straying

stray  (str)

intr.v. strayed, stray·ing, strays

1.

a. To move away from a group, deviate from the correct course, or go beyond established limits.

b. To become lost.

2. To wander about without a destination or purpose; roam. See Synonyms at wander.

3. To follow a winding course; meander.

4. To deviate from a moral, proper, or right course; err.

5. To become diverted from a subject or train of thought; digress. See Synonyms at swerve.

n.

One that has strayed, especially a domestic animal wandering about.

adj.

1. Straying or having strayed; wandering or lost: stray cats and dogs.

2. Scattered or separate: a few stray crumbs.

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[Middle English straien, from Old French estraier, from estree, highway, from Latin strta; see street.]

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strayer n.

Thesaurus

Adj.

1.

straying - unable to find your way; "found the straying sheep" lost - no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered; "a lost child"; "lost friends"; "his lost book"; "lost opportunities"