distant

Where does the word "distant" come from? It comes from Latin distare, and was adopted directly into English (1300s).

Distant’s story begins in Latin: distare meant “to stand apart.” To stand apart, from dis- (apart) and stare (to stand). It reached English by 1300s as distant. Settled as the English word for something far away in space or time. Today, distant means far away in space, time, or emotional connection.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient distare "to stand apart", to stand apart, from dis- (apart) and stare (to stand).
2. Stage 2 · English · 1300s distant "far away in space, time, or relationship", settled as the English word for something far away in space or time.