English Dictionary
Definition of “bay”
1bay1 (beɪ
)
Definitions
noun
- a wide semicircular indentation of a shoreline, esp between two headlands or peninsulas
- an extension of lowland into hills that partly surround it
- US an extension of prairie into woodland
Word Origin
C14: from Old French baie , perhaps from Old French baer to gape, from Medieval Latin batāre to yawn
Synonyms
View thesaurus entry
=
inlet,
sound,
gulf,
entrance,
creek,
cove,
fjord,
arm (of the sea)
bight,
ingress,
natural harbour
sea loch,
firth or frith
2bay2 (beɪ)
Definitions
noun
- an alcove or recess in a wall
- any partly enclosed compartment, as one in which hay is stored in a barn
- See bay window
- an area off a road in which vehicles may park or unload, esp one adjacent to a shop, factory, etc
- a compartment in an aircraft, esp one used for a specified purpose ⇒
the bomb bay
- nautical a compartment in the forward part of a ship between decks, often used as the ship's hospital
- British a tracked recess in the platform of a railway station, esp one forming the terminus of a branch line
Word Origin
C14: from Old French baee gap or recess in a wall, from baer to gape; see bayC14: from Old French gap or recess in a wall, from to gape; see 1
3bay3 (beɪ)
Definitions
verb
- (intr) to howl (at) in deep prolonged tones
- (tr) to utter in a loud prolonged tone
- (tr) to drive to or hold at bay
Word Origin
C13: from Old French abaiier to bark, of imitative origin
Synonyms
View thesaurus entry
=
howl,
cry,
roar,
bark,
lament,
cry out,
wail,
growl,
bellow,
quest,
bell,
clamour,
yelp,
=
cry,
bell,
roar,
quest,
bark,
lament,
howl,
wail,
growl,
bellow,
clamour,
yelp,
4bay4 (beɪ)
Definitions
noun
- bay laurel, sweet baya small evergreen Mediterranean laurel, a small evergreen Mediterranean laurel, Laurus nobilis, with glossy aromatic leaves, used for flavouring in cooking, and small blackish berries See laurel (sense 1)
- any of various other trees with strongly aromatic leaves used in cooking, esp a member of the genera any of various other trees with strongly aromatic leaves used in cooking, esp a member of the genera Myrica or any of various other trees with strongly aromatic leaves used in cooking, esp a member of the genera or Pimenta
- any of several magnolias See sweet bay
- any of certain other trees or shrubs, esp bayberry
- (plural) a wreath of bay leaves See laurel (sense 6)
Word Origin
C14: from Old French baie laurel berry, from Latin bāca berry
5bay5 (beɪ)
Definitions
noun
- a moderate reddish-brown colour
- ((as adjective) ⇒
a bay horse
- an animal of this colour, esp a horse
Word Origin
C14: from Old French bai , from Latin badius
bayberry (ˈbeɪbərɪ) or bay
Definitions
noun
- any of several North American aromatic shrubs or small trees of the genus any of several North American aromatic shrubs or small trees of the genus Myrica , that bear grey waxy berries: family any of several North American aromatic shrubs or small trees of the genus , that bear grey waxy berries: family Myricaceae See also wax myrtle
- bay rum treea tropical American myrtaceous tree, a tropical American myrtaceous tree, Pimenta racemosa, that yields an oil used in making bay rum
- the fruit of any of these plants
Translations
- British English:
bay
A bay is a part of a coastline where the land curves inwards....a short ferry ride across the bay.beɪ NOUN ...a short ferry ride across the bay.
- Spanish:
bahía
nf
- French:
baie
nf
- German:
Bucht
nf
- Chinese: 海湾 n
- Arabic: خَلِيج n
- Portuguese: baía nf
- Russian: бухта nf
- Croatian: zaljev nm
- Czech: břeh nm
- Danish: bugt nutr
- Dutch: baai n
- Finnish: lahti n
- Greek: κόλπος nm
- Italian: baia nf
- Japanese: 湾 n
- Korean: 만 n
- Norwegian: bukt nm
- Polish: zatoka nf
- Brazilian Portuguese: baía nf
- European Spanish:
bahía
nf
- Swedish: bukt nutr
- Thai: อ่าว ต้นอบเชย n
- Turkish: körfez n
- Vietnamese: vịnh n
Usage examples
A somewhat nervous bay mare followed behind, constrained by a leading rein from giving in to her neuroses.
Garth Nix, LIRAEL: DAUGHTER OF THE CLAYR (2001)Return the sausages to the casserole, add the wine, berries thyme and bay leaves.
Country Life (2004)The formal room with a bay window faces front, which sets the scene for entertaining.
Globe and Mail (2003)Adding to the airy feel is the large box bay window with further corner windows.
Glasgow Herald (2001)The rocky inlet bent sharply to port, then opened out in a shallow bay.
Ben Nimmo, IN FORKBEARD'S WAKE: Coasting Round Scandinavia (2003)
