Collins English-English Dictionary

bay [beɪ]

1. 1. n a wide semicircular indentation of a shoreline, esp between two headlands or peninsulas

2. 2. n an extension of lowland into hills that partly surround it

3. 3. n [US] an extension of prairie into woodland

4. 4. n [Etymology] C14: from Old French baie, perhaps from Old French baer to gape, from Medieval Latin batare to yawn

bay [beɪ]

1. 1. n an alcove or recess in a wall

2. 2. n any partly enclosed compartment, as one in which hay is stored in a barn

3. 3. n See bay window

4. 4. n an area off a road in which vehicles may park or unload, esp one adjacent to a shop, factory, etc

5. 5. n a compartment in an aircraft, esp one used for a specified purpose

   the bomb bay

6. 6. n [nautical] a compartment in the forward part of a ship between decks, often used as the ship's hospital

7. 7. n [Brit] a tracked recess in the platform of a railway station, esp one forming the terminus of a branch line

8. 8. n [Etymology] C14: from Old French baee gap or recess in a wall, from baer to gape; see bay¹

bay [beɪ]

1. 1. n a deep howl or growl, esp of a hound on the scent

2. 2. vi. [intr] to howl (at) in deep prolonged tones

3. 3. vt. [tr] to utter in a loud prolonged tone

4. 4. vt. [tr] to drive to or hold at bay

5. 5. vt. [Etymology] C13: from Old French abaiier to bark, of imitative origin

bay [beɪ]

1. 1. n bay laurel, sweet bay a small evergreen Mediterranean laurel, Laurus nobilis, with glossy aromatic leaves, used for flavouring in cooking, and small blackish berries - See laurel

2. 2. n any of various other trees with strongly aromatic leaves used in cooking, esp a member of the genera Myrica or Pimenta

3. 3. n any of several magnolias - See sweet bay

4. 4. n any of certain other trees or shrubs, esp bayberry

5. 5. n [plural] a wreath of bay leaves - See laurel

6. 6. n [Etymology] C14: from Old French baie laurel berry, from Latin baca berry

bay [beɪ]

1. 1. n a moderate reddish-brown colour

2. 2. n (as adjective)

   a bay horse

3. 3. n an animal of this colour, esp a horse

4. 4. n [Etymology] C14: from Old French bai, from Latin badius