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
