ˈeɪljən adj. & n. --adj. 1 a (often foll. by to)
unfamiliar;
not in
accordance or
harmony;
unfriendly,
hostile;
unacceptable or
repugnant (army
discipline was alien to
him;
struck an alien note). b (often foll. by from)
different or separated. 2
foreign;
from a foreign
country (help from alien powers). 3 of or relating to beings
supposedly from
other worlds. 4
Bot. (of a plant) introduced from
elsewhere and naturalized in
its new home. --n. 1 a
foreigner,
esp.
one who is not a naturalized
citizen of
the country
where he or
she is
living. 2 a
being from
another world. 3 Bot. an alien
plant. øøalienness n. [ME f. OF f. L alienus belonging to another (alius)]