stand-off adjective & noun.
['standɒf] Also
standoff.
M19.[from stand off s.v. STAND verb.]A. adjective.
1. That holds aloof; proud, disdainful; reserved. Now
rare.
M19.2. Rugby Football. Designating or pertaining to (the position of) a half-back forming a link between the scrum-half and the three-quarters.
E20.3. Projecting or positioned a short distance away from a surface or another object; serving to hold something in such a position.
M20.4. Military. Of a guided missile: designed to be launched against its target from an aircraft at long range.
M20.b. noun. Chiefly
N. Amer.1. Reluctance to associate with others; aloofness. Now
rare.
M19.2. A draw, a tie, esp. in a sporting event.
M19.3. a. A thing which counterbalances another. Chiefly
fig. L19.b. A stalemate, a deadlock; an impasse.
M20.4. An extension of the time set for a creditor; a postponement of payment due.
slang. Now
rare.
L19.5. A rest; a temporary cessation from work.
rare.
E20.6. Rugby Football. =
stand-off half below.
E20.7. A thing serving to hold an object clear of a surface or another object.
M20.
Phrases & comb.:
MEXICAN stand-off.
stand-off half Rugby Football a half-back forming a link between the scrum-half and the three-quarters.
■ standoffish adjective holding aloof; proud, disdainful; reserved:
M19. ■ standoffishly adverb M20. ■ standoffishness noun stand-off behaviour
L19. [TahlilGaran] English Dictionary ▲
stand off v. 1. To stay at a distance; stay apart.
At parties, Mr. Jones goes around talking to everyone, but Mrs. Jones is shy and stands off. 2. To keep (someone or something) from coming near or winning.
The soldiers defending the fort stood off a large band of Indians. The other schools wanted to beat our team and win the championship, but our boys stood them all off. Antonym: GIVE GROUND.
[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲