Lunar distance

Lunar distance
Distance Dis"tance, n. [F. distance, L. distantia.] 1. The space between two objects; the length of a line, especially the shortest line joining two points or things that are separate; measure of separation in place. [1913 Webster]

Every particle attracts every other with a force . . . inversely proportioned to the square of the distance. --Sir I. Newton. [1913 Webster]

2. Remoteness of place; a remote place. [1913 Webster]

Easily managed from a distance. --W. Irving. [1913 Webster]

'T is distance lends enchantment to the view. --T. Campbell. [1913 Webster]

[He] waits at distance till he hears from Cato. --Addison. [1913 Webster]

3. (Racing) A space marked out in the last part of a race course. [1913 Webster]

The horse that ran the whole field out of distance. --L'Estrange. [1913 Webster]

Note: In trotting matches under the rules of the American Association, the distance varies with the conditions of the race, being 80 yards in races of mile heats, best two in three, and 150 yards in races of two-mile heats. At that distance from the winning post is placed the distance post. If any horse has not reached this distance post before the first horse in that heat has reached the winning post, such horse is distanced, and disqualified for running again during that race. [1913 Webster]

4. (Mil.) Relative space, between troops in ranks, measured from front to rear; -- contrasted with {interval}, which is measured from right to left. ``Distance between companies in close column is twelve yards.'' --Farrow. [1913 Webster]

5. Space between two antagonists in fencing. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

6. (Painting) The part of a picture which contains the representation of those objects which are the farthest away, esp. in a landscape. [1913 Webster]

Note: In a picture, the

{Middle distance} is the central portion between the foreground and the distance or the extreme distance. In a perspective drawing, the

{Point of distance} is the point where the visual rays meet. [1913 Webster]

7. Ideal disjunction; discrepancy; contrariety. --Locke. [1913 Webster]

8. Length or interval of time; period, past or future, between two eras or events. [1913 Webster]

Ten years' distance between one and the other. --Prior. [1913 Webster]

The writings of Euclid at the distance of two thousand years. --Playfair. [1913 Webster]

9. The remoteness or reserve which respect requires; hence, respect; ceremoniousness. [1913 Webster]

I hope your modesty Will know what distance to the crown is due. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]

'T is by respect and distance that authority is upheld. --Atterbury. [1913 Webster]

10. A withholding of intimacy; alienation; coldness; disagreement; variance; restraint; reserve. [1913 Webster]

Setting them [factions] at distance, or at least distrust amongst themselves. --Bacon. [1913 Webster]

On the part of Heaven, Now alienated, distance and distaste. --Milton. [1913 Webster]

11. Remoteness in succession or relation; as, the distance between a descendant and his ancestor. [1913 Webster]

12. (Mus.) The interval between two notes; as, the distance of a fourth or seventh. [1913 Webster]

{Angular distance}, the distance made at the eye by lines drawn from the eye to two objects.

{Lunar distance}. See under {Lunar}.

{North polar distance} (Astron.), the distance on the heavens of a heavenly body from the north pole. It is the complement of the declination.

{Zenith distance} (Astron.), the arc on the heavens from a heavenly body to the zenith of the observer. It is the complement of the altitude.

{To keep one's distance}, to stand aloof; to refrain from familiarity. [1913 Webster]

If a man makes me keep my distance, the comfort is he keeps his at the same time. --Swift. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • Lunar distance — Lunar Lu nar (l[=u] n[ e]r), a. [L. lunaris, fr. luna the moon. See {Luna}, and cf. {Lunary}.] 1. Of or pertaining to the moon; as, lunar observations. [1913 Webster] 2. Resembling the moon; orbed. Dryden. [1913 Webster] 3. Measured by the… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Lunar distance — may refer to: * Lunar distance (astronomy), the distance between the Earth and the Moon. * Lunar distance (navigation), a measurement used in the calculation of longitude …   Wikipedia

  • Lunar Distance — Das Laser Ranging System des geodätischen Observatoriums Wettzell ermöglicht auch die präzise Messung des Mondabstandes. In der Astronomie ist lunar distance (LD) (deutsch: Mondabstand) die Entfernung von der Erde zum Mond. Sie beträgt im… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Lunar distance (navigation) — For the history of the lunar distance method, see History of longitude. Finding Greenwich time while at sea using a lunar distance. The Lunar Distance is the angle between the Moon and a star (or the Sun). The altitudes of the two bodies are used …   Wikipedia

  • Lunar distance (astronomy) — This article is about the average distance from the Earth to the Moon. For its other use in navigation, see Lunar distance (navigation). Lunar perigee–apogee size comparison In astronomy, a lunar distance (LD) is a measurement of the distance… …   Wikipedia

  • lunar distance — noun the angular distance of the moon from the sun, a planet, or a star, used in finding longitude at sea …   English new terms dictionary

  • lunar distance — (LD)    the average distance between the Earth and the Moon (technically, the length of the semimajor axis of the Moon s orbit). This unit, equal to about 384 401 kilometers or 238 855 miles, is used to measure the miss distances of asteroids… …   Dictionary of units of measurement

  • lunar distance — noun : the angular distance from the moon to a planet or star used to determine longitudes at sea …   Useful english dictionary

  • lunar distance — Navig. the observed angle between the moon and another celestial body. [1820 30] * * * …   Universalium

  • Lunar — Lu nar (l[=u] n[ e]r), a. [L. lunaris, fr. luna the moon. See {Luna}, and cf. {Lunary}.] 1. Of or pertaining to the moon; as, lunar observations. [1913 Webster] 2. Resembling the moon; orbed. Dryden. [1913 Webster] 3. Measured by the revolutions… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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