intransitive verb

1. to wander from a given place, limited area, direct course, etc., esp. aimlessly; roam; rove
2. to go wrong; be in error; deviate (from what is right)
3. to fail to concentrate; be inattentive or digress

Etymology: ME straien < OFr estraier < estrée, road, street < LL strata, street

noun

1. a person or thing that strays; esp., a domestic animal wandering at large
2. static interfering with radio reception

adjective

1. having strayed or wandered; lost
2. occurring alone or infrequently; isolated; incidental a few stray words