standoffish

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standoffish

(stændˈɔfɪʃ)

mod. aloof. Bob is sort of standoffish until he gets to know you.

References in periodicals archive ?

Tennessee Dance Theatre and Ballet Theatre Pennsylvania came to New York City with works that revealed a similarly standoffish attitude toward dance.

Tennessee Dance Theatre

Outside of this early handful of business backers, the corporate community has been standoffish.

Getting an education

When approached by Spinnaker Support about changing third-party maintenance vendors, I was a little standoffish at first," commented Scott Rydalch, chief information officer of RS&I.

Spinnaker Support Announces New Third-Party Maintenance Customer

Standoffish at first, Isaac eventually accepts Lem as his partner in religiously tinged crime - there's a dead cat resurrection that must be seen to be believed, if not persuaded by - until, inevitably under this kind of regime, betrayal becomes a necessity.

NO PARENTS, JUST UNCLE JOE

In contrast, standoffish fermions won't share a quantum state with even one other fermion.

Quantum pileup: ultracold molecules meld into oneness

But he comes off as this closeted, standoffish guy, and until I came out I felt the same way.

Muppet boy makes good: the hit play Avenue Q tells a coming-out story in Sesame Street style--and predicts stardom for out puppeteer John Tartaglia

Pipes lists 42 "telltale indications," to help citizens spot sleepers: Sleepers avoid contact with the larger society by being "friendly but standoffish.

Terrrism and the English language: this year's crop of books offers thrills over insight

But Jacqueline Bouvier was this Frenchified whisper of a thing who was too delicate and standoffish to campaign with her Erin-go-bragh dream of a husband.

Lady pretty lady fine

9% increase in domestic same-store revenue in August, many analysts are still standoffish during this shaky time.

Sell List Highlights: Biosite, Sabre Holdings, Celestica, and Sears, Roebuck & Company

He was a very private man but not standoffish or aloof.

Kirk stunned by PS1.2m elder's will

At times he got standoffish and had a smart-alecky attitude toward me,'' she said.

MAIL TERROR SUSPECT FACED EX-SUPERVISOR SAYS PEITZ WAS MAN IN HOOD

As predicted by quantum mechanics, the standoffish nature of fermions--a vast class of particles that includes protons and electrons--revealed itself in experiments on electrons and ultracold atoms (155: 230; 156: 166).

SCIENCE NEWS of the Year

To be intelligent meant "understanding" criminals, looking down on family values, and being standoffish about patriotism.

The truth about twenty-somethings

There are several computer software services companies that analysts are staying standoffish, including Paychex (NASDAQ: PAYX).

Zacks Sell List Highlights: Key Energy Services, Rayonier, Intuit, and Lexmark International

I'm sure you're a great person, but I think you're probably painfully shy and, often, shy people do come across as cold or standoffish because they take longer to relax around people.