strayn.
/streɪ/, U.S. /streɪ/ I. Something that or someone who strays or wanders.
1.
a. Law. A domestic animal found wandering away from the custody of its owner, and liable to be impounded and (if not redeemed) forfeited: = estray n. (For waifs and strays see waif n.1 and adj.)
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > domestic animal > [noun] > pet > stray
stray1498
estray1594
wavenger1825
a1425 ( in J. T. Fowler Memorials Church SS. Peter & Wilfrid, Ripon (1882) I. 57 Et habent catalla felonum,..et wrek et weyf, stray, curiam suam et cognicionem de falso judicio.]
1498–9 in J. T. Fowler Extracts Acct. Rolls Abbey of Durham (1898) I. 194 Rec. 12d. pro una ove vocata a hog capta pro 1 le stray in de Hemyngburgh.
1523 J. Fitzherbert Bk. Surueyeng xx. f. 29 And if no man come within the yere and the day, and to make suffycient proue that the catell is his, than it is forfayte to the lorde as a strey.
15.. Order for Swans §20 Archaeologia 32 427 If the Maister of the Swannes, or his Deputy, do seaze or take vp any Swannes, as strayes for the Kings Maiestie.
1598 J. Manwood Treat. Lawes Forrest xv. f. 86 [The unclaimed beasts] were taken and seised by the Officers of the Forrest, to the vse of the king, as Strayes of the Forrest.
1600 B. Jonson Every Man out of his Humor i. ii. sig. D The Lord of the soile ha's all wefts and straies here? ha's he not? View more context for this quotation
a1634 E. Coke Inst. Lawes Eng. (1648) iv. 280 No Fowle can be a stray but a Swan.
1711 London Gaz. No. 4893/4 A..Horse, and a very little Bay-Nag, were taken up as Strays.
a1807 W. Wordsworth Prelude (1959) v. 156 Some busy helper still is on the watch To drive him back and pound him like a Stray Within the pinfold of his own conceit.
1808 Sporting Mag. 31 25 Cattle or horses, which, under the denomination..of strays or damage~feasant, are impounded by the Lord of the Manor.
b. transferred.
ΚΠ
a1600 T. Deloney Gentle Craft (1652) i. xv. 64 If that your heart be fled away, And it be taken for a stray.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 2 (1623) iv. ix. 25 Heere's the Lord of the soile come to seize me for a stray, for entering his Fee-simple without leaue. View more context for this quotation
1639 T. Fuller Hist. Holy Warre iii. xiii. 130 Leopoldus Duke of Austria..as being Lord of the soil, seised on this Royall stray [sc. Richard I].
1713 Countess of Winchilsea Misc. Poems 259 Shou'd I as a Stray be found, And seiz'd upon forbidden Ground.
2. † b. A person who wanders abroad; one who runs from home or employment. Obsolete.† f. collective. A number of stray beasts; a body of stragglers from an army; figurative those who are astray from the faith. Obsolete.
a. An animal that has strayed or wandered away from its flock, home, or owner.
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the world > animals > domestic animal > [noun] > livestock > member of livestock > that strayed from flock
strayc1440
straggler1848
stranger1852
tailer1893
c1440 Promptorium Parvulorum 478/2 Stray beest þat goethe a-stray, vagula.
1543 in Lett. & Papers Henry VIII XVIII. ii. 118 For drywyn the mor for stras iiij men iij days..to met and wagys iijs. ijd.
a1557 J. Cheke tr. Gospel St. Matthew (1843) xviii. 13 Wold not he leave nijnti and nijn [sheep] on ye hilles, and go to seek ye strai.
1616 W. Browne Britannia's Pastorals II. iv. 98 A youthfull Shepheard..Missing that morne a sheepe out of his Fold, Carefully seeking round to finde his stray.
1792 S. Horsley Serm. (1816) III. xl. 224 Just as the owner of a large flock is solicitous for the recovery of a single stray.
1797 H. Lee Canterbury Tales I. 203 Anxiously had she sought the brood, and most carefully had she replaced the little stray.
1887 F. Francis Saddle & Mocassin 161 One of our steers..that got driven off with a bunch of strays which the San Simon boys was taking back.
1899 Speaker 23 Dec. 309/2 The sheep are folded—all but three ewes a-missing—Davie..speaks in a disconsolate voice of the three strays in the mountain.
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society > travel > aspects of travel > travel in specific course or direction > [noun] > straying or going astray > one who
strayer1519
straggler1530
stray1557
strayling1838
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going away > [noun] > flight or running away > one who runs away > from home or employment
stray1557
1557 Earl of Surrey et al. Songes & Sonettes sig. U.iiv At Bacchus feast none shall her mete..Nor gasyng in an open strete, Nor gaddyng as a stray.
1735 W. Pardon Dyche's New Gen. Eng. Dict. Stray, a..Person that is run away from his Discipline, &c.
c. figurative. One who has gone astray in conduct, opinion, etc.
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society > morality > moral evil > wrong conduct > [noun] > going astray > one who goes astray
strayer1519
by-walker1549
swerver1598
stray1605
lost sheep1611
1605 J. Sylvester tr. Vrania in tr. G. de S. Du Bartas Deuine Weekes & Wks. 535 Anon from error's mazes Keeping th' unsteady, calling back the straies.
a1618 J. Sylvester tr. Little Bartas in tr. G. de S. Du Bartas Diuine Weekes & Wks. (1621) 785 The Spirit..Which brings the Strays home to Thy holy Fold.
1691 T. Shadwell Scowrers v. i. 53 No pow'r but Love could thus call back a stray, From all the crooked Paths, to the right way.
1711 in 10th Rep. Royal Comm. Hist. MSS (1885) App. v. 187 Nor is Heaven such a toy, as to be gained for a song, whatever the strayes of religion think.
1788 D. Gilson Serm. Pract. Subj. ix. 254 Is it [the Church] only to be an open Common—for the reception of every Stray?
d. A homeless, friendless person; an ownerless dog or cat. Also in the phrase waifs and strays: see waif and stray or †straif at waif n.1 1a.
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society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabitant > type of inhabitant generally > [noun] > homeless
Jack out of doors1603
stray1649
street boy1796
street urchin1827
Arab1847
street Arab1853
wastrel1877
street person1907
skell1955
scugnizzo1957
the world > animals > mammals > group Unguiculata or clawed mammal > family Felidae (feline) > felis domesticus (cat) > [noun] > defined by actions or habitat
mouser1440
mouse-taker?c1475
mouse-catcher1611
Kilkenny cat1822
spitfire1825
alley cat1886
stray1892
tiler1905
the world > animals > mammals > group Unguiculata or clawed mammal > family Canidae > dog > [noun] > ownerless
street dog1775
pariah dog1780
pariah1816
pye-dog1864
pye1886
stray1892
1649 Valentine & Orson ix. 43 They uttered forth many reproachful words against him, saying, that..he was but a found stray, poore, base, without any knowne Parents or Friends.
1864 F. W. Robinson Mattie II. 78 A stray whom no one would claim as child, sister, friend.
1889 Harper's Mag. Mar. 545/2 There is also a school for strays and truants..which re-enforces the public schools.
1892 Daily News 2 Apr. 6/6 Greater facilities are now offered than formerly in conveying the strays to the Home [for Lost Dogs].
e. Something that has wandered from its usual or proper place; something separated from the main body; a detached fragment, an isolated specimen.
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the world > relative properties > number > specific numbers > one > condition of being alone > [noun] > isolation > isolated thing
stray1798
isolate1890
1798 S. Lee Young Lady's Tale in H. Lee Canterbury Tales II. 208 It is a stray of my own; composed when I was a little rustic, wandering in the woods.
1824 M. R. Mitford Our Village I. 252 The keys, will sometimes be found, with other strays, in that goodly receptacle.
1866 A. C. Swinburne Poems & Ballads 220 Such dead things..As the sea feeds on, wreck and stray And castaway.
1888 G. B. Goode Amer. Fishes 111 It is certainly not found in the Gulf of Mexico, unless as a stray.
1891 R. L. Stevenson Let. W. C. Angus Apr. in Wks. (1912) XXV. 70 If you will collect the strays of Robin Fergusson, fish for material, collect any last re-echoing gossip, command me to do what you prefer.
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society > faith > aspects of faith > heresy > [noun] > person
dwalec1175
eritec1175
hereticc1330
bugger1340
erege1340
misbelieverc1438
buggeressc1450
bougeron1532
earwig1541
stray1600
male-fidian1659
Zindiq1667
Zendiciana1833
heresy-monger1872
society > armed hostility > warrior > soldier > soldier by position > [noun] > straggler > collectively
stray1600
the world > animals > domestic animal > [noun] > livestock > member of livestock > that strayed from flock > collection of
stray1717
1600 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 2 iv. i. 346 Strike vp our drummes, pursue the scattred stray . View more context for this quotation
1611 J. Speed Hist. Great Brit. ix. vi. 463/1 Restore with me Religion and Discipline to the ancient splendor therof..; reduce the stray, enlighten our ignorance, polish our rudenesse.
1717 J. Addison in J. Dryden et al. tr. Ovid Metamorphoses Transf. Battus [He] cried out, ‘Neighbour, hast thou seen a stray Of bullocks and of heifers pass this way?’
3. (See quot. 1912.)
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the world > matter > physics > electromagnetic radiation > electronics > electronic phenomena > signal > [noun] > unwanted part of signal > types of
stray1901
atmospherics1905
static1905
pickup1925
ambient noise1926
background1927
ground noise1929
hum1929
Johnson noise1929
microphonic1929
thermal noise1930
parasitic1943
flicker noise1947
overhang1971
1901 Westm. Gaz. 16 Dec. 6/3 The general impression in America is..that Marconi has been premature in announcing his success... Thomas Edison..says, ‘Marvellous! marvellous! but let us not forget that there are such things as electric strays.’
1912 Nature 21 Nov. 345/2 Due to atmospheric causes, there is [sic] generally audible in the telephone receiver clicks and noises commonly spoken of as atmospherics or strays.
II. The action of straying or wandering, and related uses.† 4. The action of straying or wandering.For o strai, on (the) stray, out of stray see astray adv.
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society > travel > aspects of travel > travel in specific course or direction > [noun] > straying or going astray
vagationc1340
straya1400
outstray?a1425
will gate1440
out-way going1532
straying1548
out-straying1589
aberrationa1594
estraying1598
taveringa1599
straggling1601
wandering1711
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 6827 Þi faas beist þou findes o strai [Fairf. on stray].
c1400 26 Pol. Poems iv. 14 Stoken in presoun as best fro stray.
c1440 Promptorium Parvulorum 478/2 Stray, or a-stray, vagacio, palacio.
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 277/1 [In ‘Table of Substantives’] Stray wandring, au large.
1535 Act 27 Hen. VIII c. 7 §2 If..any maner of beaste or quycke cattell..come into any of the said forestes by strayes theffe stolen or otherwise.
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 6258 Lokis well to þe listis, þat no lede passe! If any stert vpon stray, strike hym to dethe.
1608 W. Shakespeare King Lear i. 199 I would not from your loue make such a stray, To match you where I hate. View more context for this quotation
1609 W. B. tr. Philosophers Banquet ii. x. f. 66v Yet in his youth was he accessary to the errour of his years, that he followed the whole sway and stray of youth.
1615 R. Brathwait Strappado 10 Lasse it is nothing for maides now adaies For which of them (though modest) hath not straies.
1623 W. Lisle in tr. Ælfric Saxon Treat. Old & New Test. To the Prince xxxv As long as these, and Riuers all else-where, Their moulten Crystall poure by crooked strayes Into the Maine.
1793 Gentleman's Mag. Oct. 913/2 [Art.] A Naturalist's Stray.
5.
a. The right of allowing cattle to stray and feed on common land. northern. Also stray of rabbits (see quot. 1877).
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > farming > farm > farmland > tenure and rights > [noun] > rights
pannage1392
commonc1405
stint1437
agistmenta1450
intercommon1449
commonty1466
foggage1471
communitya1475
gist1493
commoning?a1509
arrentationc1540
wether gang1561
browsage1570
pasturage1572
feed1575
intercommoner1581
frankfold1609
broouage1610
fellow commoner1612
horsegate1619
frankfoldage1628
shack1629
tatha1641
retropannage1679
levancy and couchancya1691
commonance1701
stinter1701
horse-lease1721
stray1736
goose-gate1739
commonage1792
twinter1846
couchance1886
levance1886
sheep-stray1891
stintholder1894
1736 F. Drake Eboracum i. vii. 240 Land..over which the poor freemen of each ward have a particular stray for their cattle from Michaelmas to Lady-day.
1776 Foston Incl. Act 4 Right of stray, or other right.
1828 W. Carr Dial. Craven (ed. 2) Stray, a right of depasturing on commons.
1877 E. Peacock Gloss. Words Manley & Corringham, Lincs. 241/2 Stray of rabbits, the right claimed by certain owners of rabbit-warrens for their rabbits to stray and feed on lands not their own.
1880 Spectator 21 Aug. 1065 The mountain land over which the tenants have had for generations a right of stray for their cattle.
b. A piece of unenclosed land on which there is a common right of pasture: = common n.1 3.At Harrogate, ‘The Stray’ is the name of a large piece of grass land round which the principal houses are built.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > farming > farm > farmland > [noun] > common or unenclosed land
lea805
leasea1000
green1190
common1377
tye1407
common field1523
champaign1555
commons1583
champian1611
commonage1635
commoninga1661
open1733
open field1762
mark1849
veld1852
scat-field1881
stray1889
1889 Harper's Mag. Nov. 843/2 The eight hundred acres, more or less, in six different ‘strays’ without the walls [of York], belonging to the four ancient wards, and on which freemen have exclusive right to depasture their cattle.
6. Nautical. Deviation (of a sounding-line) from the perpendicular: = stray-line n. 2. Also = stray-line n. 1; in combination stray-mark n. ‘the mark at the junction of the stray and log lines’ (Adm. Smyth).
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society > travel > travel by water > vessel, ship, or boat > equipment of vessel > navigational aids > [noun] > sounding-line or -rod > deviation of line from perpendicular
straya1665
stray-line1769
a1665 K. Digby Jrnl. Voy. to Mediterranean (1868) 91 Sounding from a shippe in a forcible gale is very vncertaine, because of the much stray of the line.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1919; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
strayadj.
/streɪ/, U.S. /streɪ/ 1.
a. Of an animal: That has wandered from confinement or control and goes free; that has straggled from a flock; of a domestic animal, etc., that has become homeless or ownerless. †Also rarely of a person.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > domestic animal > [adjective] > stray
estrayed1535
stray1607
estray1789
1607 E. Topsell Hist. Foure-footed Beastes 663 His seruants seeing a stray Sow come among them, the owner whereof they did not know, presently they slew her.
1637 J. Milton Comus 11 If your stray attendance [= attendants] be yet lodg'd Or shroud within these limits.
1671 J. Milton Paradise Regain'd i. 315 An aged man..Following..the quest of some stray Ewe. View more context for this quotation
1832 H. Martineau Life in Wilds v. 58 He saw a herd of buffaloes... Arnall determined that if a stray one came within shot, he would take aim at it.
1875 H. J. S. Maine Lect. Early Hist. Inst. ix. 261 The right of the lawful possessor of land to..impound stray beasts which are damaging his crops.
1908 E. Fowler Between Trent & Ancholme 143 A little stray lamb who left the fold.
b. figurative.
ΚΠ
1749 H. Fielding Tom Jones VI. xviii. viii. 230 Whether the good-natured World will suffer such a stray Sheep to return to the Road of Virtue. View more context for this quotation
1862 E. M. Goulburn Thoughts Personal Relig. (1873) iv. v. 287 To seek the stray sheep in the wilderness of the world.
2. Of a cable: Loose, slack. Cf. stray n. 6 and stray-line n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > constitution of matter > softness > types of softness > [adjective] > slack or not tense
slakec1374
slackc1386
remiss?a1425
loosec1460
relax1605
lax1660
stray1791
relaxed1825
unstraitened1859
unstrained1882
tensionless1905
1791 J. Smeaton Narr. Edystone Lighthouse §128 Hill's company were employed on board the buss, heaving the stray cable [etc.].
3. Of a person or thing: Separated from the main body; occurring away from the regular course or habitat; isolated.
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > social relations > lack of social communication or relations > separation or isolation > [adjective]
solec1407
separate1600
sequestereda1616
unconjunctive1643
recluse1656
separated1730
removed1766
insulated1781
stray1796
insulate1803
isolated1811
Robinson Crusoe1823
incommunicado1844
shut-out1853
isolate1854
marooned1883
cut-off1894
shut-away1911
shut-off1913
splitsville1964
1796–1842 W. Wordsworth Borderers ii. 766 I was going To waken our stray Baron.
a1834 J. H. Newman Parochial Serm. (1836) III. xxii. 360 In the cavern, or the desert, or the mountain, where God's stray servants lived.
1837 T. Carlyle French Revol. I. v. vi. 265 Their infinite hum waxing ever louder, into imprecations, perhaps into crackle of stray musketry.
1849 W. S. Mayo Kaloolah (1850) vii. 65 The little medical knowledge that I had picked up by stray reading.
1867 H. Latham Black & White 22 In one of the corridors we fell in with a stray Professor, who..showed us over the whole building.
1872 H. I. Jenkinson Guide Eng. Lake District 293 The desolate grandeur of the scenery which there meets the eye of the stray visitor.
1873 H. B. Tristram Land of Moab iii. 39 Not even a stray salsola or salicornia to relieve the flat sand beds.
1907 J. A. Hodges Elem. Photogr. (ed. 6) 33 The detection of stray beams of light coming from chinks and cracks in the door.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > aspects of travel > travel from place to place > [adjective]
walkingc1390
arrant1550
ambulatory1604
itinerating1611
itinerary1617
stray1620
strolling1621
itineral1627
itineratea1628
perambulatory1650
peregrinatory1773
obambulatory1855
perambulant1865
perambulating1926
1620 in Southampton Court Leet Rec. (1907) I. 578 The spoyle therof is Cheifelie occasioned by the sufferinge of Straye players to acte their enterludes ther.
5. (See quots.)
ΚΠ
1893 T. O'C. Sloane Standard Electr. Dict. 495 Stray Field. In a dynamo or motor the portion of the field whose lines of force are not cut by the armature windings.
1893 T. O'C. Sloane Standard Electr. Dict. 495 Stray Power. The proportion of the energy wasted in driving a dynamo, lost through friction and other hurtful resistances.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1919; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
strayv.1
/streɪ/, U.S. /streɪ/ Obsolete exc. dialect.
transitive. To strew.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > arrangement or fact of being arranged > state of being scattered or dispersed > scatter [verb (transitive)] > scatter loosely or strew
strew971
strayOE
strawc1175
instriec1420
streak?c1440
overstrewc1450
straw1549
bestrew1667
spurna1722
OE Seafarer 97 Þeah þe græf wille golde stregan broþor his geborenum, byrgan be deadum, maþmum mislicum þæt hine mid wille, ne mæg þære sawle þe biþ synna ful gold to geoce for godes egsan.
c1440 Pallad. on Husb. iv. 670 For rayn, in sonne yf thou ne mayst hem drie, Hote askis may this fleykis vnder strie In house in stede of sonne.
c1440 Pallad. on Husb. xii. 381, 507.
1560 in T. Wright Churchwardens' Accts. Ludlow (1869) 95 For russes to straye the seate before the pilpett.
1658 W. Johnson tr. F. Würtz Surgeons Guid i. iv. 13 They cause thereby infinite wrongs,..as if they had strayed the wounds full of venom.
1658 W. Johnson tr. F. Würtz Surgeons Guid i. iv. 13 When you stray that pouder into [it.]
1658 W. Johnson tr. F. Würtz Surgeons Guid i. iv. 13 Must not the wound being straid full, be bound up.
1658 W. Johnson tr. F. Würtz Surgeons Guid i. iv. 14 The in-strayed pouder.
1886 R. Holland Gloss. Words County of Chester Stray, to strew, to scatter.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1919; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
strayv.2
/streɪ/, U.S. /streɪ/ 1.
a. intransitive. To escape from confinement or control, to wander away from a place, one's companions, etc. Const. from, into, also with abroad, away, off.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > safety > escape > [verb (intransitive)] > from confinement
atburstc1000
outbreakOE
strayc1330
aventc1375
twinc1386
out-wina1425
to break away1535
disengage1647
to break bounds1816
to cut loose1828
society > travel > aspects of travel > travel in specific course or direction > direct one's course [verb (intransitive)] > stray or go astray
dwelec900
miswendOE
to fare astray (misliche, amiss)c1175
to step astray, awry, beside1297
weyec1315
outrayc1330
strayc1330
waivea1375
forvay1390
outwandera1400
stragglea1425
waverc1485
wander?1507
swerve1543
wift?a1560
random1561
estray1572
egar1584
to go a-strayinga1586
to step aside1787
err1819
moider1839
maverick1910
c1330 R. Mannyng Chron. Wace (Rolls) 12878 God tent til al his men he tok, When þey astraied, whideward [v.r. where þei straied whidire] þey schok.
1338 R. Mannyng Chron. (1725) 219 [L. Edwardus evasit de carcere Herfordiæ.] In to þe watere he straied, & passed wele þat flode.
c1400 (?c1380) Cleanness l. 1199 And þay stoken so strayt, þat þay ne stray myȝt A fote fro þat forselet to forray no goudes.
c1450 Cov. Myst. (1841) 74 Go do what ȝe lyst; se ȝour bestys not stray.
a1513 R. Fabyan New Cronycles Eng. & Fraunce (1516) II. f. cxxi Sir Iohn de Uyenne encountred .l. Sperys, and .xx. Archers that were strayed frome theyr hoste.
1573 T. Tusser Fiue Hundreth Points Good Husbandry (new ed.) f. 18v Go stie vp thy bore, least straying abrode, ye do see him no more.
1590 J. Smythe Certain Disc. Weapons 11 b That no man vpon paine of death being landed, shall straggle or stray abroad.
1653 W. Ramesey Astrologia Restaurata 173 If thou wouldst buy..Swans..to remain or keep from straying, let Scorpio be preferred.
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost iii. 476 Here Pilgrims roam, that stray'd so farr to seek In Golgotha him dead, who lives in Heav'n. View more context for this quotation
1713 A. Pope Windsor-Forest 8 Here, as old Bards have sung, Diana stray'd.
a1717 W. Diaper tr. Oppian Halieuticks (1722) i. 29 Sea-Calves by Night far from the Waters stray.
1831 G. P. R. James Philip Augustus I. ii Has thy falcon strayed? Say, 'twas a vile bird..and call it a good loss.
1879 J. A. Froude Cæsar xvii. 287 To keep the legion within the lines, and not to allow any of the men to stray.
1888 ‘J. S. Winter’ Bootle's Children ix. 63 The four elder children had strayed off to the hall to see what was going on there.
b. of an inanimate thing.
ΚΠ
c1400 (?c1380) Pearl l. 1173 My hede vpon þat hylle was layde, Þer as my perle to grounde strayd.
1558 T. Phaer tr. Virgil Seuen First Bks. Eneidos vii. sig. T.iijv Poison..Whiche from that serpent shed, & al her lymmes infecting straied.
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics ii, in tr. Virgil Wks. 86 Be bold To lop the disobedient Boughs, that stray'd Beyond their Ranks. View more context for this quotation
a1771 T. Gray Imit. Propertius in Wks. (1884) I. 153 If the loose Curls around her Forehead play, Or lawless, o'er their Ivory Margin stray.
1855 D. T. Ansted in Orr's Circle Sci.: Inorg. Nature 43 It has been assumed..that the earth was originally in a state of igneous fusion, from which it has cooled down by radiation... No one, however, has explained where this lost heat has strayed.
1870 J. H. Burton Hist. Scotl. to 1688 V. lvi. 369 The town had strayed beyond the wall built round it after the defeat at Flodden.
1908 E. Fowler Between Trent & Ancholme 13 The Vines strayed down the west side of the old paddock wall.
2. † d. transitive. To wander in, over, or through (a place). Also, to cause (the eye) to wander (over something). Obsolete or nonce-uses.
a. To wander up and down free from control, to roam about. Const. about, along, in, through (a place); also with about adv.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > aspects of travel > travel from place to place > [verb (intransitive)] > with no fixed aim or wander > at large or without control
straya1398
expatiatea1552
extravagate1766
a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus De Proprietatibus Rerum (BL Add. 27944) (1975) II. xv. lxix. 765 Bisides þise men wonen Gaulon men þat streccheþ fro þe souþe to þe Hespery occean, þe whiche men goon aboute and stray in desert [L. pervagans in desertis & discurrens].
c1425 Castle Persev. 2052 in Macro Plays 138 Hys enmys strayen in þe strete, to spylle man with spetows spot.
c1440 Promptorium Parvulorum 478/2 Strayyn, or gon a-stray, palo, vagor.
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 738/1 I straye, I wander about and wot nat whyther I go, je erre... Yet the boye strayeth alone some where, God gyve grace that a beggar mete nat with him.
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 738/1 I stray about, as a masterlesse parson doth, je vagabonde... He doth nought but stray abowt and wyll do no labour in the worlde.
1561 T. Hoby in tr. B. Castiglione Courtyer Ep. Translatour sig. A.iii This Courtier hath long straid about this realme.
1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene i. iii. sig. C2 Yet she..Far from all peoples preace, as in exile, In wildernesse and wastfull deserts strayd, To seeke her knight.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Tempest (1623) i. ii. 420 He hath lost his fellowes, And strayes about to finde 'em. View more context for this quotation
1645 J. Milton L'Allegro in Poems 33 Russet Lawns, and Fallows Gray, Where the nibling flocks do stray.
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iv, in tr. Virgil Wks. 127 When the Swarms are eager of their play, And loath their empty Hives, and idly stray . View more context for this quotation
1747 T. Gray Ode Eton Coll. 4 Ah Fields belov'd in vain, Where once my careless Childhood stray'd.
1789 W. L. Bowles Sonn. Cherwell Cherwell, how pleas'd along thy willow'd edge Erewhile I stray'd.
1850 Ld. Tennyson In Memoriam c. 154 Yea, but here Thy feet have stray'd in after hours With thy lost friend among the bowers. View more context for this quotation
1867 A. J. Evans St. Elmo iii. 36 But you are too young to be straying about in a strange place.
b. of an inanimate thing, the fingers, etc. Also figurative of a person, his thoughts, wishes, etc.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > change of direction of movement > change direction of movement [verb (intransitive)] > move without fixed course
stragglea1425
ambulate1598
random?1602
stray1647
stimmer1808
knocka1825
moil1889
1647 A. Cowley Change in Mistress i Love walks the pleasant Mazes of her Hair; Love does on both her Lips for ever stray.
1751 T. Gray Elegy xix. 9 Their sober wishes never learn'd to stray.
1789 W. Cowper Annus Memorabilis 22 As the bee..So I from theme to theme display'd In many a page historic stray'd.
18.. P. B. Shelley Queen of my Heart iii How I love to gaze As the cold ray strays O'er thy face.
1831 G. P. R. James Philip Augustus I. iv Through the mazes of whose hair his other hand was straying.
1842 R. Browning Pied Piper of Hamelin in Bells & Pomegranates No. III: Dramatic Lyrics vi And his fingers, they noticed, were ever straying As if impatient to be playing Upon this pipe.
1873 A. Helps Some Talk about Animals & their Masters i. 27 It strays from one topic to another, in the most eccentric fashion.
1885 ‘Mrs. Alexander’ At Bay i. 16 Again her deft fingers strayed over the notes.
1909 Stacpoole Pools of Silence xxx These thoughts..just came and strayed across his mind.
c. Of a stream: To meander.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > water > rivers and streams > action of river > flow (of river) [verb (intransitive)] > meander
foldc1420
meander1613
straya1616
wire1633
wriggle1640
wimple1720
a1616 W. Shakespeare Two Gentlemen of Verona (1623) ii. vii. 31 And so by many winding nookes he [sc. the current] straies..to the wilde Ocean. View more context for this quotation
1642 J. Denham Cooper's Hill 10 Where Thames amongst the wanton valleyes strayes.
1700 J. Dryden tr. Ovid Acis & Galatea 78 More clear than Ice, or running Streams, that stray Through Garden Plots.
1757 T. Gray Ode I iii. i, in Odes 9 What time, where lucid Avon stray'd, To Him the mighty Mother did unveil Her aweful face.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (transitive)] > cause (the eye) to wander
stray1613
society > travel > aspects of travel > travel from place to place > [verb (transitive)] > wander (one's way, etc.) > wander in, over, or about
peramble1508
rove1537
wander?1573
enrange1596
roam1603
stray1613
ramble1679
raika1730
overwander1821
pervagate1871
1613 T. Heywood Siluer Age iii. sig. G His maw vnstaunch't He still the thicke Nemean groues doth stray.
1729 R. Savage Wanderer ii. 106 To his my Sighs, to his my Tears reply! I stray o'er all the Tomb a watry Eye!
1844 A. Maclagan Sc. Blue-bell 29 How oft wi' rapture ha'e I strayed The mountain's heather crest.
3. intransitive. To wander from the direct way, deviate.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > aspects of travel > travel in specific course or direction > direct one's course [verb (intransitive)] > change course or turn off > diverge from direct course
swervec1330
digress1552
stray1561
deviate1635
slant1702
diverge1856
excurse1891
1561 T. Hoby tr. B. Castiglione Courtyer i. sig. F.ii As he that walketh in the darke..and therefore many times strayeth from the right waye.
1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene i. i. sig. A4 When weening to returne, whence they did stray, They cannot finde that path.
1597 W. Shakespeare Richard II i. iii. 199 Farewell (my Liege) now no way can I stray, Saue backe to England al the worlds my way. View more context for this quotation
1604 E. Grimeston tr. J. de Acosta Nat. & Morall Hist. Indies iv. xxx. 291 Being straied in the mountaines, not knowing which way he shoulde passe.
1912 J. L. Myres Dawn of Hist. ix. 191 A strong inducement to the nomad to stray into the richer pasture.
4. figurative.† c. transitive (causative.) To cause to err or deviate; to distract. Obsolete.
a. To wander from the path of rectitude, to err.
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > moral evil > wrong conduct > act wrongly or immorally [verb (intransitive)] > err or go wrong or astray
misfareeOE
wanderc897
dwelec900
miswendOE
misfereOE
misnimc1225
failc1290
to go willa1300
misgoc1300
misstepc1300
errc1315
strayc1325
folly1357
wryc1369
crookc1380
miscarryc1390
ravec1390
astray1393
forloinc1400
delire?a1475
to go wrong?1507
to tread the shoe awrya1542
swerve1576
prevaricate1582
tread awrya1625
c1325 Metr. Hom. (1862) 52 Bot in our gat lis Satenas..And spies ful gern ef we straye, And haldes noht the riht way.
1457 J. Hardyng Chron. in Eng. Hist. Rev. (1912) Oct. 740 Scotland hool, which shulde your Reule obaye As Souereyn lorde, for whiche thay prowdly stray.
1548 N. Udall et al. tr. Erasmus Paraphr. Newe Test. I. Luke xxii. 54–62 Neither was he lyke to haue made any ende of straying out of the righte waye.
1552 Bk. Common Prayer (STC 16279) Morninge Prayer sig. .ii We haue erred and strayed from thy wayes, lyke loste shepe.
1690 M. Prior Consid. 88th Psalm iii Nor refuge could I find, nor friend abroad, Straying in vice, and destitute of God.
1714 A. Pope Rape of Lock (new ed.) i. 6 Oft when the World imagine Women stray, The Sylphs thro' mystick Mazes guide their Way.
1780 W. Cowper Doves i Reas'ning..Man yet mistakes his way, While meaner things, whom instinct leads, Are rarely known to stray.
1831 N. P. Willis Poem at Brown University 32 A heavenward spirit, straying oftentimes, But never widely.
1902 V. Jacob Sheep-stealers xii It was the direst necessity which had induced George Williams to stray so far across the line of honesty.
b. To wander or deviate in mind, purpose, etc. Said also of the mind or thoughts.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > inaction > not doing > abstaining or refraining from action > abstain or refrain from action [verb (intransitive)] > avoid > turn aside from a course of action
wanderc897
haltc900
flitc1175
misdrawc1300
err1303
convertc1374
foldc1380
stray1390
astray1393
swaver?a1400
to fall from ——a1425
recedec1450
depart1535
swervea1547
fag1555
flinch1578
exorbitate1600
extravagate1600
discoasta1677
tralineate1700
aberrate1749
1390 J. Gower Confessio Amantis III. 371 I was out of mi sounee affraied, Wherof I sih my wittes straied, And gan to wclepe hem hom ayein.
1577 J. Grange Golden Aphroditis sig. Lj But why seeme I thus to stray from my texte?
1581 G. Pettie tr. S. Guazzo Ciuile Conuersat. (1586) ii. 56 b It is a thing unseemely..in talke to straye to farre from fit and usuall matters.
1711 A. Pope Ess. Crit. 8 Then Criticism the Muses Handmaid prov'd, To dress her Charms, and make her more belov'd; But following Wits from that Intention stray'd.
1766 O. Goldsmith Vicar of Wakefield I. xiv. 138 But, Sir, I ask pardon, I am straying from the question.
1813 W. Scott Rokeby i. 18 Still from the purpose wilt thou stray! Good gentle friend, how went the day?
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > moral evil > moral or spiritual degeneration > degrading or impairing morally > degrade or impair morally [verb (transitive)] > cause to lapse or stumble
slander1382
offend1526
stray1561
err1632
scandal1632
lapse1664
1561 T. Hoby tr. B. Castiglione Courtyer iii. sig. H.iiiiv We shall know..as touchinge ye vnderstanding of great matters, that they do not stray our wittes, but rather quicken them.
1561 T. Hoby tr. B. Castiglione Courtyer iii. sig. Ii.iv The loue of the Damsell Laura sometime strayed him from it.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Comedy of Errors (1623) v. i. 51 Hath not else his eye Stray'd his affection in vnlawfull loue? View more context for this quotation
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1919; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.a1400
adj.1607v.1OEv.2c1325