distance

An amount of space between points (often geographical points), usually (but not necessarily) measured along a straight line.

[S]he […] gaue vs into our boate our ſupper halfe dreſſed, pots, and all, and brought vs to our boates ſide, in which wee laye all night, remoouing the ſame a pretie diſtance from the ſhoare: […]

The prince is here at hand, pleaſeth your Lordſhip / To meet his grace iuſt diſtance tvveene our armies.

An amount of space between points (often geographical points), usually (but not necessarily) measured along a straight line.

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.

VVhen from a Diſtance (I ſpeak vvith the Vulgar) vve behold great Objects, the Particles of the intermediate Air and Vapours, vvhich are themſelves unperceivable, do interrupt the Rays of Light, and thereby render the Appearance leſs Strong and Vivid; […]

Vievv'd from a diſtance, and vvith heedleſs eyes, / Folly and innocence are ſo alike, / The diff'rence, though eſſential, fails to ſtrike.

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.

VVe cannot tell, at this diſtance of time, vvhich Converſation vvas firſt, that vvith Phalaris, or that vvith Leon.

I Muſt help my Preface by a Poſtſcript, to tell the Reader, that there is Ten Years Diſtance betvveen my vvriting the One and the Other; and that (vvhatever I thought then, and have ſomevvhere ſaid, that I vvould publiſh no more Poetry) He vvill find ſeveral Copies of Verſes ſcattered through this Edition, vvhich vvere not printed in the Firſt.

Often followed by from: to set (someone or something) at a distance (noun noun sense 1.1) from someone or something else.

If therefore the Interpoſition of Gloceſterſhire diſtanceth VVorceſterſhire from confining on the VVeſt-Saxons, the Animadvertor ought to have vented his diſpleaſure not on Me, but on Bede, and [Henry of] Huntington, vvhoſe vvords I exactly tranſlated.

The faireſt [oxen] in England are bred (or if you vvill, made) in this County, vvith goodly heads, the Tips of vvhoſe horns are ſometimes diſtanced five foot aſunder.

To cause (a place, a thing, etc.) to seem distant, or (figurative) unfamiliar.

That vvhich gives the Relievo to a Bovvl, (may ſome ſay to me) is the quick Light, or the vvhite, vvhich appears to be on the ſide, vvhich is neareſt to us, and the black by conſequence diſtances the Object: […]

Below you, where the valley widens greenly toward other mountains, which the ripe Italian air distances with a bloom like that on unplucked grapes, are more arches, ossified arteries of what was once the heart of the world.

To leave behind (someone or something moving in the same direction; specifically, other competitors in a race) some distance away; to outpace, to outstrip.

Our fleeter steeds have distanced our attendants; / They lag behind us with a slower pace; / We will await them under the green pendants / Of the great willows in this shady place.

He heard only here and there the ecstatic burst of a mocking-bird's wonderful roulades. Then the horse, with muscles as strong as steel, distanced the sound.

To keep (someone) emotionally or socially apart from another person or people.

To exceed or surpass (someone, such as a peer or rival); to outdo, to outstrip.