The quality or state of being aloof; emotional distance, detachment, or an air of superiority and disinterest.
From 'aloof' plus the noun-forming suffix '-ness.' The concept developed metaphorically from the original nautical meaning, representing psychological and emotional distance rather than physical separation.
One person's 'aloofness' might be another person's healthy boundary-setting—it's interesting how this word that started as a sailing term for 'staying away from the shore' became a label for someone's whole personality!
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