— strangerlike , adj.
/strayn"jeuhr/ , n.
1. a person with whom one has had no personal acquaintance: He is a perfect stranger to me.
2. a newcomer in a place or locality: a stranger in town.
3. an outsider: They want no strangers in on the club meetings.
4. a person who is unacquainted with or unaccustomed to something (usually fol. by to ): He is no stranger to poverty.
5. a person who is not a member of the family, group, community, or the like, as a visitor or guest: Our town shows hospitality to strangers.
6. Law. one not privy or party to an act, proceeding, etc.
[ 1325-75; ME estrangier, equiv. to estrange STRANGE + -ier -IER 2 ]
Syn. 1, 5. STRANGER, ALIEN, FOREIGNER all refer to someone regarded as outside of or distinct from a particular group. STRANGER may apply to one who does not belong to some group - social, professional, national, etc. - or may apply to a person with whom one is not acquainted. ALIEN emphasizes a difference in political allegiance and citizenship from that of the country in which one is living. FOREIGNER emphasizes a difference in language, customs, and background.
Ant. 1. acquaintance.