What does "aloof" mean?

Aloof: At or from a distance, but within view, or at a small distance; apart; away. Our palace stood aloof from streets. Dryden.

Additional senses

  1. 2.Without sympathy; unfavorably. To make the Bible as from the hand of God, and then to look at it aloof and with caution, is the worst of all impieties. I. Taylor.
  2. 3.Away from; clear from. [Obs.] Rivetus . . . would fain work himself aloof these rocks and quicksands. Milton.

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