The dim and distant past? (4,4)
I believe the answer is:
dark ages
'the' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.
'dim and distant past?' is the wordplay.
'dim' becomes 'dark' (similar in meaning).
'and' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'distant past?' becomes 'ages' (I can't explain this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'dark'+'ages'='DARK AGES'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for dark ages that I've seen before include "Times delighted" , "Period after the fall of the Roman Empire" , "Period of supposed unenlightenment" , "when the record is blank?" , "Period c AD500-1100" .)