Both Uses
aloof
in
The Merchant of Venice
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- Nerissa and the rest, stand all aloof; Let music sound while he doth make his choice; Then, if he lose, he makes a swan-like end, Fading in music: that the comparison May stand more proper, my eye shall be the stream And watery death-bed for him.†
Scene 3.2 *aloof = socially distant or uninterested
- Now he goes, With no less presence, but with much more love, Than young Alcides when he did redeem The virgin tribute paid by howling Troy To the sea-monster: I stand for sacrifice; The rest aloof are the Dardanian wives, With bleared visages come forth to view The issue of th' exploit.†
Scene 3.2
Definitions:
-
(1)
(aloof) socially distant or uninterested in something that interests others -- often thinking oneself superior to others
- (2) (meaning too rare to warrant focus)