stray

== English == === Pronunciation === enPR: strā, IPA(key): /stɹeɪ/ Rhymes: -eɪ === Etymology 1 === From Middle English stray, strey, from Anglo-Norman estray, stray, Old French estrai, from the verb (see below). ==== Noun ==== stray (plural strays) Any domestic animal that lacks an enclosure, proper place, or company, but that instead wanders at large or is lost; an estray. (literally or figuratively) A person who is lost. An act of wandering off or going astray. (historical) An area of common land for use by domestic animals. (UK, law, archaic) An article of movable property, of which the owner is not known (see waif). (radio) An instance of atmospheric interference. (slang) A casual or offhand insult. (BDSM) A submissive that has not committed to submit to any particular dominant, particulary in petplay. Antonym: collared (adjective) Ellipsis of stray bullet. ===== Derived terms ===== catch a stray ===== Related terms ===== astray estray ===== Translations ===== === Etymology 2 === 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”). ==== 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. (intransitive) To wander from company or outside proper limits; to rove or roam at large; to go astray. (intransitive) 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. (transitive) To cause to stray; lead astray. ===== Derived terms ===== ===== Translations ===== === Etymology 3 === From Middle English stray, from the noun (see above). ==== Adjective ==== stray (comparative more stray or strayer, superlative most stray or strayest) Having gone astray; strayed; wandering. In the wrong place; misplaced. ===== Derived terms ===== ===== Translations ===== === References === === Anagrams === T-rays, artsy, satyr, stary, trays, yrast == Middle English == === Noun === stray (Early Scots, West Riding) alternative form of stro