different between aloof vs insular

English

Etymology

From Middle English loof (“weather gage, windward direction”), probably from Middle Dutch (Compare Dutch loef (“the weather side of a ship”)), originally a nautical order to keep the ship's head to the wind, thus to stay clear of a lee-shore or some other quarter, hence the figurative sense of "at a distance, apart".

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /??lu?f/
• Rhymes: -u?f

Adverb

aloof (comparative more aloof, superlative most aloof)

1. At or from a distance, but within view, or at a small distance; apart; away.
2. Without sympathy; unfavorably.

Translations

Adjective

aloof (comparative more aloof, superlative most aloof)

1. Reserved and remote; either physically or emotionally distant; standoffish.

Derived terms

• aloofly
• aloofness

Translations

Preposition

aloof

1. (obsolete) Away from; clear of.

See also

• See also Thesaurus:arrogant

References

Anagrams

• loofa

English

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin insularis (“of or belonging to an island”), from insula (“an island”), perhaps, from in (“in”) + salum (“the main sea”).

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /??nsj?l?/
• (US) IPA^(key): /??ns?l?/, /??nsj?l?/
• Hyphenation: in?su?lar

Adjective

insular (comparative more insular, superlative most insular)

1. Of, pertaining to, being, or resembling an island or islands.
   • 1836, Washington Irving, Astoria, ch. 6:

     With these he held undisputed sway over his insular domains, and carried on intercourse with the chiefs or governors whom he had placed in command of the several islands.

2. Situated on an island.
   • 1851, Herman Melville, Moby-Dick, ch. 1:

     There now is your insular city of the Manhattoes, belted round by wharves as Indian isles by coral reefs.

3. Separate or isolated from the surroundings; having little interaction with external parties; provincial.
   • 1903, Jack London, Call of the Wild, ch. 1:

     [H]e had a fine pride in himself, was even a trifle egotistical, as country gentlemen sometimes become because of their insular situation.

4. Having an inward-looking, standoffish, or withdrawn manner.
   • 1905, E. M. Forster, Where Angels Fear to Tread, ch. 6:

     Harriet was fretful and insular. Miss Abbott was pleasant, and insisted on praising everything.

5. (anatomy) Relating to the insula in the brain
6. (biochemistry) Relating to insulin

Related terms

Translations

Noun

insular (plural insulars)

1. An islander.

   (Can we find and add a quotation of Berkeley to this entry?)

Further reading

• insular at OneLook Dictionary Search

Anagrams

• urinals

Catalan

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin ?nsul?ris.

Pronunciation

• (Balearic, Central) IPA^(key): /in.su?la/
• (Valencian) IPA^(key): /in.su?la?/

Adjective

insular (masculine and feminine plural insulars)

1. insular

Synonyms

• illenc

Related terms

• illa

Romanian

Etymology

From French insulaire, from Latin insularis.

Adjective

insular m or n (feminine singular insular?, masculine plural insulari, feminine and neuter plural insulare)

1. insular

Declension

Spanish

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin insularis.

Adjective

insular (plural insulares)

1. insular

Noun

insular m or f (plural insulares)

1. islander

Related terms

• ínsula
• isla