an wide curving inlet of a sea, or lake, etc, usu smaller than a gulfa land formation resembling this [Middle English baye from Old French baie from Spanish bahia]
a small evergreen Mediterranean tree of the laurel family with leaves used for flavour in cookingany of several shrubs or trees resembling the laurel(in pl) an honorary garland or crown, esp of laurel, given for victory or excellence [Middle English from Old French baie from Latin baca berry]
a special area, division, or compartment within a larger structure a loading baya structure projecting from the wall of a building= bay windowa section of wall between two columns or buttressesa division of a building or of part of a building, e.g. a recess with a bay window or an area used for a particular purposea division of a structure; esp a compartment in the fuselage of an aircraft the forward instrument bay [Middle English from early French baée opening, fem past part. of baer to gape, yawn, from late Latin batare]
of dogs and wolves: to bark fiercely(+ for) to demand insistently baying for his bloodat bay trapped and forced to confront danger head onhold/keep at bay to prevent from coming close to or overwhelming one said of dogs and wolves: to bark with prolonged tones [Middle English baien, abaien from Old French abaiier, of imitative origin]
the position of an animal or person unable to retreat and forced to face a foe or danger The hunter brought his quarry to baythe position of somebody or something kept off or repelled with difficulty The police kept the rioters at bay [Middle English bay, abay from Old French abai, from abaiier: see bay6]