— distantly , adv. — distantness , n.
/dis"teuhnt/ , adj.
1. far off or apart in space; not near at hand; remote or removed (often fol. by from ): a distant place; a town three miles distant from here.
2. apart or far off in time: distant centuries past.
3. remote or far apart in any respect: a distant relative.
4. reserved or aloof; not familiar or cordial: a distant greeting.
5. arriving from or going to a distance, as a communication, journey, etc.: I have here a distant letter from Japan.
[ 1350-1400; ME dista ( u ) nt ( distant- (s. of distans, prp. of distare to stand apart), equiv. to di- DI- 2 + sta- STAND + -nt- prp. suffix ]
Syn. 4. cool, withdrawn.