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by far
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English Dictionary: by far by the DICT Development Group
2 results for by far
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
by far
adv
  1. by a considerable margin; "she was by far the smartest student"; "it was far and away the best meal he had ever eaten"
    Synonym(s): by far, far and away, out and away
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
   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[c6]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.
  
                     They said, . . . We be come from a far country.
                                                                              --Josh. ix. 6.
  
                     The nations far and near contend in choice.
                                                                              --Dryden.
  
      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. --Ps.
                                                                              lxxiii. 27.
  
      4. Widely different in nature or quality; opposite in
            character.
  
                     He was far from ill looking, though he thought
                     himself still farther.                        --F. Anstey.
  
      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. [bd]The examinations are few
            and far between.[b8] --Farrar.
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