I. ˈdist ə l adjective
Etymology: dist- + -al
1. : remote from the point of attachment or origin, from a point conceived of as central, or from the point of view: as
a. : located away from the center of the body
the distal end of a bone
— opposed to proximal
b. : located away from the mesial plane of the body — opposed to mesial
2. : physical or social rather than sensory — opposed to proximal
II. adjective
: of, relating to, or being the surface of a tooth that is most distant from the middle of the front of the jaw and is usually next to the tooth behind it — compare mesial herein proximal herein
• dis·tal·ly adverb