Strayed

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Stray \Stray\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Strayed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
     {Straying}.] [OF. estraier, estraer, to stray, or as adj.,
     stray, fr. (assumed) L. stratarius roving the streets, fr. L.
     strata (sc. via) a paved road. See {Street}, and {Stray}, a.]
     1. To wander, as from a direct course; to deviate, or go out
        of the way.


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              Thames among the wanton valleys strays. --Denham.
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     2. To wander from company, or from the proper limits; to rove
        at large; to roam; to go astray.
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              Now, until the break of day,
              Through this house each fairy stray.  --Shak.
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              A sheep doth very often stray.        --Shak.
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     3. Figuratively, to wander from the path of duty or
        rectitude; to err.
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              We have erred and strayed from thy ways. --??? of
                                                    Com. Prayer.
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              While meaner things, whom instinct leads,
              Are rarely known to stray.            --Cowper.
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     Syn: To deviate; err; swerve; rove; roam; wander.
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