strange

strange [strānj]

adj.

stranger, strangest [ME < OFr estrange < L extraneus, EXTRANEOUS]

1. of another place or locality; foreign; alien

2. not previously known, seen, heard, or experienced; unfamiliar

3. quite unusual or uncommon; extraordinary

4. queer; peculiar; odd

5. Archaic reserved, distant, or cold in manner

6. lacking experience; unaccustomed [strange to the job]

adv.

STRANGER, strangest, stranger

in a strange manner

strangely

adv.

SYN.- STRANGE, the term of broadest application here, refers to that which is unfamiliar, as because of being uncommon, unknown, new, etc. [a strange voice, idea, device, etc. ]; PECULIAR applies either to that which puzzles or to that which has unique qualities [a peculiar smell, pattern, etc. ]; ODD suggests that which differs from the ordinary or conventional, sometimes to the point of being bizarre [odd behavior ]; QUEER emphasizes an element of eccentricity, abnormality, or suspicion [a queer facial expression ]; QUAINT suggests an oddness, esp. an antique quality, that is pleasing or appealing [a quaint costume ]; OUTLANDISH suggests an oddness that is decidedly, often outrageously, fantastic or bizarre [outlandish customs ] -ANT. FAMILIAR, ORDINARY