Establishing distance from two directions before time rambling (10)

I believe the answer is:

estranging

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'establishing distance from two' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.

'directions before time rambling' is the wordplay.
'directions' becomes 'Es' (east and south - two directions).
'before' says to put letters next to each other.
'time' becomes 't' (abbreviation).
'rambling' becomes 'ranging' ('range' can be a synonym of 'ramble').
'es'+'t'+'ranging'='ESTRANGING'

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I've seen this clue in The Guardian.

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