1. A homeless child especially one forsaken or orphaned
   "waifs beg or steal in order to survive";
   - street child
    
2. Someone very thin or underfed
   "The waif-like child needed proper nutrition"

Derived forms: waifs

Type of: child, kid [informal], kiddie [informal], kiddy [informal], minor, nestling [informal], nipper [informal], shaver [informal], small fry [informal], tiddler [Brit, informal], tike [informal], tyke [informal], wean [UK, Ireland, dialect], youngster

Encyclopedia: Waif