adv. (colloquial).—Distant.
1873. MARIETTA HOLLEY, My Opinions and Betsy Bobbet’s, 289. Now I am naturally pretty OFFISH and retirin’ in my ways, with strange men folks. I think it is becomin’ in a woman to be so, instead of bold.
1883. Century, XXXVI. 35. She was rather OFFISH, but really would have been glad to make up.
1883. L. OLIPHANT, Altiora Peto, II. xxxii. 202. You did not know that your husband … married my niece before he married his other wives, or you wouldn’t ha’ been so OFFISH when we first met over in Paris.
1892. A. C. GUNTER, Miss Dividends, vi. ‘You make me feel as if you were OFFISH,’ says the youthful news-agent.
