The Collaborative International Dictionary
Stray line
Stray \Stray\, a. [Cf. OF. estrai['e], p. p. of estraier. See Stray, v. i., and cf. Astray, Estray.] Having gone astray; strayed; wandering; as, a strayhorse or sheep.
Stray line (Naut.), that portion of the log line which is veered from the reel to allow the chip to get clear of the stern eddies before the glass is turned.
Stray mark (Naut.), the mark indicating the end of the stray line.
Usage examples of "stray line".
By the drawing's knees was what looked to be a stray line, as if the artist's hand had skipped a beat, in his haste.
The quartermaster heaved the log: the stray line ran out: 'Turn,' he said.
Diego mumbled, the thought coming to him like a stray line of poetry.