waif
IPA: wˈeɪf
noun
- (Britain, law, archaic) Often in the form waif and stray, waifs and strays: an article of movable property found of which the owner is not known, such as goods washed up on a beach or thrown away by an absconding thief; such items belong to the Crown, which may grant the right of ownership to them to a lord of a manor.
- (figuratively)
- Something found, especially if without an owner; something which comes along, as it were, by chance.
- A person (especially a child) who is homeless and without means of support; also, a person excluded from society; an outcast.
- (by extension) A very thin person.
- (by extension, botany) A plant introduced in a place outside its native range but not persistently naturalized.
- (nautical, chiefly whaling, historical) A small flag used as a signal.
- Something (such as clouds or smoke) carried aloft by the wind.
- (informal, derogatory) A minor celebrity who does not deserve his or her fame.
verb
- (transitive) To cast aside or reject, and thus make a waif.
Examples of "waif" in Sentences
- "I hate to use the word waif, but what else can you call all these skinny young hairless guys?"
- Perhaps some of them thought they befriended me for charity's sake, because I was a starved waif from the slums.
- Learn more about the word "waif" and see usage examples across a range of subjects on the Vocabulary.com dictionary.
- If a waif is a lost wanderer, then little Poosk was a decided waif for he had gone very much astray indeed in the North American backwoods.
- The word waif has appeared in 19 New York Times articles in the past year, including this week in Monday's editions in "From Boys to Men," by Guy Trebay:
- I grew an inch taller and broader between the corner of Cedar Street and Mr. Tetlow's house, such was the charm of the clean, green suburb on a cramped waif from the slums.
- But quick-witted Mrs. Holmes guessed the word had been "waif" -- poor little waif, and she began dimly to comprehend the big-hearted, rough tent-man, who had tried to guard this little foreign maid from the ignorance and evil about her.
- He liked his little protege ever since that unfortunate child -- a waif from a Chinese wash-house -- was impounded by some indignant miners for bringing home a highly imperfect and insufficient washing, and kept as hostage for a more proper return of the garments.
- The waif is a pennoned pole, two or three of which are carried by every boat; and when additional game is at hand, are inserted upright into the floating body of a dead whale, both to mark its place on the sea, and also as token of prior possession, should the boats of any other ship draw near.
- The waif is a pennoned pole, two or three of which are carried by every boat; and which, when additional game is at hand, are inserted upright into the floating body of a dead whale, both to mark its place on the sea, and also as token of prior possession, should the boats of any other ship draw near.