distance
/ˈdɪst(ə)n(t)s/ noun B1- An amount of space between points (often geographical points), usually (but not necessarily) measured along a straight line.
- Chiefly in by a distance: a space of more than 30 lengths (about 80 yards or 7.3 metres) between two racehorses finishing a race, used to describe the margin of victory; also (archaic), any space of 240 yards (about 219.5 metres) on a racecourse.
- Chiefly in from a distance: a place which is far away or remote; specifically (especially painting), a more remote part of a landscape or view as contrasted with the foreground.
- Chiefly with a modifying word: a measure between two points or quantities; a difference, a variance. · angular distance focal distance· The distance between the lowest and next gear on my bicycle is annoying.
- An interval or length of time between events.
- A separation in some way other than space or time. · The friendship did not survive the row: they kept each other at a distance.
- The amount of space between points (often geographical points), usually (but not necessarily) measured along a straight line. · The distance to Petersborough is thirty miles.· From Moscow, the distance is relatively short to Saint Petersburg, relatively long to Novosibirsk, but even greater to Vladivostok.
- The maximum amount of space between a boxer and their opponent within which the boxer can punch effectively.
Plural distances
From the library
Let what may remain of revolutionary sap exhaust itself and die away with the old trunk, and condescend only to regard the young shoot which has started up at a distance from the parent tree, without having the power, any more than the wish, to separate entirely from the stock from which it sprung.”
“I think I could jump over it,” said the Cowardly Lion, after measuring the distance carefully in his mind.
The flowers had been too strong for the huge beast and he had given up at last, and fallen only a short distance from the end of the poppy bed, where the sweet grass spread in beautiful green fields before them.
So he kept a good distance away from the flames, and only came near to cover Dorothy with dry leaves when she lay down to sleep.
Other matches
Learn distance in real texts
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