Stray

Pronunciation

• enPR: strā, IPA: /stɹeɪ/
• Rhymes: -eɪ

Origin

From Middle English, from Old French estraier, and estrai, from Vulgar Latin via strata, paved road

stray in Online Etymology Dictionary

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Full definition of stray

Noun

1. Any domestic animal that has an enclosure, or its proper place and company, and wanders at large, or is lost; an estray.
2. (figuratively) One who is lost, either literally or metaphorically.
3. The act of wandering or going astray.
4. (historical) An area of common land or place administered for the use of general domestic animals, i.e. "the stray"

Related terms

• astray
• estray

Verb

1. (intransitive) To wander, as from a direct course; to deviate, or go out of the way.
• DenhamThames among the wanton valleys strays.
2. (intransitive) To wander from company, or from the proper limits; to rove at large; to roam; to go astray.
3. (intransitive, figurative) To wander from the path of duty or rectitude; to err.
4. (transitive) To cause to stray.
• 1591, William Shakespeare, , V. i. 51:Hath not else his eye
  Strayed his affection in unlawful love,

Synonyms

• deviate

Adjective

1. Having gone astray; strayed; wandering; as, a stray horse or sheep.
2. In the wrong place; misplaced.a stray comma

Derived terms

• stray line
• stray mark

Anagrams

• artsy
• satyr
• trays, T-rays