I. ˈbā adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French bai, from Latin badius; akin to Old Irish buide yellow
Date: 14th century
: reddish brown
a bay mare
II. noun
Date: 1535
1. : a bay-colored animal ; specifically : a horse with a bay-colored body and black mane, tail, and points — compare chestnut 4, sorrel I,1
2. : a reddish brown
III. noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French baee opening, from feminine of baé, past participle of baer to be wide open, gape, from Vulgar Latin * batare
Date: 14th century
1. : a principal compartment of the walls, roof, or other part of a building or of the whole building
2. : a main division of a structure
3. : any of various compartments or sections used for a special purpose (as in an airplane, spacecraft, or service station)
a bomb bay
a cargo bay
4. : bay window 1
5. : a support or housing for electronic equipment
IV. verb
Etymology: Middle English baien, abaien, from Anglo-French abaier, of imitative origin
Date: 14th century
intransitive verb
1. : to bark with prolonged tones
dogs bay ing at the moon
2. : to cry out : shout
transitive verb
1. : to bark at
2. : to bring to bay
3. : to pursue with barking
4. : to utter in deep prolonged tones
V. noun
Date: 14th century
1. : a baying of dogs
2. : the position of one unable to retreat and forced to face danger
brought his quarry to bay
3. : the position of one checked
police kept the rioters at bay
VI. noun
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: Middle English baye, from Anglo-French bai, perhaps from baer to be wide open
Date: 14th century
1. : an inlet of the sea or other body of water usually smaller than a gulf
2. : a small body of water set off from the main body
3. : any of various terrestrial formations resembling a bay of the sea
VII. noun
Etymology: Middle English, berry, laurel berry, from Anglo-French bai, from L. baca
Date: 15th century
1.
a. : laurel 1
b. : any of several shrubs or trees (as the red bay or sweet bay) resembling the laurel — compare bay rum
2.
a. : a garland or crown especially of laurel given as a prize for victory or excellence
b. : honor , fame — usually used in plural