distantlyadv.
/ˈdɪst(ə)ntli/, U.S. /ˈdɪst(ə)ntli/ 1.
a. At a considerable distance in space or time; far away, far off.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > duration > [adverb] > at a distance in time
distantlya1500
the world > space > distance > distance or farness > [adverb] > at or to a distance
ferrenc888
farc900
longOE
afarc1300
yond13..
on length1340
alonga1382
adreigha1393
on dreicha1400
afar offc1400
far-aboutc1450
alengtha1500
distantlya1500
remote1589
remotely1609
yferrea1643
out of his (her, its, etc.) way1650
adistance1807
away1818
way1833
way1833
way off1836
way out1840
a1500 (a1450) Partonope of Blois (BL Add.) (1912) l. 474 The wylde bore and eke the bulle Haue there here haunte destawntly.
1675 tr. W. Camden Hist. Princess Elizabeth (rev. ed.) ii. 257 These Irish matters, though in time somewhat distantly acted, I have thought good to mention together.
1678 R. Cudworth tr. Porphyrius in True Intellect. Syst. Universe i. v. 776 The Corporeal World is Distantly present, to the Intelligible.
1797 A. Radcliffe Italian II. i. 9 Ellena followed distantly in the Abbess's train.
1850 W. Collins Antonina v. 88 A vivid flash of lightning..showed him..the figure he had already distantly beheld from the plain behind.
1881 H. L. Gordon Legends of Northwest 74 Like bridal bells distantly chiming.
1988 Sunday Tel. 3 Jan. 8/2 He has come in recent years to be seen as the country's True Prelate, challenged only by Cardinal Hume and leaving the Anglican bishops trailing distantly.
2011 Times 9 Sept. 7/4 Using shared-equity to buy a flat, however tiny and distantly located.
b. So as to be conspicuously separated or spread out, rather than situated close together. Usually in zoological or botanical descriptions, with reference to markings or other features. Cf. distant adj. 2a.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > distance > distance or farness > [adverb] > at or by a (great) distance apart
farc1400
widely1665
distantly1764
1764 J. Hill Veg. Syst. VI. 45 The two Seeds following the Flower are more distantly united, like two globes.
1847 J. Hardy in Hist. Berwickshire Naturalists' Club 2 No. v. 239 Head..distantly and deeply punctured.
1914 R. Ridgway Birds North & Middle Amer. (Bull. U.S. National Mus. No. 50) VI. 135 Primaries clear cinnamon-rufous rather distantly spotted with blackish, their distal portion uniform brownish dusky or sepia brown.
2002 Bryologist 105 532/2 Leaves arranged distantly along stem.
2.
a. Not closely, directly, or immediately. Typically with reference to kinship or acquaintance.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > relationship > [adverb] > intimately or closely > remotely or distantly
remotely1598
eminously1657
distantly1682
long distance1905
society > communication > information > hint or covert suggestion > [adverb] > not closely or intimately
distantly1760
society > society and the community > kinship or relationship > [adverb] > distantly
distantly1822
1682 R. Baxter Last Work of Believer 62 If any thing that I shall say were unknown to any Reader that knew her, let them know that it is because they knew her but distantly, imperfectly, or by reports.
1707 J. Oldfield Ess. Improvem. Reason iii. xvii. 324 He that truly serves the Publick, is really serving his Private Interest too, at least more distantly.
1760 L. Sterne Let. 30 Jan. in Lett. 1739–64 (2009) 115 I..then most distantly hint at a drole foible in his character.
1822 Ld. Byron Werner i. i. 194 Iden. Perhaps you are related to my relative..Jos. We are, but distantly.
1847 C. Brontë Jane Eyre I. xi. 185 I am distantly related to the Rochesters by the mother's side.
1919 R. Beach Too Fat to Fight ii. 36 Nor were any of the strident-voiced orators even distantly acquainted with him.
1967 Times 23 Feb. 1/6 The county solicitor has been asked to exhume the body of a man thought to be distantly connected with Jack Ruby.
2015 Wall St. Jrnl. 2 May c2/3 These ‘Denisovans’ are as distantly related to the Neanderthals as they are to us ‘Africans’.
b. With reference to memory or knowledge: not strongly, vaguely.
ΚΠ
?1790 B. Thornton in Elegant Extracts Prose (new ed.) 846/1 Indeed I did not know him at his first accosting me, as he approached slowly to me with a distantly familiar air, and a sliding bow forward.
1864 G. Meredith Emilia in Eng. III. iv. 85 Emilia grew distantly aware that the policeman and his wife talked of her.
1902 L. Scott tr. J. B. Supino Fra Angelico iv. 163 Here Benozzo has not even distantly remembered any of his master's noble representations of the Saviour.
1970 ‘R. Allen’ Skinhead xiii, in Compl. Richard Allen (1992) I. 89 Joe was distantly aware of the rape.
2018 Toronto Star (Nexis) 5 Oct. s1 This all may sound distantly familiar, if you read the better newspapers.
3. In a cool, remote, or emotionless way. Typically with reference to a look, gaze, etc., that suggests a lack of interest, engagement, or concern.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > bad behaviour > discourtesy > [adverb] > not affably
strangelyc1374
coldly1550
squeamishly1571
coolly1627
chilly1640
reservedly1710
repulsively1725
starchly1755
chillinglyc1784
distantly1798
uncordially1811
stiffly1823
frozenly1851
pokerishly1867
chillily1886
standoffishly1892
aloofly1963
1798 J. Baillie Tryal v. ii in Series Plays Stronger Passions I. 293 Do not look so distantly upon me, Harwood. You was willing to marry me as a poor woman; if there is any thing in my fortune which offends you, I scatter it to the winds.
1873 W. Black Princess of Thule xxvii. 454 Her eyes were looking somewhat distantly at the sea.
1994 B. A. Staples Parallel Time v. 59 Gerry stared distantly from behind his milky glasses.
2001 R. McBride Nature of Water & Air i. v. 38 Gazing distantly at the wall as if he were staring out the window.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2022).
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adv.a1500