Emily Dickinson Lexicon

STRAY, n.

1. Any domestic animal that has left an inclosure or its proper place and company, and wanders at large or is lost. The laws provide that strays shall be taken up, impounded and advertised. Seeing him wander about, took him up for a stray. – Dryden.
2. The act of wandering. [Little used.] – Shak.