adjective |
1. Reddish-brown: a bay colt. |
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noun |
1. A body of water partially enclosed by land but with a wide mouth, affording access to the sea: the Bay of Biscay. |
2. An area of land, such as an arm of prairie partially enclosed by woodland, that resembles in shape or formation a partially enclosed body of water. |
3. Architecture A part of a building marked off by vertical elements, such as columns or pilasters: an arcade divided into ten bays. |
4. Architecture A bay window. |
5. Architecture An opening or recess in a wall. |
6. A section or compartment, as in a service station, barn, or aircraft, that is set off for a specific purpose: a cargo bay; an engine bay. |
7. A sickbay. |
8. Computer Science A drive bay. |
9. A reddish brown. |
10. A reddish-brown animal, especially a horse having a black mane and tail. |
11. A deep, prolonged bark, such as the sound made by hounds. |
12. The position of one cornered by pursuers and forced to turn and fight at close quarters: The hunters brought their quarry to bay. |
13. The position of having been checked or held at a distance: "He has seen the nuclear threat held at bay for 40 years” ( Earl W. Foell). |
14. See laurel. |
15. Any of certain other trees or shrubs with aromatic foliage, such as the California laurel. |
16. A crown or wreath made especially of the leaves and branches of the laurel and given as a sign of honor or victory. |
17. Honor; renown. Often used in the plural. |
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verb-intransitive |
1. To utter a deep, prolonged bark. |
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verb-transitive |
1. To pursue or challenge with barking: "I had rather be a dog, and bay the moon” ( Shakespeare). |
2. To express by barking or howling: a mob baying its fury. |
3. To bring to bay: "too big for the dogs which tried to bay it” ( William Faulkner). |
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