distance in English
- distance⇄distance, noun, verb, -tanced,-tancing.
- distance⇄expr. at a distance, a long way.
Ex. The farm is at a distance from the road. - distance⇄expr. go the distance, (Sports.)
a. to play an entire game without substitution.
Ex. Jack Shanafelt and Jack Cannon also went the whole distance for Pennsylvania (New York Times).
b. to fight or last an entire match without being knoc - distance⇄expr. keep at a distance, to refuse to be friendly or familiar with; treat coldly.
Ex. The captain kept his crew at a distance. - distance⇄expr. keep one's distance, to be not too friendly or familiar.
Ex. The shy boy kept his distance and did not mingle with his new classmates. But for my children, I would have them keep their distance from the thickening center (Robinson Jeffers). - distance⇄focal length ordistance
1. the distance from the optical center of a lens or mirror to the principal point of focus.
Ex. The simple astronomical telescope, which is the basis of modern refracting telescopes, contains two double convex lenses a - distance⇄noun 1. space in between.
Ex. The distance from the farm to town is 5 miles.
2. the condition of being far away.
Ex. Because of the lake's distance, we will have to stop overnight on the way.
3. a place far away.
Ex. The s - distance⇄v.t. 1. to leave far behind; do much better than.
Ex. He distanced all the other runners in the mile race.
2. to beat by a distance.
Ex. The big black horse distanced the others.
3. (Figurative.) to leave behind at a distance, a
distance in Kashmiri कॉशुर
distance in Sindhi سنڌي
Distance
Part of Speech
Noun, Verb
Pronunciation
/ˈdɪstəns/
Definitions
- 1. Noun: The amount of space between two things or people.
- 2. Noun: The extent or amount of separation between two points in space or time.
- 3. Noun: A measurement of how far apart two objects are.
- 4. Verb: To keep a certain distance from someone or something.
Usage Examples
- The distance from my house to the office is 10 miles.
- She maintained a comfortable distance from the speaker.
- The distance between the two cities is quite vast.
- They decided to distance themselves from the controversial issue.
Etymology
From Latin *distinctia*, meaning "a separating," from *distare* "to stand apart," from *dis-* meaning "apart" and *stare* meaning "to stand." The word "distance" has been used in English since the 14th century.
Synonyms
- Interval
- Space
- Range
- Span
- Length
Antonyms
- Proximity
- Closeness
- Nearness
Translations
| Language | Translation | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| French | Distance | /dis.tɑ̃s/ |
| Spanish | Distancia | /disˈtanθja/ |
| German | Abstand | /ˈapˌʃtant/ |
| Hindi | दूरी (Duri) | /duːɾiː/ |
| Chinese (Mandarin) | 距离 (Jùlí) | /tʂu˥˩li˧˥/ |
| Russian | Расстояние (Rasstoyanie) | /rəsˈtojənʲɪje/ |
Regional Pronunciation Variations
- American English: /ˈdɪstəns/
- British English: /ˈdɪstəns/
- Australian English: /ˈdɪstəns/
Historical Usage
The term "distance" has been a part of the English language since the 14th century, stemming from Old French *distance* and Latin *distinctia*. Initially, it was used to describe the act of standing apart or separating. Over time, the word came to encompass a broader range of meanings, including physical space, temporal separation, and figurative distance in relationships or attitudes.
Cultural Nuances
In different cultures, the concept of distance can have various symbolic meanings. In some societies, maintaining physical distance can indicate respect or formality, while in others, closeness is seen as a sign of warmth and camaraderie. Distance can also be a metaphorical term in many social contexts, referring to emotional separation, social differences, or hierarchical positions. The cultural interpretation of "distance" is often reflected in everyday interactions and communication styles.
More Information
The word "distance" is used in a wide variety of contexts, from everyday language to technical disciplines. In science, particularly physics, distance refers to the spatial separation between two points. In mathematics, distance can represent the length of the shortest path between two points. In relationships, distance can refer to the emotional or physical separation between individuals. Understanding the various nuances of the word is important for its proper usage in different contexts.