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The Collaborative International Dictionary
To make one's self 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.

    One of the strange queen's lords.
    --Shak.

    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 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.
    --Shak.

  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 strange In favoring the cause.
    --Beau. & Fl.

  7. Not familiar; unaccustomed; inexperienced. In thy fortunes am unlearned and strange. --Shak. Note: Strange is often used as an exclamation. Strange! what extremes should thus preserve the snow High 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.

    1. To assume ignorance, suspicion, or alarm, concerning it.
      --Shak.

    2. To make it a matter of difficulty. [Obs.] --Chaucer. To make strange, To make one's self strange.

      1. To profess ignorance or astonishment.

      2. To assume the character of a stranger.
        --Gen. xlii. 7.

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