Waif
[weɪf] or [wef]
Definition
(noun.) a homeless child especially one forsaken or orphaned; 'street children beg or steal in order to survive'.
Typed by Ann--From WordNet
Definition
(n.) Goods found of which the owner is not known; originally, such goods as a pursued thief threw away to prevent being apprehended, which belonged to the king unless the owner made pursuit of the felon, took him, and brought him to justice.
(n.) Hence, anything found, or without an owner; that which comes along, as it were, by chance.
(n.) A wanderer; a castaway; a stray; a homeless child.
Edited by Alexander
Synonyms and Synonymous
n. Estray.
Typist: Vern
Definition
n. a stray article: anything found astray without an owner: a worthless wanderer.—adj. vagabond worthless.
Inputed by Glenda
Unserious Contents or Definition
To dream of a waif, denotes personal difficulties, and especial ill-luck in business.
Checked by Hugo
Examples
- How should there be any, seeing that the old hard jailer of Harmony Jail had coined every waif and stray into money, long before? Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- Could she be happy with this jungle waif? Edgar Rice Burroughs. Tarzan of the Apes.
- I am such a waif and stray everywhere, that I am liable to be drifted where any current may set. Charles Dickens. Little Dorrit.
Editor: Warren