distare

Distare is an Italian verb meaning to be at a distance from a reference point or to stand at a given distance. It is used to describe physical separation between places or objects, and it can also be used in figurative senses, such as indicating a gap in time, opinion, or other non-physical distinctions. The term is historically linked to the idea of standing apart or being separate from something.

Etymology and usage

Distare derives from Latin distare, formed from dis- “apart” and stare “to stand.” In modern Italian, the verb is commonly employed with the preposition da to express how far something is from something else. A typical example is La casa dista due chilometri dal centro, meaning the house is two kilometers from the center. The verb tends to appear in descriptive prose, travel writing, real estate descriptions, and other contexts where a precise distance matters.

Forms and related terms

Distare belongs to the first conjugation in Italian, with forms adapting to standard -are verb patterns across tenses. The noun distanza (distance) and the adjective distante (distant) are closely related derivatives. The concept of distance is central to many Italian expressions, including measurements of space, time, and figurative gaps.

Cross-language note

Cognates exist in other Romance languages, such as distar in Spanish and Portuguese, with similar meanings related to being at a distance from a reference point. Distare may also appear in historical texts or poetic usage to convey separation, distance, or estrangement.

Overall, distare remains a common, utility-focused term for describing how far something is from something else, both in literal and figurative contexts.