— estrangement , n. — estranger , n.
/i straynj"/ , v.t., estranged, estranging .
1. to turn away in feeling or affection; make unfriendly or hostile; alienate the affections of: Their quarrel estranged the two friends.
2. to remove to or keep at a distance: The necessity for traveling on business has estranged him from his family.
3. to divert from the original use or possessor.
[ 1475-85; estranger; c. Pg estranhar, Sp estrañar, It straniare exstraneare to treat as a stranger. See STRANGE ]
Syn . ESTRANGE, ALIENATE, DISAFFECT share the sense of causing (someone) to turn away from a previously held state of affection, comradeship, or allegiance. ESTRANGE often implies replacement of love or belonging by apathy or hostility: erstwhile lovers estranged by a misunderstanding. ALIENATE often calls attention to the cause of antagonism or separation: His inconsiderate behavior alienated both friends and family. DISAFFECT usually refers to relationships involving allegiance or loyalty rather than love or affection: disaffected workers, demoralized by ill-considered management policies.