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adj. 1. a. Separate or apart in space. b. Far removed; remote: distant lands. 2. Coming from or going to a distance: a distant sound; a distant telephone call. 3. Far removed or apart in time: the distant past; distant events. 4. Far apart in relationship: a distant cousin. 5. Minimally similar: a distant likeness. 6. Far removed mentally: distant thoughts. 7. Aloof or chilly: a distant smile. [Middle English distaunt, from Old French, from Latin distāns, distant-, present participle of distāre, to be remote : dis-, apart; see DIS- + stāre, to stand; see stā- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] distant·ly adv. |
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