Word Direct Answers

What does "bay" mean?

Bay: (Geol.) An inlet of the sea, usually smaller than a gulf, but of the same general character. Note: 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 foe any recess or inlet between capes or headlands; as, the Bay of Biscay.

Additional senses

  1. 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.
  2. 3.A recess or indentation shaped like a bay.
  3. 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.
  4. 5.A compartment in a barn, for depositing hay, or grain in the stalks.
  5. 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.
  6. 7.A berry, particularly of the laurel. [Obs.]
  7. 8.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. The patriot's honors and the poet's bays. Trumbull.
  8. 9.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.
  9. 10.To bark, as a dog with a deep voice does, at his game. The hounds at nearer distance hoarsely bayed. Dryden.
  10. 11.To bark at; hence, to follow with barking; to bring or drive to bay; as, to bay the bear. Shak.
  11. 12.Deep-toned, prolonged barking. "The bay of curs." Cowper.
  12. 13.Etym: [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
  13. 14.To bathe. [Obs.] Spenser.
  14. 15.A bank or dam to keep back water.
  15. 16.To dam, as water; -- with up or back.

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