estranging

2 definitions found

estranging - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Estrange \Es*trange"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Estranged; p. pr. &
     vb. n. Estranging.] [OF. estrangier to remove, F.
     ['e]tranger, 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.
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              We must estrange our belief from everything which is
              not clearly and distinctly evidenced. --Glanvill.
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              Had we . . . estranged ourselves from them in things
              indifferent.                          --Hooker.
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     2. To divert from its original use or purpose, or from its
        former possessor; to alienate.
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              They . . . have estranged this place, and have
              burned incense in it unto other gods. --Jer. xix. 4.
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     3. To alienate the affections or confidence of; to turn from
        attachment to enmity or indifference.
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              I do not know, to this hour, what it is that has
              estranged him from me.                --Pope.
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              He . . . had pretended to be estranged from the
              Whigs, and had promised to act as a spy upon them.
                                                    --Macaulay.
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estranging - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  estranging
      adj 1: making one feel out of place or alienated; "the landscape
             was estranging"