Waif (noun)

A homeless or deserted person or animal, especially a neglected or abandoned child.

Origin:

From the middle english word 'weve', meaning 'a homeless person'.

Examples:

1. The waif was homeless, wandering the streets with no place to go.
2. The waif looked skinny and malnourished.
3. The waif was taken in by a kindly couple who gave her a warm bed and meals.
4. The waif had a sad story, having been abandoned by her parents.
5. The waif had a special bond with the family's pet dog, who had also been a stray.