What is the root of word aloof?

The root of the word "aloof" is the Old Norse word "á lofti", which literally means "in the loft" or "up in the air".

Here's how the word evolved:

* Old Norse: á lofti (in the loft)

* Middle English: a-lofte (upward)

* Modern English: aloof (distant, reserved)

The original meaning of "in the loft" gradually shifted to signify a sense of being high up and therefore removed from the ground, which then evolved to mean emotionally distant or detached.