Strange

Strange Strange, a. [Compar. {Stranger}; superl. {Strangest}.] [OE. estrange, F. ['e]trange, fr. L. extraneus that is without, external, foreign, fr. extra on the outside. See {Extra}, and cf. {Estrange}, {Extraneous}.] 1. Belonging to another country; foreign. ``To seek strange strands.'' --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]

One of the strange queen's lords. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

I do not contemn the knowledge of strange and divers tongues. --Ascham. [1913 Webster]

2. Of or pertaining to others; not one's own; not pertaining to one's self; not domestic. [1913 Webster]

So she, impatient her own faults to see, Turns from herself, and in strange things delights. --Sir J. Davies. [1913 Webster]

3. Not before known, heard, or seen; new. [1913 Webster]

Here is the hand and seal of the duke; you know the character, I doubt not; and the signet is not strange to you. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

4. Not according to the common way; novel; odd; unusual; irregular; extraordinary; unnatural; queer. ``He is sick of a strange fever.'' --Shak. [1913 Webster]

Sated at length, erelong I might perceive Strange alteration in me. --Milton. [1913 Webster]

5. Reserved; distant in deportment. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

She may be strange and shy at first, but will soon learn to love thee. --Hawthorne. [1913 Webster]

6. Backward; slow. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]

Who, loving the effect, would not be strange In favoring the cause. --Beau. & Fl. [1913 Webster]

7. Not familiar; unaccustomed; inexperienced. [1913 Webster]

In thy fortunes am unlearned and strange. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

Note: Strange is often used as an exclamation. [1913 Webster]

Strange! what extremes should thus preserve the snow High on the Alps, or in deep caves below. --Waller. [1913 Webster]

{Strange sail} (Naut.), an unknown vessel.

{Strange woman} (Script.), a harlot. --Prov. v. 3.

{To make it strange}. (a) To assume ignorance, suspicion, or alarm, concerning it. --Shak. (b) To make it a matter of difficulty. [Obs.] --Chaucer.

{To make strange}, {To make one's self strange}. (a) To profess ignorance or astonishment. (b) To assume the character of a stranger. --Gen. xlii. 7. [1913 Webster]

Syn: Foreign; new; outlandish; wonderful; astonishing; marvelous; unusual; odd; uncommon; irregular; queer; eccentric. [1913 Webster]