bray
bray¹
Definition
bray (brā)
intransitive verb
to make the loud, harsh cry of a donkey, or a sound, esp. a laugh, like this
Etymology: ME braien < OFr braire < VL *bragire, to cry out
transitive verb
to utter loudly and harshly
noun
the loud, harsh cry of a donkey, or a sound like this
bray²
Definition
bray (brā)
transitive verb
- to crush or pound into a powder, as in a mortar
- to spread thin, as ink
Etymology: ME braien < OFr breier, to pound, pulverize; prob. < Frank *brekan, break
bray
Synonyms
bray
Usage Examples
Object
- donkey: Otherwise you appear to be a barking dog or a braying donkey.
- mob: I'll get you, you braying mob if it's the last thing I do!
- crowd: The hostility of the braying, outraged crowd scared the Englishmen.
- suit: Get in there before the braying suits get their clutches on the place.
- noise: The braying noise had come from the White Knight's donkey, Fred, who stood by himself, just shaking his head.
Converse of object
- do: Does a wild donkey bray when it has grass, or an ox bellow when it has fodder?
Modifies a noun
- while: Say that internet and went on the correct way bray quot while.
- quot: Say that internet and went on the correct way bray quot while.
Modifying Another Word
- loudly: Surely it would be quite evocative to hear donkeys braying loudly from the top of Castle Mound?
Noun used with modifier
- donkey: Does a wild donkey bray when it has grass, or an ox bellow when it has fodder?
Preposition: of
- donkey: They were divers, easily recognized by their cry, which much resembles the braying of a donkey.
Preposition: for
- blood: If these stories were reported by the press, the public would bray for blood.
Preposition: like
- donkey: They also make good guard dogs; if there's a predator nearby, Billy, the gang leader, brays like a donkey.
