bray Hear it!

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

  1. to crush or pound into a powder, as in a mortar
  2. to spread thin, as ink

Etymology: ME braien < OFr breier, to pound, pulverize; prob. < Frank *brekan, break

bray Synonyms

bray

v.

bawl, whinny, neigh; see sound 1, yell.

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.

Browse dictionary entries near bray

  1. braxy
  2. brawny
  3. brawn
  4. brawl
  5. braw
  6. bravura
  7. bravo
  8. bravissimo
  9. bravery
  10. bravely
  1. brayer
  2. Braz
  3. braze
  4. brazen
  5. brazenfaced
  6. brazier
  7. brazil
  8. Brazil nut
  9. brazilein
  10. brazilin