Far-away

a., adv. and sb. [f. FAR adv. + AWAY.]

  A.  adj.

  1.  Situated at a great distance; remote: a. in space; b. in time; c. in relationship.

1816.  Scott, Antiq., xxix. ‘I kend you papist folk are unco set on the relics that are fetched frae far-awa’ kirks.’ Ibid. (1818), Rob Roy, xiv. ‘Pate’s a far-awa’ cousin o’ mine.’

1851.  H. Melville, Whale, xxvi. 126. This far-away domestic memory of his young wife and child.

1876.  Geo. Eliot, Dan. Der., III. xli. 224. Had … possibly far-away ancestors who denied themselves to be Jews.

1883.  Stevenson, Treasure Isl., III. xiii. (1886), 107. They all came out of their sulks in a moment, and gave a cheer that started the echo in a far-away hill.

1891.  E. Peacock, Narcissa Brendon, I. 56. I am really most gravely interested in these far-away matters.

  2.  Of a look, eye: Directed to a distance, absent, dreamy.

1881.  Dr. Gheist, 204. That far-away look so characteristic of the human face when under the dominion of an all-absorbing idea.

1886.  Hall Caine, Son of Hagar, I. ii. The old charcoal-burner had stepped up to where the girl kneeled with far-away eyes.

  Hence Far-awayness, the state or fact of being far away, remoteness.

1888.  Univ. Rev., II. 569. The far-awayness of Europe.

1888.  Athenæum, 13 Oct., 480/3. The presence is to be remarked of (as it were) ‘far-awayness’ of touch [in a picture].

  B.  adv. See FAR adv.

  C.  sb. What is far away; distant parts; the ‘dim distance.’

1823.  Hood, Ode Autumn, v.

1870.  Longf., To the Stork, i.