Bayed Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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bayed

[beɪd ]

Definition

Context #1 | Verb

animal sound

Bayed is the past tense of the verb 'bay', which refers to the sound made by certain animals, especially dogs, when they bark loudly or howl. It typically suggests a long, deep, and often mournful sound, particularly in hunting or during the pursuit of game.

Synonyms

barked, howled, yowled.

Examples of usage

  • The hounds bayed at the moon.
  • As the wolf bayed, the forest echoed with its haunting cry.
  • The bloodhounds bayed loudly as they picked up the scent.
  • He could hear the dogs baying in the distance.

Translations

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Interesting Facts

Pop Culture

  • In classic literature, baying is often used to create an atmosphere of suspense, especially in stories set in the wilderness.
  • Films depicting hunting scenes frequently feature dogs that bay, emphasizing their role and the urgency of the chase.
  • The phrase 'bayed at the moon' has been used in songs and poetry, portraying a sense of wildness and unrestrained emotion.

Animals

  • Baying is a behavioral trait in certain breeds of dogs, especially scent hounds, who use it as a method to communicate during hunts.
  • Baying can indicate a dog’s excitement or alertness when they sense something unusual in their surroundings.
  • Some wild canines, like wolves, also bay to communicate with their pack members across long distances.

Psychology

  • Hound baying is linked to social behavior in animals; it helps in uniting the pack during hunts and signaling each other.
  • The sound can evoke emotions in humans, often stirring feelings of adventure or nostalgia for the wild outdoors.
  • Research in animal behavior shows that baying can signal both alarm and joy, reflecting the complex emotional lives of dogs.

Literature

  • Baying often appears in poetry and prose to symbolize primal instincts or the call of the wild and nature's raw beauty.
  • Writers may use the imagery of a dog baying to indicate a shift in mood or foreshadow events in a narrative.
  • Famous authors have likened human emotions to the baying of dogs, drawing comparisons between animal instincts and human feelings.

Origin of 'bayed'

Main points about word origin

  • The word 'bayed' comes from the Old French word 'baier,' meaning 'to bark,' and has been used in English since the 14th century.
  • In Middle English, the form 'baye' referred to the noise made by hounds during a hunt, closely relating to how dogs communicate.
  • The sound of baying was originally associated with hunting and tracking, and it marked the presence of hounds during a chase.

The word 'bay' originates from the Old French 'baier', meaning to bark or cry out. This, in turn, comes from the Latin 'bavere', meaning to bark. The earliest recorded uses of 'bay' in English date back to the 14th century, initially relating to the sounds made by hunting dogs. Over time, it has also been used metaphorically to describe sounds made by other animals or even in a more abstract sense, such as expressing strong emotions. The evolution of the word reflects the deep-rooted connection between humans and their domesticated animals, especially in contexts relating to hunting and the outdoors.


Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #37,314, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.