- By far
- Far Far, a. [{Farther}and {Farthest}are 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.
[1913 Webster]
They said, . . . We be come from a far country. --Josh. ix. 6. [1913 Webster]
The nations far and near contend in choice. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]
2. Remote from purpose; contrary to design or wishes; as, far be it from me to justify cruelty. [1913 Webster]
3. Remote in affection or obedience; at a distance, morally or spiritually; t enmity with; alienated. [1913 Webster]
They that are far from thee ahsll perish. --Ps. lxxiii. 27. [1913 Webster]
4. Widely different in nature or quality; opposite in character. [1913 Webster]
He was far from ill looking, though he thought himself still farther. --F. Anstey. [1913 Webster]
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. [1913 Webster]
Note: The distinction between the adjectival and adverbial use of far is sometimes not easily discriminated. [1913 Webster]
{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. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
