adv.
1. [naut] sail nearer the wind
2. [naut] away to the windward
3. hence generally, of position: away at some distance
4. of action: from a distance, not at close quarters
5. fig. without community of action or feeling
6. as compl. or pred.: at a distance; distant; hence, detached, unsympathetic

hence attrib. as adj. distant (obs. rare), also, detached, unsympathetic

QED