I. rə̇ˈmōt, rēˈ-, usu -ōd.+V adjective
( often -er/-est )
Etymology: Latin remotus, from past participle of removēre to move back, move away — more at remove
1.
a. : separated by intervals greater than usual : far apart
b. : not extending the full distance from the margin of the pileus to the stipe
a mushroom with a remote veil
2. : far removed in space, time, relation, or likeness : not near or immediate : far , distant
the church was too remote for a walking bridal party — Thomas Hardy
from remote antiquity up to modern times — S.F.Mason
work to which remote generations may look back with pride — Benjamin Farrington
fourth cousins and remoter relatives
: divergent
nations as remote in culture and civilization as Poland and China, … Czechoslovakia and Morocco — H.A.Rusk
fantastically unreal and utterly remote from the slightest vestige of truth — John Russell b.1872
: separated , abstracted
the ideas of an ether, of waves in it … are remote from ordinary experience — A.N.Whitehead
3. : located out of the way : secluded
the Coast Guard Service renders invaluable aid to natives living along the remote seacoast — G.A.Parks
the remote atmosphere of these retired wold villages — British Book News
4.
a. : not proximate or acting directly : not primary
b. : not arising from the effect of that which is primary or proximate in its action
remote damages
— compare consequential
5. : small in degree : slight
if one solves the economic difficulties, the danger of war becomes remote — F.D.Smith & Barbara Wilcox
hasn't the remotest notion what time it is
6. : distant in manner : aloof , inaccessible
they can be cold or warm, remote or friendly — John Mason Brown
7.
a. : arising elsewhere than from the part of the body that makes a movement — opposed to resident
b. : not present to the senses at the moment
II. noun
( -s )
1. : one that is remote
2. : a radio or television program or portion of a program (as sports and news events) originating outside the studio
III. adverb
( often -er/-est )
: at a distance
IV. adjective
: acting, acted on, or controlled indirectly or from a distance
time-sharing and other remote computing services — GT&E Annual Report
also : relating to the acquisition of information about a distant object (as by radar or photography) without coming into physical contact with it
remote sensing instruments