I. ˈstrānj adjective
( strang·er ; strang·est )
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French estrange, from Latin extraneus, literally, external, from extra outside — more at extra-
Date: 13th century
1.
a. archaic : of, relating to, or characteristic of another country : foreign
b. : not native to or naturally belonging in a place : of external origin, kind, or character
2.
a. : not before known, heard, or seen : unfamiliar
b. : exciting wonder or awe : extraordinary
3.
a. : discouraging familiarities : reserved , distant
b. : ill at ease
4. : unaccustomed 2
she was strange to his ways
• strange·ly adverb
Synonyms:
strange , singular , unique , peculiar , eccentric , erratic , odd , quaint , outlandish mean departing from what is ordinary, usual, or to be expected. strange stresses unfamiliarity and may apply to the foreign, the unnatural, the unaccountable
a journey filled with strange sights
singular suggests individuality or puzzling strangeness
a singular feeling of impending disaster
unique implies singularity and the fact of being without a known parallel
a career unique in the annals of science
peculiar implies a marked distinctiveness
the peculiar status of America's first lady
eccentric suggests a wide divergence from the usual or normal especially in behavior
the eccentric eating habits of preschoolers
erratic stresses a capricious and unpredictable wandering or deviating
a friend's suddenly erratic behavior
odd applies to a departure from the regular or expected
an odd sense of humor
quaint suggests an old-fashioned but pleasant oddness
a quaint fishing village
outlandish applies to what is uncouth, bizarre, or barbaric
outlandish fashions of the time
II. noun
Usage: often attributive
Date: 1974
: a fundamental quark that has an electric charge of - 1/3 and a measured energy of approximately 150 MeV ; also : the flavor characterizing this particle