distancer

plural distancers

1. human sciencesA person who tends to maintain emotional distance and detachment.

   Coordinate term: pursuer

   1 more example

   Pursuers are more likely than distancers to seek help from a professional, such as a physician.

   1990, Susan H. McDaniel et al., Family-Oriented Primary Care, →ISBN, page 171

2. A means for establishing physical or emotional distance.

   The band’s third album, “When the World Comes Down,” isn’t striking obscure poses, inventing slang or playing with the audience through distancers like tension and distortion.

   2008 December 14, Ben Ratliff, “Critic's Choice: New CDs”, in The New York Times

plural distancers

1. datedA long-distance runner.

   Phillips was one of a field of a dozen distancers who started in the twomile handicap run which featured the games of the Friend's of Irish Freedom at Ulmer Park, Brooklyn.

   1921 August 22, “Paulist Distancer Triumphs in Two-Mile Race”, in The New York Times, page 16

   Synonyms: long distancer