Waylay — Way lay (?; 277), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Waylaid}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Waylaying}.] [Way + lay.] To lie in wait for; to meet or encounter in the way; especially, to watch for the passing of, with a view to seize, rob, or slay; to beset in ambush.… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
waylay — [wā′lā΄, wā΄lā′] vt. waylaid, waylaying [ WAY + LAY1, after MLowG wegelagen, to waylay < wegelage, an ambush < weg, akin to WAY + lage, a lying < base of leggian; akin to LIE1] 1. to lie in wait for and attack; ambush … English World dictionary
waylay — index accost, ambush, assail, attack, carry away, ensnare, jostle (pickpocket), kidnap … Law dictionary
waylay — to ambush, 1510s, from WAY (Cf. way) + LAY (Cf. lay) (v.), on model of M.L.G., M.Du. wegelagen besetting of ways, lying in wait with evil or hostile intent along public ways … Etymology dictionary
waylay — *surprise, ambush Analogous words: *attack, assault, assail: *prevent, forestall … New Dictionary of Synonyms
waylay — has inflected forms waylays, waylaid, waylaying … Modern English usage
waylay — [v] intercept, ambush accost, ambuscade, assail, attack, box*, bushwhack*, catch, hold up, jump, lay for*, lie in wait, lurk, pounce on, prowl, set upon, skulk, slink, surprise, swoop down on*; concepts 86,121 Ant. allow, forward … New thesaurus
waylay — ► VERB (past and past part. waylaid) 1) intercept in order to attack. 2) intercept and detain with questions, conversation, etc … English terms dictionary
waylay — UK [ˌweɪˈleɪ] / US [ˈweɪˌleɪ] verb [transitive] Word forms waylay : present tense I/you/we/they waylay he/she/it waylays present participle waylaying past tense waylaid UK [ˌweɪˈleɪd] / US [ˈweɪˌleɪd] past participle waylaid to stop someone who… … English dictionary
waylay — transitive verb (waylaid; laying) Date: 1513 to lie in wait for or attack from ambush … New Collegiate Dictionary
