bay Hear it!

bay1 definition

bay ()

noun

    1. a part of a sea or lake that cuts into the shoreline; wide inlet: usually smaller than a gulf
    2. International Law a small gulf with an opening to the sea of less than 24 nautical miles and a strictly defined minimum area: used to determine territorial waters
  1. ☆ any level land area making an indentation, as into a woods, range of hills, etc.

Etymology: ME bai < OFr baie < ML baia, prob. < Iberian

bay2 definition

bay ()

noun

    1. an opening or alcove marked off by pillars, columns, etc.
    2. a recess in a wall, as for a window
    3. bay window
  1. a part of a building projecting from the main part; wing
  2. a compartment or space; specif.,
    1. a bin in a barn, for storing hay or grain
    2. a compartment in an aircraft or spacecraft bomb bay, cargo bay
    3. in a service station, the area for one car
  3. sick bay

Etymology: ME bai < OFr baée < baer, bayer, to gape, yawn < VL batare, to gape

bay3 definition

bay ()

intransitive verb

to bark or howl in long, deep tones

Etymology: ME baien, abaien < OFr baiier, abaiier < IE base *bai-, echoic of howling

transitive verb

  1. to bark at; howl at
  2. to chase with yelps and barks
  3. to bring to or hold at bay
  4. to utter in long, deep tones

noun

  1. the sound of baying
  2. the situation of or as of a hunted animal forced to turn and fight
bay Idioms

at bay

  1. with escape cut off; cornered
  2. unable to advance; held off the bear kept the hunters at bay

bring to bay

to force into a situation that makes escape impossible; corner
bay4 definition

bay ()

noun

  1. laurel ()
    1. a wreath of bay leaves, a classical token of honor given to poets and conquerors
    2. honor; fame
  2. any of various trees or shrubs of various families, as rosebay or bayberry

Etymology: ME bai < OFr baie < L baca, berry

bay5 definition

bay ()

adjective

reddish-brown: said esp. of horses

Etymology: ME bai < OFr baie < L badius

noun

  1. a horse or, sometimes, some other animal of this color
  2. reddish brown

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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