n.
Pronunciation: ' ā -l ē - ə n, ' ā l-y ə n
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin alienus, from alius
Date: 14th century
1 a : belonging or relating to another person, place, or thing : STRANGE b : relating, belonging, or owing allegiance to another country or government : FOREIGN c : EXOTIC 1
2 : differing in nature or character typically to the point of incompatibility
synonyms see EXTRINSIC
– alien · ly adverb
– alien · ness \ -l ē - ə n-n ə s, -y ə n-n ə s \ noun