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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 [gcide]:
Stray \Stray\, verb (used without an object) [imp. & p. p. {Strayed}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Straying}.] [OF. estraier, estraer, to stray, or as adjective, stray, fr. (assumed) L. stratarius roving the streets, fr. L. strata (sc. via) a paved road. See {Street}, and {Stray}, adjective]
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 stray. --Shak.
A sheep doth very often stray. --Shak.
3. Figuratively, to wander from the path of duty or rectitude; to err.
We have erred and strayed from thy ways. --??? of Com. Prayer.
While meaner things, whom instinct leads, Are rarely known to stray. --Cowper.
Syn: To deviate; err; swerve; rove; roam; wander.
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Definitions retrieved from local copies of the freely distributed DICT client/server software and databases. Click here for database copyright information. - KM |