waif

waif
I. noun Etymology: Middle English weif, waif, from Anglo-French, from waif, adjective, stray, unclaimed, probably of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse veif something flapping, veifa to be in movement — more at wipe Date: 14th century 1. a. a piece of property found (as washed up by the sea) but unclaimed b. plural stolen goods thrown away by a thief in flight 2. a. something found without an owner and especially by chance b. a stray person or animal; especially a homeless child • waifish adjectivewaiflike adjective II. noun Etymology: perhaps of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse veif something flapping Date: 1530 waft 4

New Collegiate Dictionary. 2001.

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  • Waif — Waif, n. [OF. waif, gaif, as adj., lost, unclaimed, chose gaive a waif, LL. wayfium, res vaivae; of Scand. origin. See {Waive}.] [1913 Webster] 1. (Eng. Law.) Goods found of which the owner is not known; originally, such goods as a pursued thief… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • waif — (n.) late 14c., unclaimed property, flotsam, stray animal, from Anglo Norm. waif, gwaif (early 13c.) ownerless property, probably from a Scandinavian source akin to O.N. veif waving thing, flag, from P.Gmc. *waif , from PIE *weip to turn,… …   Etymology dictionary

  • waif — ► NOUN ▪ a homeless and helpless person, especially a neglected or abandoned child. DERIVATIVES waifish adjective. ORIGIN originally in waif and stray, denoting a piece of property found and, if unclaimed, falling to the lord of the manor: from… …   English terms dictionary

  • waif — index orphan Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …   Law dictionary

  • waif — [weıf] n [Date: 1300 1400; : Old North French; Origin: , (adjective), lost, unclaimed , from a Scandinavian language] 1.) someone, especially a child, who is pale and thin and looks as if they do not have a home 2.) waifs and strays BrE children… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • waif — [ weıf ] noun count a person, especially a child, who is thin and pale and looks as if they need to be taken care of a. a child who has no home waifs and strays BRITISH children or animals that do not have homes …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • waif- — *waif germ.: Quelle: Personenname; Sonstiges: Reichert, Lexikon der altgermanischen Namen 2, 1990, 639 (Alwef, Baudofeif, Genuveif, Marcoveif, Merveif, Vaefari …   Germanisches Wörterbuch

  • waif — [n] lost or unclaimed person or thing castaway, dogie, drop*, fetch*, flotsam, foundling, homeless one, jetsam, orphan, ragamuffin, stray, urchin; concept 423 …   New thesaurus

  • waif — [wāf] n. [ME < NormFr, prob. < ON veif, anything flapping about < veifa, to wave, swing < IE * weip , to turn, var. of * weib > L vibrare, to VIBRATE] 1. anything found by chance that is without an owner 2. a person without home or …   English World dictionary

  • Waif — The word waif (from the Old French guaif , stray beast)Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1). Random House, Inc. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/waif (accessed: June 02, 2008)] refers to a living creature removed, by hardship, loss or other… …   Wikipedia

  • WAIF — Infobox Radio station name = WAIF city = area = Cincinnati, Ohio branding = slogan = airdate = frequency = 88.3 FM format = community radio power = erp = haat = class = facility id = coordinates = callsign meaning = former callsigns = owner = The …   Wikipedia

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