bay1
n.
a broad curved inlet of the sea.
Etymology
ME: from OFr. baie, from Old Sp. bahia.
bay2
n.
an evergreen, purple-berried Mediterranean shrub, with aromatic leaves that are used in cookery.
[
Laurus nobilis.]
Etymology
ME (denoting the laurel berry): from OFr. baie, from L. baca ‘berry’.
bay3
n.
- a window area that projects outwards from a wall.
- a section of wall in the nave of a church between two buttresses or columns.
- an area specially allocated or marked off:
a loading bay.
-
(also bay platform)
Brit. a short terminal platform at a railway station also having through lines.
Etymology
ME: from OFr. baie, from baer ‘to gape’, from med. L. batare.
bay4
adj.
(of a horse) brown with black points.
n.
a bay horse.
Etymology
ME: from OFr. bai, from L. badius.
bay5
v.
(of a dog) bark or howl loudly, especially in pursuit of quarry.
n.
the sound of baying.
Phrase
- at bay
trapped or cornered. - bay for blood
demand retribution. - hold
(or keep)
at bay
prevent from approaching or having an effect.
Etymology
ME: from OFr. (a)bai (n.), (a)baiier (v.) ‘bark’; imitative.