Definition of stray adjective from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

stray

adjective

/streɪ/

[only before noun]

(of animals normally kept as pets) away from home and lost; having no home
- stray dogs
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separated from other things or people of the same kind
- A civilian was killed by a stray bullet.
- a few stray hairs

Word OriginMiddle English: shortening of Anglo-Norman French and Old French estrayer (verb), Anglo-Norman French strey (noun), partly from astray.

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