waylay
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waylay
- /ˌweɪˈleɪ/ UK
- /ˈweɪleɪ/ UK
- /ˈweɪleɪ/ US
Rhymes with -eɪ
Where it comes from
From way + lay, likely a calque of Middle Dutch wegelagen (“besetting of ways, lying in wait with evil or hostile intent along public ways”). Compare Middle Low German wegelagen, German wegelagern (“to waylay; rob”).
verb waylays · waylaying · waylaid · waylayed
- To lie in wait for and attack from ambush. Oh! youthful benefactress! how often in succeeding years, standing in solitary places, and thinking of thee with grief of heart and perfect love, how often have I wished that, as in ancient times the curse of a father was believed to have a supernatural power, and to pursue its object with a fatal n
- To accost or intercept unexpectedly. And thereafter the name and fame of the man with the thousand dozen eggs began to spread through the land. […] Dyea and Skaguay took an interest in his being, and questioned his progress from every man who came over the passes. While Dawson—golden, omeletless Dawson—fretted and worried, and waylaid
