What is "by far"

Far \Far\, a. [ Fartherand Farthestare used as the compar. and superl. of far, although they are corruptions arising from confusion with further and furthest. See Further.] [OE. fer, feor, AS. feor; akin to OS. fer, D. ver, OHG. ferro, adv., G. fern, a., Icel. fjarri, Dan. fjirn, Sw. fjerran, adv., Goth. fa[=i]rra, adv., Gr. ????? beyond, Skr. paras, adv., far, and prob. to L. per through, and E. prefix for-, as in forgive, and also to fare. Cf. Farther, Farthest.]

1. 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. 6.

   The nations far and near contend in choice.
   --Dryden.

2. Remote from purpose; contrary to design or wishes; as, far be it from me to justify cruelty.

3. 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. 27.

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. 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.

prep.phr. (context idiomatic English) To a considerably large extent, easily.

adv. by a considerable margin; "she was by far the smartest student"; "it was far and away the best meal he had ever eaten" [syn: far and away, out and away]