Word Direct Answers

What does "far" mean?

Far: Distant in any direction; not near; remote; mutually separated by a wide space or extent. They said, . . . We be come from a far country. Josh. ix.

Additional senses

  1. 2.The nations far and near contend in choice. Dryden.
  2. 3.Remote from purpose; contrary to design or wishes; as, far be it from me to justify cruelty.
  3. 4.Remote in affection or obedience; at a distance, morally or spiritually; t enmity with; alienated. They that are far from thee ahsll perish. Ps. lxxiii.
  4. 5.4. Widely different in nature or quality; opposite in character. He was far from ill looking, though he thought himself still farther. F. Anstey.
  5. 6.The more distant of two; as, the far side (called also off side) of a horse, that is, the right side, or the one opposite to the rider when he mounts. Note: The distinction between the adjectival and adverbial use of far is sometimes not easily discriminated. By far, by much; by a great difference. -- Far between, with a long distance (of space or time) between; at long intervals. "The examinations are few and far between." Farrar.
  6. 7.To a great extent or distance of space; widely; as, we are separated far from each other.
  7. 8.To a great distance in time from any point; remotely; as, he pushed his researches far into antiquity.
  8. 9.In great part; as, the day is far spent.
  9. 10.In a great proportion; by many degrees; very much; deeply; greatly. Who can find a virtuous woman for her price is far above rubies. Prov. xxxi.
  10. 11.As far as, to the extent, or degree, that. See As far as, under As. -- Far off. (a) At a great distance, absolutely or relatively. (b) Distant in sympathy or affection; alienated. "But now, in Christ Jesus, ye who some time were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ." Eph. ii.
  11. 12.-- Far other, different by a great degree; not the same; quite unlike. Pope. -- Far and near, at a distance and close by; throughout a whole region. -- Far and wide, distantly and broadly; comprehensively. "Far and wide his eye commands." Milton. -- From far, from a great distance; from a remote place. Note: Far often occurs in self-explaining compounds, such as far- extended, far-reaching, far-spread.

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