aloof English · revision 2158

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /əˈluːf/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is a compound of [[a-]] “on”^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(RHWU) and ''loof'' “windward”,^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU) the same word as [[luff]],^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU) probably from Dutch ''loef'' “weather side of a ship”^(Etymonline) or from Old French ''lof'', of Germanic origin.^(Barnhart 1995)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ As a nautical adverb, away to windward (1532).^(Barnhart 1995)^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It was originally an order to the steersman to keep the ship's head to the wind,^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) and so to stay clear of a lee shore or another danger.^(Etymonline) From this came the general sense “at a distance but within view” (1530s),^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) and figuratively “apart, without fellow feeling”, especially in ''stand aloof'' and ''keep aloof'' (1583).^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) As an adjective meaning distant or reserved it dates from about 1600.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1532 – away to windward.^(Barnhart 1995)^(OED 1989)

+ * c1540 – at a distance, apart.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1549 – a steering order to turn the ship into the wind.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1583 – figurative, holding back, without sympathy.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1607 – distant, detached, unsympathetic.^(OED 1989)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Distant or reserved in manner; standoffish.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ===Adverb===

+ # At a distance, apart, especially in feeling or interest.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[aloofly]]

+ * [[aloofness]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[luff]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}