/ streɪ; NAmE / verb , adjective , noun
■ verb [ v ]
1.
[usually + adv. / prep. ] to move away from the place where you should be, without intending to :
He strayed into the path of an oncoming car.
Her eyes kept straying over to the clock on the wall.
2.
[usually + adv. / prep. ] to begin to think about or discuss a different subject from the one you should be thinking about or discussing :
My mind kept straying back to our last talk together.
We seem to be straying from the main theme of the debate.
3.
( of a person who is married or in a relationship ) to have a sexual relationship with sb who is not your usual partner
■ adjective [ only before noun ]
1.
( of animals normally kept as pets ) away from home and lost; having no home :
stray dogs
2.
separated from other things or people of the same kind :
A civilian was killed by a stray bullet .
a few stray hairs
■ noun
1.
an animal that has got lost or separated from its owner or that has no owner
—see also waif
2.
a person or thing that is not in the right place or is separated from others of the same kind
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : shortening of Anglo-Norman French and Old French estrayer (verb), Anglo-Norman French strey (noun), partly from astray .