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发帖数: 32828 | 1 Waif
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For other uses, see Waif (disambiguation).
A young waif steals a pair of boots
A waif (from the Old French guaif, stray beast)[1] 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. |
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