The Collaborative International Dictionary
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.]
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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. Remote from purpose; contrary to design or wishes; as, far be it from me to justify cruelty.
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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. -
Widely different in nature or quality; opposite in character.
He was far from ill looking, though he thought himself still farther.
--F. Anstey. -
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.
Usage examples of "far between".
In the dim past, Quintaglios had built many stone temples and houses, but, so the stories went, landquakes had been few and far between then.
Over the rest of the afternoon, he ate the five remaining pieces of flesh, his mind wandering far between each one.