def pldist(point, start, end):
    """
    Calculates the distance from ``point`` to the line given
    by the points ``start`` and ``end``.

    :param point: a point
    :type point: numpy array
    :param start: a point of the line
    :type start: numpy array
    :param end: another point of the line
    :type end: numpy array
    """
    if np.all(start == end)):
        return np.linalg.norm(point - start)

    # normalized tangent vector
    d = np.divide(end - start, np.linalg.norm(end - start))

    # signed parallel distance components
    s = np.dot(start - point, d)
    t = np.dot(point - end, d)

    # clamped parallel distance
    h = np.max([s, t, 0])

    # perpendicular distance component, as before
    c = np.cross(point - start, d)

    # use hypot for Pythagoras to improve accuracy
    return np.hypot(h, c)