'distance-distorting' is a compound formed from the noun 'distance' (from Latin 'distantia' via Old French 'distance') and the present participle 'distorting' from the verb 'distort' (from Latin 'distorquere' / past participle 'distortus').

'distance' entered English via Old French 'distance' from Latin 'distantia'; 'distort' comes from Latin 'distorquere' > past participle 'distortus' and passed into English through Late Latin and Middle English participial forms, combining later as a descriptive compound in modern English.

Initially, 'distance' meant 'the state of being apart' and 'distort' meant 'to twist or turn out of shape'; together in modern usage the compound means 'to make perceived or measured distances appear twisted or altered'.