Bay
(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.
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.
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.
3. A recess or indentation shaped like a bay.
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.
5. A compartment in a barn, for depositing hay, or grain in the stalks.
6. A kind of mahogany obtained from Campeachy Bay.
Sick bay, in vessels of war, that part of a deck appropriated to the use of the sick. Totten.
Bay
(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.]
2. The laurel tree 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.
The patriot's honors and the poet's bays.
Trumbull.
3. A tract covered with bay trees. [Local, U. S.]
Bay leaf, the leaf of the bay tree (Laurus nobilis). It has a fragrant odor and an aromatic taste.
Bay
(Bay), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Bayed (bad); 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.
The hounds at nearer distance hoarsely bayed.
Dryden.
Bay
(Bay) v. t. To bark at; hence, to follow with barking; to bring or drive to bay; as, to bay the bear.
Shak.
Bay
(Bay) n. [See Bay, v. i.]
1. Deep-toned, prolonged barking. "The bay of curs." Cowper.
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.
Embolden'd by despair, he stood at bay.
Dryden.
The most terrible evils are just kept at bay by incessant efforts.
I. Taylor
