adj. 1 of or from or situated in or characteristic of a country or a language other than one's own. 2 dealing with other countries (foreign service). 3 of another district, society, etc. 4 (often foll. by to) unfamiliar, strange, uncharacteristic (his behaviour is foreign to me). 5 coming from outside (a foreign body lodged in my eye). foreign aid money, food, etc. given or lent by one country to another. foreign exchange 1 the currency of other countries. 2 dealings in these. foreign legion a body of foreign volunteers in an army (esp. the French army). foreign minister (or secretary) a government minister in charge of his or her country's relations with other countries. foreign office a government department dealing with other countries. foreignness n.
[ ME f. OF forein, forain ult. f. L foras, -is outside: for -g- cf. sovereign ]