red bay

noun

1. an evergreen tree, Persea borbonia, of the eastern coast of the U.S., having faintly bluish-green leaves and blue or blue-black, red-stalked fruit, grown as an ornamental.

Word History and Origins

Origin of red bay¹

An Americanism dating back to 1720–30

Example Sentences

"I have seen brooks of that color where the water flowed over red bay tree roots," Walter volunteered.

From Project Gutenberg

Spurred by the benefits of the Red Bay store, the people of a little village about forty miles away determined to combine also.

From Project Gutenberg

So on and on and on he went, till at last arriving at Red Bay he found his schooner at anchor calmly fishing.

From Project Gutenberg

He roped a big, red bay, smooth, with a glossy coat that shone like a flame in the clear white light of the morning sun.

From Project Gutenberg

I examined with suspicion the red-bay horse that had been assigned to me.

From Project Gutenberg