Main Entry: for·eign

Pronunciation: \ˈfȯr-ən, ˈfär-\

Function: adjective

Etymology: Middle English forein, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin foranus on the outside, from Latin foris outside — more at forum

Date: 13th century

1 : situated outside a place or country; especially : situated outside one's own country
2 : born in, belonging to, or characteristic of some place or country other than the one under consideration
3 : of, relating to, or proceeding from some other person or material thing than the one under consideration
4 : alien in character : not connected or pertinent
5 : related to or dealing with other nations
6 a : occurring in an abnormal situation in the living body and often introduced from outside <a foreign body lodged in the esophagus> b : not recognized by the immune system as part of the self <foreign proteins>
7 : not being within the jurisdiction of a political unit (as a state)

synonyms see extrinsic

— for·eign·ness \-ən-nəs\ noun