noun

1. the fact or condition of being separated or removed in space or time; remoteness
2. a gap, space, or interval between two points, lines, objects, etc.
3. an interval between two points in time
4. the length of a line between two points the distance between Paris and Rome
5. a remoteness in relationship; dissimilarity; disparity the distance between wealth and poverty
6. a remoteness in behavior; coolness of manner; reserve
7. a remote point in space away in the distance
8. a faraway point of time at this distance we cannot know Neanderthal man
9. Painting the depicting of distance, as in a landscape
10. Horse Racing a space that is a certain distance back from the finish line: in order to be qualified for future heats, a horse must have reached this space by the time the winner has completed the course

Etymology: ME distaunce < OFr distance < L distantia < distans, prp. of distare, to stand apart < dis-, apart + stare, stand

transitive verb distanced -·tanced, distancing -·tanc·ing

1. to place or hold at some distance
2. 1. to place (oneself) at an emotional distance from something
   2. to cause to be at a mental or emotional distance from an audience, reader, etc.
3. to do better or more than; leave behind; outdo; outdistance