stray

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   an animal having no home or having wandered away from home

   A stray kitten turned up at the door looking for food.

2. 2
   verb

   wander from a direct course or at random

   The child strayed from the path and their parents lost sight of them.

3. 3
   noun

   A person who is lost.

   But vvhat a vvretched, and diſconſolate Hermitage is that Houſe, vvhich is not viſited by thee [God], and vvhat a VVayue, and Stray is that Man, that hath not thy Markes vpon him?

4. 4
   noun

   An article of movable property, of which the owner is not known (see waif).

   waifs and strays

5. 5
   noun

   An instance of atmospheric interference.

   This invention relates broadly to radio communication, but more particularly to a radio receiving system used for the reception of high frequency current signals wherever they are subject to interference from "static" or strays of an untuned or aperiodic character.

6. 6
   noun

   Ellipsis of stray bullet.

   catch a stray

7. 7
   verb

   To wander, as from a direct course; to deviate, or go out of the way.

   Thames among the wanton valleys strays.

8. 8
   verb

   To wander from the path of duty or rectitude; to err.

   November 2 2014, Daniel Taylor, "Sergio Agüero strike wins derby for Manchester City against 10-man United," guardian.co.uk It was a derby that left Manchester United a long way back in Manchester City’s wing-mirrors and, in the worst moments, straying dangerously close to being their own worst enemy.

Etymology

From Middle English strayen, partly from Old French estraier, from Vulgar Latin via strata, and partly from Middle English strien, streyen, streyȝen (“to spread, scatter”), from Old English strēġan (“to strew”).