standoff

or stand-off

[ stand-awf, -of ]
/ ˈstændˌɔf, -ˌɒf /

noun

a standing off or apart; aloofness.
a tie or draw, as in a game.
something that counterbalances.
a prop for holding the top of a ladder away from the vertical surface against which it is leaning.
Electricity. an insulator that supports a conductor above a surface.

adjective

standing off or apart; aloof; reserved: an uncordial and standoff manner.

Origin of standoff

First recorded in 1830–40; noun, adj. use of verb phrase stand off

Example sentences from the Web for standoff

British Dictionary definitions for standoff

standoff
/ (ˈstændˌɒf) /

noun

verb stand off (adverb)