standoff
Pronunciation:
verb
Definitions
To stand some distance apart from something or someone.
Example: He stood off from the fire, for fear of getting scorched.
To prevent any would-be attacker from coming close by adopting an offensive posture.
Example: We took hold of anything that might serve as a weapon to stand off the menacing group of young men.
To move away from shore.
noun
Definitions
A device which maintains a fixed distance between two objects, especially between a surface and a sign or electrical wiring.
A deadlocked confrontation between antagonists (see stand off and verb below).
Example: A tense standoff between demonstrators and police continued overnight.