BAY

Reddish brown; of the color of a chestnut; -- applied to the color of horses. Bay cat (Zoöl.), a wild cat of Africa and the East Indies (Felis aurata). -- Bay lynx (Zoöl.), the common American lynx (Felis, or Lynx, rufa).

An inlet of the sea, usually smaller than a gulf, but of the same general character.

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.

A recess or indentation shaped like a bay.

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.

A compartment in a barn, for depositing hay, or grain in the stalks.

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.

A berry, particularly of the laurel. [Obs.]

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.

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.

To bark, as a dog with a deep voice does, at his game. The hounds at nearer distance hoarsely bayed. Dryden.

To bark at; hence, to follow with barking; to bring or drive to bay; as, to bay the bear. Shak.

Deep-toned, prolonged barking. "The bay of curs." Cowper.

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

To bathe. [Obs.] Spenser.

A bank or dam to keep back water.

To dam, as water; -- with up or back.