Waif (nonfiction): Difference between revisions
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A '''waif''' (from the Old French ''guaif'', "stray beast") is a living creature removed, by hardship, loss or other helpless circumstance, from its original surroundings. | [[File:Jerry's_family_-_a_story_of_a_street_waif_of_New_York_(1895)_(14729962676).jpg|thumb| Jerry's family : a story of a street waif of New York (1895).]]A '''waif''' (from the Old French ''guaif'', "stray beast") is a living creature removed, by hardship, loss or other helpless circumstance, from its original surroundings. | ||
The most common usage of the word is to designate a homeless, forsaken or orphaned child, or someone whose appearance is evocative of the same. | The most common usage of the word is to designate a homeless, forsaken or orphaned child, or someone whose appearance is evocative of the same. | ||
Revision as of 17:56, 7 June 2016
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A waif (from the Old French guaif, "stray beast") is a living creature removed, by hardship, loss or other helpless circumstance, from its original surroundings.
The most common usage of the word is to designate a homeless, forsaken or orphaned child, or someone whose appearance is evocative of the same.
As such, the term is similar to a ragamuffin or street urchin, although the main distinction is volitional: a runaway youth might live on the streets, but would not properly be called a waif as the departure from one's home was an exercise of free will.
Likewise, a person fleeing their home for purposes of safety (as in response to political oppression or natural disaster), is typically considered not a waif but a refugee.
Fiction cross-reference
- Waif (physics) - a unit of measurement
Nonfiction cross-reference
External links
- Waif @ Wikipedia