Es*trange" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Estranged (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Estranging.] [OF. estrangier to remove, F. 'etranger, L. extraneare to treat as a stranger, from extraneus strange. See Strange.]

1.

To withdraw; to withhold; hence, reflexively, to keep at a distance; to cease to be familiar and friendly with.

We must estrange our belief from everything which is not clearly and distinctly evidenced. Glanvill.

Had we . . . estranged ourselves from them in things indifferent. Hooker.

2.

To divert from its original use or purpose, or from its former possessor; to alienate.

They . . . have estranged this place, and have burned incense in it unto other gods. Jer. xix. 4.

3.

To alienate the affections or confidence of; to turn from attachment to enmity or indifference.

I do not know, to this hour, what it is that has estranged him from me. Pope.

He . . . had pretended to be estranged from the Whigs, and had promised to act as a spy upon them. Macaulay.

 

© Webster 1913.

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