apart, be distant, fr. dis- + stare to stand--more at stand] (14c) 1 a: separated in space: away b: situated at a great distance: far-off c: separated by a great distance from each other: far apart d: far behind "finished a ~ third"
2: separated in a relationship other than spatial "a ~ cousin" "the ~ past"
3: different in kind
4: reserved or aloof in personal relationship: cold "was ~ and distracted"
5. a: going a long distance "~ voyages" b: concerned with remote things "~ thoughts" -- dis.tant.ly adv -- dis.tant.ness n