GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English
last match results
Found 9 definitions
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Bay (bā), a. [F. bai, fr. L. badius brown, chestnut-colored; -- used only of horses.] Reddish brown; of the color of a chestnut; -- applied to the color of horses.
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Bay cat (Zool.), a wild cat of Africa and the East Indies (Felis aurata). -- Bay lynx (Zool.), the common American lynx (Lynx lynx, formerly Felis rufa or Lynx rufa).
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Bay, n. [F. baie, fr. LL. baia. Of uncertain origin: cf. Ir. & Gael. badh or bagh bay, harbor, creek; Bisc. baia, baiya, harbor, and F. bayer to gape, open the mouth.]
1. (Geog.) An inlet of the sea, usually smaller than a gulf, but of the same general character.
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☞ The name is not used with much precision, and is often applied to large tracts of water, around which the land forms a curve; as, Hudson's Bay. The name is not restricted to tracts of water with a narrow entrance, but is used for any recess or inlet between capes or headlands; as, the Bay of Biscay.
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2. A small body of water set off from the main body; as a compartment containing water for a wheel; the portion of a canal just outside of the gates of a lock, etc.
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3. A recess or indentation shaped like a bay.
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4. A principal compartment of the walls, roof, or other part of a building, or of the whole building, as marked off by the buttresses, vaulting, mullions of a window, etc.; one of the main divisions of any structure, as the part of a bridge between two piers.
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5. A compartment in a barn, for depositing hay, or grain in the stalks.
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6. A kind of mahogany obtained from Campeachy Bay.
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Sick bay, in vessels of war, that part of a deck appropriated to the use of the sick. Totten.
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Bay, n. [F. baie a berry, the fruit of the laurel and other trees, fr. L. baca, bacca, a small round fruit, a berry, akin to Lith. bapka laurel berry.]
1. A berry, particularly of the laurel. [Obs.]
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2. The laurel tree (Laurus nobilis). Hence, in the plural, an honorary garland or crown bestowed as a prize for victory or excellence, anciently made or consisting of branches of the laurel.
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The patriot's honors and the poet's bays. Trumbull.
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3. A tract covered with bay trees. [Local, U. S.]
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Bay leaf, the leaf of the bay tree (Laurus nobilis). It has a fragrant odor and an aromatic taste, and is used for flavoring in food.
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Bay, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Bayed (bād); p. pr. & vb. n. Baying.] [OE. bayen, abayen, OF. abaier, F. aboyer, to bark; of uncertain origin.] To bark, as a dog with a deep voice does, at his game.
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The hounds at nearer distance hoarsely bayed. Dryden.
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Bay (), v. t. To bark at; hence, to follow with barking; to bring or drive to bay; as, “to bay the bear”. Shak.
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Bay (), n. [See Bay, v. i.]
1. Deep-toned, prolonged barking. “The bay of curs.” Cowper.
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2. [OE. bay, abay, OF. abai, F. aboi barking, pl. abois, prop. the extremity to which the stag is reduced when surrounded by the dogs, barking (aboyant); aux abois at bay.] A state of being obliged to face an antagonist or a difficulty, when escape has become impossible.
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Embolden'd by despair, he stood at bay. Dryden.
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The most terrible evils are just kept at bay by incessant efforts. I. Taylor
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Bay, v. t. [Cf. OE. bæwen to bathe, and G. bähen to foment.] To bathe. [Obs.] Spenser.
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Bay, n. A bank or dam to keep back water.
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Bay, v. t. To dam, as water; -- with up or back.
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