middle distance

American  

noun

1. Also called middle plane.  Also called middle ground.  Fine Arts. the represented space between the foreground and background in paintings, drawings, etc.

2. (in track) a race distance ranging from 400 meters or 440 yards to 1 mile.

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middle-distance British  

adjective

1. athletics relating to or denoting races of a length between the sprints and the distance events, esp the 800 metres and the 1500 metres

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noun

1. Also called: middle ground.  part of a painting, esp a landscape between the foreground and far distance

Etymology

Origin of middle distance

First recorded in 1805–15

Example Sentences

An engine rumbled and a truck appeared in the middle distance.

From Literature

Dimple sat, rigid in her seat, refusing to look at anyone, gazing into the middle distance.

From Literature

His eyes were focused on the middle distance.

From Literature

Their faces were perfectly composed—but their eyes kept drifting to the children in the cart and then snapping off into the middle distance again as they recovered their discipline.

From Literature

All burst in the air before reaching her coach, the pieces of metal falling harmlessly in the middle distance.

From Literature