Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Strange
Strange
,Adj.
[
Com
par.
Stranger
; sup
erl.
Strangest
.] [OE.
estrange
, F. étrange
, 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.
One of the
strange
queen’s lords. Shakespeare
I do not contemn the knowledge of
strange
and divers tongues. Ascham.
2.
Of or pertaining to others; not one's own; not pertaining to one's self; not domestic.
So she, impatient her own faults to see,
Turns from herself, and in
Turns from herself, and in
strange
things delights. Sir J. Davies.
3.
Not before known, heard, or seen; new.
Here is the hand and seal of the duke; you know the character, I doubt not; and the signet is not
strange
to you. Shakespeare
4.
Not according to the common way; novel; odd; unusual; irregular; extraordinary; unnatural; queer.
“He is sick of a strange fever.” Shak.
Sated at length, erelong I might perceive
Strange
alteration in me. Milton.
5.
Reserved; distant in deportment.
Shak.
She may be
strange
and shy at first, but will soon learn to love thee. Hawthorne.
6.
Backward; slow.
[Obs.]
Who, loving the effect, would not be
In favoring the cause.
strange
In favoring the cause.
Beau. & Fl.
7.
Not familiar; unaccustomed; inexperienced.
In thy fortunes am unlearned and
strange
. Shakespeare
☞ Strange is often used as an exclamation.
Strange
! what extremes should thus preserve the snowHigh on the Alps, or in deep caves below.
Waller.
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.
Syn. – Foreign; new; outlandish; wonderful; astonishing; marvelous; unusual; odd; uncommon; irregular; queer; eccentric.
Strange
,adv.
Strangely.
[Obs.]
Most
strange
, but yet most truly, will I speak. Shakespeare
Strange
,Verb.
T.
To alienate; to estrange.
[Obs.]
Strange
,Verb.
I.
1.
To be estranged or alienated.
[Obs.]
2.
To wonder; to be astonished.
[Obs.]
Glanvill.
Webster 1828 Edition
Strange
STRANGE
,Adj.
1.
Foreign; belonging to anther country.I do not contemn the knowledge of strange and divers tongues. [This sense is nearly obsolete.
2.
Not domestic; belonging to others.So she impatient her own faults to see, turns from herself, and in strange things delights. [Nearly obsolete.]
3.
New; not before known, heard or seen. The former custom was familiar; the latter was new and strange to them. Hence, 4.
Wonderful; causing surprise; exciting curiosity. It is strange that men will not receive improvement, when it is shown to be improvement.Sated at length, ere long I might perceive strange alteration in me.
5.
Odd; unusual; irregular; not according to the common way.Hes strange and peevish.
6.
Remote. [Little used.]7.
Uncommon; unusual.This made David to admire the law of god at that strange rate.
8.
Unacquainted.They were now at a gage, looking strange at one another.
9.
Strange is sometimes uttered by way of exclamation.Strange! What extremes should thus preserve the snow, high on the Alps, or in deep caves below.
This is an elliptical expression for it is strange.
STRANGE
,Verb.
T.
STRANGE
,Verb.
I.
1.
To wonder; to be astonished. [Not in use.]2.
To be estranged or alienated. [Not in use.]