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Definitions for: Waif
[n] a homeless child especially one forsaken or orphaned
Webster (1913) Definition: Waif, n. [OF. waif, gaif, as adj., lost, unclaimed, chose
gaive a waif, LL. wayfium, res vaivae; of Scand. origin. See
Waive.]
1. (Eng. Law.) 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. --Blackstone.
2. Hence, anything found, or without an owner; that which
comes along, as it were, by chance. ``Rolling in his mind
old waifs of rhyme.'' --Tennyson.
3. A wanderer; a castaway; a stray; a homeless child.
A waif Desirous to return, and not received.
--Cowper.
See Also: child, fry, kid, minor, nestling, nipper, shaver, small fry, tiddler, tike, tyke, youngster
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