stray Definition

stray
verb, intr strays, strayed, straying

1. To wander away from the right path or place, usually unintentionally.

Thesaurus: rove, roam, deviate, digress, drift, err, meander, straggle, wander.
2. To move away unintentionally from the main or current topic in thought, speech or writing.

Example: He usually strays a bit from the main topic during a lecture
3. To depart from the accepted or required pattern of behaviour, living, etc.

noun

strays
1. A homeless, ownerless, lost pet, farm animal, child, etc.

adj

1. Said of a pet, farm animal, child, etc: homeless; ownerless; lost.

Example: a stray kitten
Thesaurus: abandoned, lost, vagrant, roaming, wandering.
2. Not the result of a regular or intended process; random; casual.

Example: stray gunfire

Derivative: strayer
noun

Derivative: waifs and strays

See separate entry.

Etymology: 13c: from French estraier to wander.