v.
- move away aimlessly from a group or from the right course or place.
▸(of the eyes or a hand) move idly in a specified direction.
- be unfaithful to a spouse or partner.
adj.
- not in the right place; separated from a group.
- (of a domestic animal) having no home or having wandered away from home.
- Physics arising naturally but unwanted and usually detrimental:
stray voltages.
n.
- a stray person or thing, especially a domestic animal.
-
(strays)
electrical phenomena interfering with radio reception.
Derivative
Etymology
ME: shortening of Anglo-Norman Fr. and OFr. estrayer (v.), Anglo-Norman Fr. strey (n.), partly from astray.