"at bay" meaning in English

See at bay in All languages combined, or Wiktionary

Prepositional phrase

Audio: en-au-at bay.ogg [Australia]
Etymology: From bay (“excited howling of dogs”). Etymology templates: {{m|en|bay||excited howling of dogs}} bay (“excited howling of dogs”) Head templates: {{head|en|prepositional phrase|head=}} at bay, {{en-prep phrase}} at bay
  1. (set phrase, idiomatic) Unable to come closer; at a distance. Tags: idiomatic Synonyms (at a distance): at a distance, at arm's length, away, back Translations (unable to come closer): op afstand (Dutch), poissa (Finnish), kaukana (Finnish), à distance (French), auf Abstand (German), σε απόσταση (se apóstasi) (Greek), trzymany na dystans (Polish), trzymany na bezpieczną odległość (Polish), à distância (Portuguese), la distanță (Romanian), na distanci (Serbo-Croatian), a raya (Spanish)
    Sense id: en-at_bay-en-prep_phrase-caSWSuWV Categories (other): English entries with incorrect language header, English entries with language name categories using raw markup Disambiguation of English entries with incorrect language header: 37 34 29 Disambiguation of English entries with language name categories using raw markup: 32 39 29 Disambiguation of 'at a distance': 95 3 2 Disambiguation of 'unable to come closer': 77 14 9
  2. (set phrase, idiomatic) Cornered; unable to flee. Tags: idiomatic Synonyms (cornered): cornered, trapped Translations (cornered): in het nauw (Dutch), ahdistettuna nurkkaan (Finnish), kurissa (Finnish), selkä seinää vasten (Finnish), aux abois (French), in Schach (halten) (German), in die Enge (treiben) (German), in die Ecke (drängen) (German), zapędzony w kozi róg (Polish), trzymany w szachu (Polish), în șah (Romanian), legat (Romanian)
    Sense id: en-at_bay-en-prep_phrase-pJLirti- Categories (other): English entries with incorrect language header, English entries with language name categories using raw markup, English terms with non-redundant non-automated sortkeys Disambiguation of English entries with incorrect language header: 37 34 29 Disambiguation of English entries with language name categories using raw markup: 32 39 29 Disambiguation of English terms with non-redundant non-automated sortkeys: 31 41 28 Disambiguation of 'cornered': 12 77 11 Disambiguation of 'cornered': 12 77 11
  3. (heraldry) Of an animal, especially a docile animal in contrast to a predatory animal which would be blazoned statant: standing, in profile toward dexter, with all four feet on the ground. (If gazing at the viewer, the animal is at gaze.) Categories (topical): Heraldry
    Sense id: en-at_bay-en-prep_phrase-8RGMPxVR Categories (other): English entries with incorrect language header, English entries with language name categories using raw markup Disambiguation of English entries with incorrect language header: 37 34 29 Disambiguation of English entries with language name categories using raw markup: 32 39 29 Topics: government, heraldry, hobbies, lifestyle, monarchy, nobility, politics

Download JSON data for at bay meaning in English (8.2kB)

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      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "bay",
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        "4": "excited howling of dogs"
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  "etymology_text": "From bay (“excited howling of dogs”).",
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          "ref": "1886, Ulysses S. Grant, chapter XXIX, in Personal Memoirs of U.S. Grant",
          "text": "In that case the enemy himself could have occupied the defences of Corinth and held at bay all the Union troops that arrived.",
          "type": "quotation"
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        {
          "ref": "2011 October 23, Becky Ashton, “QPR 1 - 0 Chelsea”, in BBC Sport",
          "text": "The home side grew in confidence after keeping the visitors at bay and took the lead after only nine minutes, from their first foray into the penalty area.",
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      "qualifier": "set phrase",
      "raw_glosses": [
        "(set phrase, idiomatic) Unable to come closer; at a distance."
      ],
      "synonyms": [
        {
          "_dis1": "95 3 2",
          "sense": "at a distance",
          "word": "at a distance"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "95 3 2",
          "sense": "at a distance",
          "word": "at arm's length"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "95 3 2",
          "sense": "at a distance",
          "word": "away"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "95 3 2",
          "sense": "at a distance",
          "word": "back"
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        "idiomatic"
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      "translations": [
        {
          "_dis1": "77 14 9",
          "code": "nl",
          "lang": "Dutch",
          "sense": "unable to come closer",
          "word": "op afstand"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "77 14 9",
          "code": "fi",
          "lang": "Finnish",
          "sense": "unable to come closer",
          "word": "poissa"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "77 14 9",
          "code": "fi",
          "lang": "Finnish",
          "sense": "unable to come closer",
          "word": "kaukana"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "77 14 9",
          "code": "fr",
          "lang": "French",
          "sense": "unable to come closer",
          "word": "à distance"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "77 14 9",
          "code": "de",
          "lang": "German",
          "sense": "unable to come closer",
          "word": "auf Abstand"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "77 14 9",
          "code": "el",
          "lang": "Greek",
          "roman": "se apóstasi",
          "sense": "unable to come closer",
          "word": "σε απόσταση"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "77 14 9",
          "code": "pl",
          "lang": "Polish",
          "sense": "unable to come closer",
          "word": "trzymany na dystans"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "77 14 9",
          "code": "pl",
          "lang": "Polish",
          "sense": "unable to come closer",
          "word": "trzymany na bezpieczną odległość"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "77 14 9",
          "code": "pt",
          "lang": "Portuguese",
          "sense": "unable to come closer",
          "word": "à distância"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "77 14 9",
          "code": "ro",
          "lang": "Romanian",
          "sense": "unable to come closer",
          "word": "la distanță"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "77 14 9",
          "code": "sh",
          "lang": "Serbo-Croatian",
          "sense": "unable to come closer",
          "word": "na distanci"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "77 14 9",
          "code": "es",
          "lang": "Spanish",
          "sense": "unable to come closer",
          "word": "a raya"
        }
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          "ref": "1855, Robert Browning, Childe Roland to the Dark Tower Came, section XXXI",
          "text": "The hills, like giants at a hunting, lay / Chin upon hand, to see the game at bay,— / \"Now stab and end the creature - to the heft!\"",
          "type": "quotation"
        },
        {
          "ref": "1918, Edgar Rice Burroughs, chapter X, in The Land That Time Forgot",
          "text": "For a moment my gaze traversed the landscape beneath until it was caught and held by four figures near the base of the cliff—a human figure held at bay by three hyaenodons, those ferocious and blood-thirsty wild dogs of the Eocene.",
          "type": "quotation"
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          "ref": "2004 November 22, Valerie Elliott, “Two-dog plan to keep law at bay”, in The Times",
          "text": "Instead of mounted riders following a pack of hounds, it is envisaged that just two dogs will be used to locate a stag and hold it at bay.",
          "type": "quotation"
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        "(set phrase, idiomatic) Cornered; unable to flee."
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          "_dis1": "12 77 11",
          "sense": "cornered",
          "word": "cornered"
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        {
          "_dis1": "12 77 11",
          "sense": "cornered",
          "word": "trapped"
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      "translations": [
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          "_dis1": "12 77 11",
          "code": "nl",
          "lang": "Dutch",
          "sense": "cornered",
          "word": "in het nauw"
        },
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          "_dis1": "12 77 11",
          "code": "fi",
          "lang": "Finnish",
          "sense": "cornered",
          "word": "ahdistettuna nurkkaan"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "12 77 11",
          "code": "fi",
          "lang": "Finnish",
          "sense": "cornered",
          "word": "kurissa"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "12 77 11",
          "code": "fi",
          "lang": "Finnish",
          "sense": "cornered",
          "word": "selkä seinää vasten"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "12 77 11",
          "code": "fr",
          "lang": "French",
          "sense": "cornered",
          "word": "aux abois"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "12 77 11",
          "code": "de",
          "lang": "German",
          "sense": "cornered",
          "word": "in Schach (halten)"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "12 77 11",
          "code": "de",
          "lang": "German",
          "sense": "cornered",
          "word": "in die Enge (treiben)"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "12 77 11",
          "code": "de",
          "lang": "German",
          "sense": "cornered",
          "word": "in die Ecke (drängen)"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "12 77 11",
          "code": "pl",
          "lang": "Polish",
          "sense": "cornered",
          "word": "zapędzony w kozi róg"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "12 77 11",
          "code": "pl",
          "lang": "Polish",
          "sense": "cornered",
          "word": "trzymany w szachu"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "12 77 11",
          "code": "ro",
          "lang": "Romanian",
          "sense": "cornered",
          "word": "în șah"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "12 77 11",
          "code": "ro",
          "lang": "Romanian",
          "sense": "cornered",
          "word": "legat"
        }
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        "(heraldry) Of an animal, especially a docile animal in contrast to a predatory animal which would be blazoned statant: standing, in profile toward dexter, with all four feet on the ground. (If gazing at the viewer, the animal is at gaze.)"
      ],
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  "word": "at bay"
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{
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        "4": "excited howling of dogs"
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          "ref": "1886, Ulysses S. Grant, chapter XXIX, in Personal Memoirs of U.S. Grant",
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        "(set phrase, idiomatic) Unable to come closer; at a distance."
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          "type": "quotation"
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          "ref": "1918, Edgar Rice Burroughs, chapter X, in The Land That Time Forgot",
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        "(set phrase, idiomatic) Cornered; unable to flee."
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        "(heraldry) Of an animal, especially a docile animal in contrast to a predatory animal which would be blazoned statant: standing, in profile toward dexter, with all four feet on the ground. (If gazing at the viewer, the animal is at gaze.)"
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  "synonyms": [
    {
      "sense": "at a distance",
      "word": "at a distance"
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    {
      "sense": "at a distance",
      "word": "at arm's length"
    },
    {
      "sense": "at a distance",
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      "sense": "at a distance",
      "word": "back"
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  "translations": [
    {
      "code": "nl",
      "lang": "Dutch",
      "sense": "unable to come closer",
      "word": "op afstand"
    },
    {
      "code": "fi",
      "lang": "Finnish",
      "sense": "unable to come closer",
      "word": "poissa"
    },
    {
      "code": "fi",
      "lang": "Finnish",
      "sense": "unable to come closer",
      "word": "kaukana"
    },
    {
      "code": "fr",
      "lang": "French",
      "sense": "unable to come closer",
      "word": "à distance"
    },
    {
      "code": "de",
      "lang": "German",
      "sense": "unable to come closer",
      "word": "auf Abstand"
    },
    {
      "code": "el",
      "lang": "Greek",
      "roman": "se apóstasi",
      "sense": "unable to come closer",
      "word": "σε απόσταση"
    },
    {
      "code": "pl",
      "lang": "Polish",
      "sense": "unable to come closer",
      "word": "trzymany na dystans"
    },
    {
      "code": "pl",
      "lang": "Polish",
      "sense": "unable to come closer",
      "word": "trzymany na bezpieczną odległość"
    },
    {
      "code": "pt",
      "lang": "Portuguese",
      "sense": "unable to come closer",
      "word": "à distância"
    },
    {
      "code": "ro",
      "lang": "Romanian",
      "sense": "unable to come closer",
      "word": "la distanță"
    },
    {
      "code": "sh",
      "lang": "Serbo-Croatian",
      "sense": "unable to come closer",
      "word": "na distanci"
    },
    {
      "code": "es",
      "lang": "Spanish",
      "sense": "unable to come closer",
      "word": "a raya"
    },
    {
      "code": "nl",
      "lang": "Dutch",
      "sense": "cornered",
      "word": "in het nauw"
    },
    {
      "code": "fi",
      "lang": "Finnish",
      "sense": "cornered",
      "word": "ahdistettuna nurkkaan"
    },
    {
      "code": "fi",
      "lang": "Finnish",
      "sense": "cornered",
      "word": "kurissa"
    },
    {
      "code": "fi",
      "lang": "Finnish",
      "sense": "cornered",
      "word": "selkä seinää vasten"
    },
    {
      "code": "fr",
      "lang": "French",
      "sense": "cornered",
      "word": "aux abois"
    },
    {
      "code": "de",
      "lang": "German",
      "sense": "cornered",
      "word": "in Schach (halten)"
    },
    {
      "code": "de",
      "lang": "German",
      "sense": "cornered",
      "word": "in die Enge (treiben)"
    },
    {
      "code": "de",
      "lang": "German",
      "sense": "cornered",
      "word": "in die Ecke (drängen)"
    },
    {
      "code": "pl",
      "lang": "Polish",
      "sense": "cornered",
      "word": "zapędzony w kozi róg"
    },
    {
      "code": "pl",
      "lang": "Polish",
      "sense": "cornered",
      "word": "trzymany w szachu"
    },
    {
      "code": "ro",
      "lang": "Romanian",
      "sense": "cornered",
      "word": "în șah"
    },
    {
      "code": "ro",
      "lang": "Romanian",
      "sense": "cornered",
      "word": "legat"
    }
  ],
  "word": "at bay"
}

This page is a part of the kaikki.org machine-readable English dictionary. This dictionary is based on structured data extracted on 2024-05-01 from the enwiktionary dump dated 2024-04-21 using wiktextract (f4fd8c9 and c9440ce). The data shown on this site has been post-processed and various details (e.g., extra categories) removed, some information disambiguated, and additional data merged from other sources. See the raw data download page for the unprocessed wiktextract data.

If you use this data in academic research, please cite Tatu Ylonen: Wiktextract: Wiktionary as Machine-Readable Structured Data, Proceedings of the 13th Conference on Language Resources and Evaluation (LREC), pp. 1317-1325, Marseille, 20-25 June 2022. Linking to the relevant page(s) under https://kaikki.org would also be greatly appreciated.