Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Stranger?

\Stran"ger\, n. [OF. estrangier, F. ['e]tranger. See {Strange}.] 1. One who is strange, foreign, or unknown. Specifically: (a) One who comes from a foreign land; a foreigner. I am a most poor woman and a stranger, Born out of your dominions. --Shak. (b) One whose home is at a distance from the place where he is, but in the same country. (c) One who is unknown or unacquainted; as, the gentleman is a stranger to me; hence, one not admitted to communication, fellowship, or acquaintance. Melons on beds of ice are taught to bear, And strangers to the sun yet ripen here. --Granville. My child is yet a stranger in the world. --Shak. I was no stranger to the original. --Dryden. 2. One not belonging to the family or household; a guest; a visitor. To honor and receive Our heavenly stranger. --Milton. 3. (Law) One not privy or party an act, contract, or title; a mere intruder or intermeddler; one who interferes without right; as, actual possession of land gives a good title against a stranger having no title; as to strangers, a mortgage is considered merely as a pledge; a mere stranger to the levy.
\Stran"ger\, v. t. To estrange; to alienate. [Obs.] --Shak.