Transcription
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
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- [at bey]
- /æt beɪ/
- /ət beɪ/
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
-
- [at bey]
- /æt beɪ/
Definitions of at bay words
- noun at bay (of a person or animal) forced to turn and face attackers 3
- noun at bay with escape cut off; cornered 3
- noun at bay unable to advance; held off 3
- noun at bay a deep, prolonged howl, as of a hound on the scent. 1
- noun at bay the position or stand of an animal or fugitive that is forced to turn and resist pursuers because it is no longer possible to flee (usually preceded by at or to): a stag at bay; to bring an escaped convict to bay. 1
- noun at bay the situation of a person or thing that is forced actively to oppose or to succumb to some adverse condition (usually preceded by at or to). 1
Information block about the term
Origin of at bay
First appearance:
before 1250 One of the 11% oldest English words
1250-1300; Middle English, aphetic variant of abay < Anglo-French, dialectal Old French abai barking, noun derivative of abaier to bark, from an imitative base *bay-
Historical Comparancy
Parts of speech for At bay
noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
at bay popularity
A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 98% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".
at bay usage trend in Literature
This diagram is provided by Google Ngram ViewerSynonyms for at bay
adv at bay
- carefully — cautious in one's actions: Be careful when you cross the street.
- on the defensive — If someone is on the defensive, they are trying to protect themselves or their interests because they feel unsure or threatened.
Antonyms for at bay
adv at bay
- offensively — causing resentful displeasure; highly irritating, angering, or annoying: offensive television commercials.