BY FAR • E-FREE TRANSLATION.COM • Definition of By far

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/baɪ fɑr/ Listen

adjective

Far adj. (farther and farthest are used as the compar. and superl. of far, although they are corruptions arising from confusion with further and furthest)

1.

Distant in any direction; not near; remote; mutually separated by a wide space or extent. "They said,... We be come from a far country." "The nations far and near contend in choice."

2.

Remote from purpose; contrary to design or wishes; as, far be it from me to justify cruelty.

3.

Remote in affection or obedience; at a distance, morally or spiritually; t enmity with; alienated. "They that are far from thee ahsll perish."

4.

Widely different in nature or quality; opposite in character. "He was far from ill looking, though he thought himself still farther."

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. 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."

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Etymology of 'By far'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"By far" Quotes from Famous Books

... called the north-west point of this range Carmichael's Crag. The range trended a little south of east, and we decided to follow along its southern face, which was open, grassy, and beautifully green; it was by far the most agreeable and ...

— Australia Twice Traversed, The Romance of Exploration • Ernest Giles

... Banjaras are derived from the Charan or Bhat caste of Rajputana. Mr. Cumberlege, whose Monograph on the caste in Berar is one of the best authorities, states that of the four divisions existing there the Charans are the most numerous and by far the most interesting class. [179] In the article on Bhat it has been explained how the Charans or bards, owing to their readiness to kill themselves rather than give up the property entrusted to ...

— The Tribes and Castes of the Central Provinces of India - Volume II • R. V. Russell

... vexatious. Every moment lost to the pursuit was more than a minute gained by the pursued. Lighter by far and trained to mountain climbing, the Apache covers ground with agility almost goatlike. It was long after seven, said Stannard's watch, and not a glimpse had they caught of Indian other than their own. ...

— Tonio, Son of the Sierras - A Story of the Apache War • Charles King

... But don't change the name of the Firm again. Don't do it, Young Master Wilding. It was bad luck enough to make it Yourself and Co. Better by far have left it Pebbleson Nephew that good luck always stuck to. You should never change luck when it's ...

— No Thoroughfare • Charles Dickens and Wilkie Collins

... crosslets, pendulets, amulets, annulets, bracelets, and so many lets, that yet she's scarce dressed to the girdle; and now there is such calling for fardingales, kirtles, busk-points, shoe-ties, &c., that seven pedlars' shops—nay, all Stourbridge fair, will scarce furnish her. A ship is sooner rigged by far, than ...

— A Select Collection of Old English Plays, Vol. IX • Various

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