Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Stray
Stray
,Verb.
I.
[
imp. & p. p.
Strayed
; p. pr. & vb. n.
Straying
.] 1.
To wander, as from a direct course; to deviate, or go out of the way.
Thames among the wanton valleys
strays
. Denham.
2.
To wander from company, or from the proper limits; to rove at large; to roam; to go astray.
Now, until the break of day,
Through this house each fairy
Through this house each fairy
stray
. Shakespeare
A sheep doth very often
stray
. Shakespeare
3.
Figuratively, to wander from the path of duty or rectitude; to err.
We have erred and
strayed
from thy ways. [GREEK][GREEK][GREEK] of Com. Prayer.
While meaner things, whom instinct leads,
Are rarely known to
Are rarely known to
stray
. Cowper.
Syn. – To deviate; err; swerve; rove; roam; wander.
Stray
,Verb.
T.
To cause to stray.
[Obs.]
Shak.
Stray
,Adj.
Having gone astray; strayed; wandering;
as, a
. stray
horse or sheepStray line
(Naut.)
, that portion of the log line which is veered from the reel to allow the chip to get clear of the stern eddies before the glass is turned.
– Stray mark
(Naut.)
, the mark indicating the end of the stray line.
Stray
,Noun.
1.
Any domestic animal that has an inclosure, or its proper place and company, and wanders at large, or is lost; an estray. Used also figuratively.
Seeing him wander about, I took him up for a
stray
. Dryden.
2.
The act of wandering or going astray.
[R.]
Shak.
Webster 1828 Edition
Stray
STRAY
,Verb.
I.
1.
To wander, as from a direct course; to deviate or go out of the way. We say, to stray from the path or road into the forest or wood.2.
To wander from company, or from the proper limits; as, a sheep strays from the flock; a horse strays from an inclosure.3.
To rove; to wander from the path of duty or rectitude; to err; to deviate.We have erred and strayed--
4.
To wander; to rove at large; to play free and unconfined.Lo, the glad gales oer all her beauties stray, breathe on her lips and in her bosom play.
5.
To wander; to run a serpentine course.Where Thames among the wanton valley strays.
STRAY
,Verb.
T.
STRAY
,Noun.
1.
Any domestic animal that has left an inclosure or its proper place and company, and wanders at large or is lost. The laws provide that strays shall be taken up, impounded and advertised.Seeing him wander about, I took him up for a stray.
2.
The act of wandering. [Little used.]Definition 2024
stray
stray
English
A stray dog wanders the streets.
Noun
stray (plural strays)
- Any domestic animal that has no enclosure, or its proper place and company, and wanders at large, or is lost; an estray.
- (figuratively) One who is lost, either literally or metaphorically.
- The act of wandering or going astray.
- (historical) An area of common land or place administered for the use of general domestic animals, i.e. "the stray"
Hyponyms
- (stray cats) See feral cat
Related terms
Translations
domestic animal at large or lost
|
act of wandering or going astray
Verb
stray (third-person singular simple present strays, present participle straying, simple past and past participle strayed)
- (intransitive) To wander, as from a direct course; to deviate, or go out of the way.
- Denham
- Thames among the wanton valleys strays.
- Denham
- (intransitive) To wander from company, or from the proper limits; to rove at large; to roam; to go astray.
- (intransitive, figuratively) 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.
- November 2 2014, Daniel Taylor, "Sergio Agüero strike wins derby for Manchester City against 10-man United," guardian.co.uk
- (transitive) To cause to stray.
- 1591, William Shakespeare, The Comedy of Errors, V. i. 51:
- Hath not else his eye / Strayed his affection in unlawful love,
- 1591, William Shakespeare, The Comedy of Errors, V. i. 51:
Translations
to wander from a direct course
to wander from company or from proper limits
figuratively: to err
Synonyms
Adjective
stray (not comparable)
- Having gone astray; strayed; wandering; as, a stray horse or sheep.
- In the wrong place; misplaced.
- a stray comma
Derived terms
- stray line
- stray mark
Translations
having gone astray
|