Zenith \Ze"nith\ (?; 277), n. [OE. senyth, OF. cenith, F.
   z['e]nith, Sp. zenit, cenit, abbrev. fr. Ar. samt-urras way
   of the head, vertical place; samt way, path + al the + ras
   head. Cf. Azimuth.]
   [1913 Webster]
   1. That point in the visible celestial hemisphere which is
      vertical to the spectator; the point of the heavens
      directly overhead; -- opposed to nadir.
      [1913 Webster]

            From morn
            To noon he fell, from noon to dewy eve,
            A summer's day; and with the setting sun
            Dropped from the zenith, like a falling star.
                                                  --Milton.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. hence, figuratively, the point of culmination; the
      greatest height; the height of success or prosperity.
      [1913 Webster]

            I find my zenith doth depend upon
            A most auspicious star.               --Shak.
      [1913 Webster]

            This dead of midnight is the noon of thought,
            And wisdom mounts her zenith with the stars. --Mrs.
                                                  Barbauld.
      [1913 Webster]

            It was during those civil troubles . . . this
            aspiring family reached the zenith.   --Macaulay.
      [1913 Webster]

   Zenith distance. (Astron.) See under Distance.

   Zenith sector. (Astron.) See Sector, 3.

   Zenith telescope (Geodesy), a telescope specially designed
      for determining the latitude by means of any two stars
      which pass the meridian about the same time, and at nearly
      equal distances from the zenith, but on opposite sides of
      it. It turns both on a vertical and a horizontal axis, is
      provided with a graduated vertical semicircle, and a level
      for setting it to a given zenith distance, and with a
      micrometer for measuring the difference of the zenith
      distances of the two stars.
      [1913 Webster]

Distance \Dis"tance\, n. [F. distance, L. distantia.]
   1. The space between two objects; the length of a line,
      especially the shortest line joining two points or things
      that are separate; measure of separation in place.
      [1913 Webster]

            Every particle attracts every other with a force . .
            . inversely proportioned to the square of the
            distance.                             --Sir I.
                                                  Newton.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. Remoteness of place; a remote place.
      [1913 Webster]

            Easily managed from a distance.       --W. Irving.
      [1913 Webster]

            'T is distance lends enchantment to the view. --T.
                                                  Campbell.
      [1913 Webster]

            [He] waits at distance till he hears from Cato.
                                                  --Addison.
      [1913 Webster]

   3. (Racing) A space marked out in the last part of a race
      course.
      [1913 Webster]

            The horse that ran the whole field out of distance.
                                                  --L'Estrange.
      [1913 Webster]

   Note: In trotting matches under the rules of the American
         Association, the distance varies with the conditions of
         the race, being 80 yards in races of mile heats, best
         two in three, and 150 yards in races of two-mile heats.
         At that distance from the winning post is placed the
         distance post. If any horse has not reached this
         distance post before the first horse in that heat has
         reached the winning post, such horse is distanced, and
         disqualified for running again during that race.
         [1913 Webster]

   4. (Mil.) Relative space, between troops in ranks, measured
      from front to rear; -- contrasted with interval, which
      is measured from right to left. "Distance between
      companies in close column is twelve yards." --Farrow.
      [1913 Webster]

   5. Space between two antagonists in fencing. --Shak.
      [1913 Webster]

   6. (Painting) The part of a picture which contains the
      representation of those objects which are the farthest
      away, esp. in a landscape.
      [1913 Webster]

   Note: In a picture, the

   Middle distance is the central portion between the
      foreground and the distance or the extreme distance. In a
      perspective drawing, the

   Point of distance is the point where the visual rays meet.
      [1913 Webster]

   7. Ideal disjunction; discrepancy; contrariety. --Locke.
      [1913 Webster]

   8. Length or interval of time; period, past or future,
      between two eras or events.
      [1913 Webster]

            Ten years' distance between one and the other.
                                                  --Prior.
      [1913 Webster]

            The writings of Euclid at the distance of two
            thousand years.                       --Playfair.
      [1913 Webster]

   9. The remoteness or reserve which respect requires; hence,
      respect; ceremoniousness.
      [1913 Webster]

            I hope your modesty
            Will know what distance to the crown is due.
                                                  --Dryden.
      [1913 Webster]

            'T is by respect and distance that authority is
            upheld.                               --Atterbury.
      [1913 Webster]

   10. A withholding of intimacy; alienation; coldness;
       disagreement; variance; restraint; reserve.
       [1913 Webster]

             Setting them [factions] at distance, or at least
             distrust amongst themselves.         --Bacon.
       [1913 Webster]

             On the part of Heaven,
             Now alienated, distance and distaste. --Milton.
       [1913 Webster]

   11. Remoteness in succession or relation; as, the distance
       between a descendant and his ancestor.
       [1913 Webster]

   12. (Mus.) The interval between two notes; as, the distance
       of a fourth or seventh.
       [1913 Webster]

   Angular distance, the distance made at the eye by lines
      drawn from the eye to two objects.

   Lunar distance. See under Lunar.

   North polar distance (Astron.), the distance on the heavens
      of a heavenly body from the north pole. It is the
      complement of the declination.

   Zenith distance (Astron.), the arc on the heavens from a
      heavenly body to the zenith of the observer. It is the
      complement of the altitude.

   To keep one's distance, to stand aloof; to refrain from
      familiarity.
      [1913 Webster]

            If a man makes me keep my distance, the comfort is
            he keeps his at the same time.        --Swift.
      [1913 Webster]