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Stray vs Sidetrack - What's the difference?

stray | sidetrack |

In lang=en terms the difference between stray and sidetrack

is that stray is to cause to stray while sidetrack is to deviate briefly from the topic at hand.

As nouns the difference between stray and sidetrack

is that stray is any domestic animal that has an enclosure, or its proper place and company, and wanders at large, or is lost; an estray while sidetrack is (rail transport) a second, relatively short length of track just to the side of a railroad track, joined to the main track by switches at one or both ends, used either for unloading freight, or to allow two trains on a same track to meet (opposite directions) or pass (same direction); a railroad siding.

As verbs the difference between stray and sidetrack

is that stray is to wander, as from a direct course; to deviate, or go out of the way while sidetrack is to divert (a locomotive) on to a lesser used track in order to allow other trains to pass.

As an adjective stray

is having gone astray; strayed; wandering; as, a stray horse or sheep.

stray

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • Any domestic animal that has an enclosure, or its proper place and company, and wanders at large, or is lost; an estray.
  • (figuratively) One who is lost, either literally or metaphorically.
  • The act of wandering or going astray.
  • (historical) An area of common land or place administered for the use of general domestic animals, i.e. "the stray"

    • Related terms

    * (l) * (l)

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To wander, as from a direct course; to deviate, or go out of the way.
  • * Denham
    • Thames among the wanton valleys strays .
  • To wander from company, or from the proper limits; to rove at large; to roam; to go astray.
  • (figurative) To wander from the path of duty or rectitude; to err.
  • * November 2 2014 , Daniel Taylor, " Sergio Agüero strike wins derby for Manchester City against 10-man United," guardian.co.uk
    • It was a derby that left Manchester United a long way back in Manchester City’s wing-mirrors and, in the worst moments, straying dangerously close to being their own worst enemy.
  • To cause to stray.
  • * 1591 , , V. i. 51:
    • Hath not else his eye / Strayed his affection in unlawful love,

    Synonyms

    * deviate

    Adjective

    (-)
  • Having gone astray; strayed; wandering; as, a stray horse or sheep.
  • In the wrong place; misplaced.
    • a stray comma

    Derived terms

    * stray line * stray mark

    References

    Anagrams

    * * *

    sidetrack

    English

    Alternative forms

    * side-track', ' side track

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (rail transport) A second, relatively short length of track just to the side of a railroad track, joined to the main track by switches at one or both ends, used either for unloading freight, or to allow two trains on a same track to meet (opposite directions) or pass (same direction); a railroad siding.
  • (sometimes) Any auxiliary railroad track, as differentiated from a siding, that runs adjacent to the main track.
  • (mining) A smaller tunnel or well drilled as an auxiliary off a main tunnel or well.
  • An alternate train of thought, issue, topic, or activity, that is a deviation or distraction from the topic at hand or central activity, and secondary or subordinate in importance or effectiveness.
    • Stay focused on the story; you keep getting lost in all of these little sidetracks .

    Synonyms

    railroad siding, siding, lay-by (UK)

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To divert (a locomotive) on to a lesser used track in order to allow other trains to pass.
  • To divert or distract (someone) from a main issue or course of action with an alternate or less relevant topic or activity; or, to use deliberate trickery or sly wordplay when talking to (a person) in order to avoid discussion of a subject.
    • Sorry I'm late. I got sidetracked with contributing to Wiktionary.
    The politician sidetracked the reporter with a story about duck hunting instead of a direct response to the question that was asked.
    I hope you can sidetrack the teacher with questions so we don't have to take the exam.
  • To sideline; to push aside; to divert or distract from, reducing (something) to a secondary or subordinate position.
    • The project was sidetracked in favor of a more popular program.
    He has sidetracked this debate for far too long.
  • To deviate briefly from the topic at hand.
    • Just to sidetrack a little bit from the subject I will explain my reasoning.
    To sidetrack for a moment, let me commend this team for their outstanding efforts.

    Synonyms

    * (deviate from the topic at hand) digress

    Anagrams

    *