embay

[ em-bey ]

verb (used with object)

1. to enclose in or as if in a bay; surround or envelop.
2. to form into a bay.

embay

/ ɪmˈbeɪ /

verb

1. to form into a bay
2. to enclose in or as if in a bay
3. (esp of the wind) to force (a ship, esp a sailing ship) into a bay

Other Words From

• unem·bayed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of embay¹

First recorded in 1575–85; em- ¹ + bay ¹

Example Sentences

Embay, em-bā′, v.t. to enclose in a bay: to land-lock.—n.

From Project Gutenberg

As earth, sad earth, thrusts many a gloomy cape Into the sea's bright colour and living glee, So do we strive to embay that mystery Which earthly hands must ever let escape; The Word we seek for is the golden shape That shall enshrine the Soul we cannot see, A temporal chalice of Eternity Purple with beating blood of the hallowed grape.

From Project Gutenberg

How perfect is the verdure—how rich the blossoming shrubberies that screen with verdurous walls from the possibility of intrusion, whilst by their own wandering line of distribution they shape and umbrageously embay, what one might call lawny saloons and vestibules—sylvan galleries and closets.

From Project Gutenberg

The softened season all the landscape charms; Those hills, my native village that embay, 20In waves of dreamier purple roll away, And floating in mirage seem all the glimmering farms.

From Project Gutenberg

And in the midst of all a fountaine stood, Of richest substance that on earth might bee, So pure and shiny that the silver flood Through every channel running one might see; Most goodly it with curious ymageree Was over-wrought, and shapes of naked boyes, Of which some seemed with lively iollitee To fly about, playing their wanton toyes, Whylest others did themselves embay in liquid ioyes.

From Project Gutenberg