distanze

Distanze is the plural of distanza in Italian, meaning the amount of space between two or more points. The singular distanza refers to a single separation, while distanze is used when talking about multiple separations or the concept in general. In everyday language, distances are measured in units such as meters, kilometers, miles, or feet, depending on the country and context. In scientific and technical contexts, distance is a fundamental quantity defined as the length of the separation between points in a given space.

In geometry and physics, distance is often represented by a distance function or metric that assigns a non-negative number to each pair of points. In Euclidean space, this corresponds to the Euclidean distance. More generally, a distance function must satisfy non-negativity, identity of indiscernibles, symmetry, and the triangle inequality. Different spaces may use different metrics, such as Minkowski distance in relativity or graph distance in discrete structures.

Practical methods to determine distances vary by context. Direct measurement with rulers or tapes is common for short ranges. For larger distances, triangulation and trilateration are used, as are odometry-based methods in navigation. Satellite positioning systems like GPS provide distances based on time signals, while radar, lidar, and sonar offer range measurements in various environments.

Distances are not only physical but also conceptual. Geographical distances describe actual spatial gaps, while travel distances or estimated times relate to movement. Social and emotional distances describe levels of closeness or barrier between people and groups, illustrating the range of meanings the term distanze can convey.

Etymology: distanza derives from Latin distantia, from distare, meaning to stand apart; distanze is the plural form.