aloof

Etymology

From Middle English loof (“weather gage, windward direction”), probably from Middle Dutch (Compare Dutch loef (“the weather side of a ship”)), originally a nautical order to keep the ship's head to the wind, thus to stay clear of a lee-shore or some other quarter, hence the figurative sense of "at a distance, apart".

adv

1. At or from a distance, but within view, or at a small distance; apart; away.
   The noise approaches, tho' our palace stood Aloof from streets, encompass'd with a wood 1697, John Dryden, “Part 13”, in Virgil's Aeneid, Harvard Classics edition, translation of original by Virgil, published 2004, page 113
   Mother[…]considered that the exclusiveness of Peter's circle was due not to its distinction, but to the fact that it was an inner Babylon of prodigality and whoredom, from which every Kensingtonian held aloof, except on the conventional tip-and-run excursions in pursuit of shopping, tea and theatres. 1922, Ben Travers, chapter 2, in A Cuckoo in the Nest
2. Without sympathy; unfavorably.
   But to open the Bible in this spirit — to take the Book as from the hand of God, and then to look at it aloof, and with caution, as if throughout it were illusory and enigmatical, is the worst of all impieties. 1832, Isaac Taylor, Saturday evening, page 363

adj

1. Reserved and remote; either physically or emotionally distant; standoffish.

prep

1. (obsolete) Away from; clear of.
   Rivetus […] would fain work himself aloof these rocks and quicksands. 1643, John Milton, Doctrine and Discipline of Divorce