Distant, a.
Etymology: [F., fr. L. distans, -antis, p. pr. of distare to stand apart, be separate or distant; dis- + stare to stand. See Stand.]
1. Separated; having an intervening space; at a distance; away. One board had two tenons, equally distant. Ex. xxxvi. 22. Diana's temple is not distant far. Shak.
2. Far separated; far off; not near; remote; -- in place, time, consanguinity, or connection; as, distant times; distant relatives. The success of these distant enterprises. Prescott.
3. Reserved or repelling in manners; cold; not cordial; somewhat haughty; as, a distant manner. He passed me with a distant bow. Goldsmith.
4. Indistinct; faint; obscure, as from distance. Some distant knowledge. Shak. A distant glimpse. W. Irving.
2 more senses
5. Not conformable; discrepant; repugnant; as, a practice so widely distant from Christianity.
Syn. -- Separate; far; remote; aloof; apart; asunder; slight; faint; indirect; indistinct.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for distant; he lists it under alien.
He lists it without comment; the entries above explain its neighbors.