waifs and strays

Definitions

Homeless people or animals.

plural, plural-only

Examples

“But vvhat a vvretched, and diſconſolate Hermitage is that Houſe, vvhich is not viſited by thee [God], and vvhat a VVayue, and Stray is that Man, that hath not thy Markes vpon him?”

“One thing I must not omit to mention⟳—her passionate love⟳ of animals. In the old, good days in Dublin she used to pick⟳ up waifs and strays of forlorn doghood and take⟳ them to the Dogs' Home. The boys in the street used to shout⟳ derision at us: “Go on! wid yer grand hats and ye to be starvin' yer dog!” The sense⟳ of humour supported us.”

“A down-to-earth Londoner […] Scodelario, 32, grew up in a council flat in Islington with her Brazilian mum, where a revolving cast⟳ of waifs and strays from the motherland were always welcome⟳.”

CEFR level