Laurel seen in distance (4)
I believe the answer is:
stan
'laurel' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'in distance' is the wordplay.
'in' says the answer is hidden in the clue.
'STAN' is hidden in the letters of 'distance'.
'seen' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for stan that I've seen before include "One of the comic duo" , "Laurel perhaps" , "- Laurel, comedian" , "- Laurel, Hardy's partner" , "- Getz, jazz musician" .)