See Also: Stray(money)
stray(4)(dictionary)
stray(3)(dictionary)
stray(2)(dictionary)
stray(1)(dictionary)
Stray(finance)
stray 1, verb(dictionary)
stray 2, adjective(dictionary)
stray 3, noun(dictionary)
Redcar-Stray Beach(tourism)

stray(4) (iou)



stray verb2. ME.
[Aphet. from Anglo-Norman, Old French estraier, estrayer: see ASTRAY.]
verb intrans. Escape from confinement or control, wander away from a place, move or extend outside some definite area; become lost or separated from others; euphem. be stolen. (Foll. by from, into, away, off, etc.) ME.
J. H. Burton The town had strayed beyond the wall built round it. K. Grahame He's always straying off and getting lost. E. Waugh Strands of barbed wire..strayed across the ground.
verb intrans. Wander from the direct way, deviate. Chiefly fig., wander from the path of rectitude, err; wander or deviate in conduct, belief, purpose, etc. LME.
Goldsmith I ask pardon, I am straying from the question.
b. verb trans. Lead astray, distract. M-L16.
verb intrans. Wander up and down free from control, roam about. (Foll. by about, along, in, through, etc.) LME.
R. Macaulay We..strayed among deep woods and ravines.
b. Of a stream: meander. poet. Now rare. L16.
c. Of the eyes, the fingers, a person's thoughts, wishes, etc.: wander idly, pass casually from one thing to another. M17.
Browning His fingers..were ever straying As if impatient to be playing Upon this pipe. G. Vidal My eyes continually strayed back to my brother.
verb trans. Wander in, over, or through (a place). Also, cause (the eye) to wander (over something). poet. rare. E17.
A. Maclagan How oft..ha'e I strayed The mountain's heather crest.
strayaway noun (poet., rare) an animal that strays away E19.
strayed ppl adjective that has gone astray (lit. & fig.) E16.
strayer noun LME.