waylay — to stop someone and attack them or speak to them, especially when they are not expecting it
Part of speech: VERB
Definition: to stop someone and attack them or speak to them, especially when they are not expecting it
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈweɪleɪ/
Example Sentences
- The reporter was waylaid by fans who recognized her at the airport.
- I planned to go straight home, but got waylaid by a 50% off sale at the bookstore.
- The pizza delivery guy was waylaid by a group of hungry college students.
waylay
VERB[/ˈweɪleɪ/]
to stop someone and attack them or speak to them, especially when they are not expecting it
Bandits waylay the merchant's carriage on the forest road at dusk.
Bandits waylay the relay, causing a dangerous delay!
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
This word emerged in the 16th century from the combination of Middle English 'way' (path, road) and 'lay' (to place, to lie down). The compound originally described the act of lying in wait on a road, which evolved to mean ambushing or intercepting someone.
Breakdown
way (road, path) + lay (to place, to lie down). The compound literally means 'to lie down on a way/path', which developed the sense of lying in ambush or intercepting travelers.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“The reporter was waylaid by fans who recognized her at the airport.”
“I planned to go straight home, but got waylaid by a 50% off sale at the bookstore.”
“The pizza delivery guy was waylaid by a group of hungry college students.”
“Highwaymen used to waylay coaches on lonely roads.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
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