Baying Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

🐺
Add to dictionary

baying

[ˈbeɪɪŋ ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

dogs

Howling or barking loudly, typically as a group, in response to a perceived threat or as a form of communication. Baying is often associated with hunting dogs.

Synonyms

barking, howling, yelping.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
baying

Used especially for loud, elongated barking or howling, typically by hounds on a hunt or dogs reacting to certain situations.

  • The hounds were baying at the moon
  • The pack of wolves began baying as they circled their prey
howling

Indicates a long, wailing sound made by dogs, wolves, or coyotes. It can also describe people or winds making similar sounds.

  • The wolves were howling in the distance
  • He was howling in pain after the injury
barking

Commonly refers to the sharp, explosive sounds a dog makes. It can also describe how people or animals make loud, abrupt noises.

  • The dog started barking at the mailman
  • She was barking orders at her team
yelping

Describes a high-pitched cry or bark, typically made by a dog in distress or excitement. It can also refer to short, sharp cries from animals or people.

  • The puppy was yelping when it got stepped on accidentally
  • She yelped in surprise when she saw the spider

Examples of usage

  • The hounds were baying in the distance.
  • The pack of wolves began baying at the moon.
  • The dogs started baying when they heard a strange noise.
Context #2 | Noun

animals

A deep prolonged sound made by a dog, wolf, or other animal, especially in response to a threat or as a signal.

Synonyms

bark, howl, yelp.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
baying

This word is often used when describing the deep, prolonged sound made by large dogs or wolves, particularly when they are hunting or chasing something.

  • The hounds were baying in the distance, signaling that they had found the scent.
  • The wolves began baying at the moon.
howl

This is the sound made by wolves and some dog breeds, characterized by a long, deep, mournful noise. It can indicate distress, loneliness, or a call to others.

  • The lone wolf began to howl, breaking the silence of the night.
  • The dog howled in pain after getting hurt.
bark

This term describes the short, sharp sound typically made by most dogs, often as a warning or call for attention.

  • The dog started to bark when he heard the doorbell.
  • The neighbors' dog barks all night.
yelp

This word refers to a short, sharp cry or bark made by dogs, often when they are excited or in pain. It has a somewhat negative connotation when referring to pain or fear.

  • The puppy gave a yelp when its tail was stepped on.
  • She heard a yelp from the backyard as the dog played with the children.

Examples of usage

  • The bay of the hounds echoed through the forest.
  • The baying of the wolves filled the night air.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Animal Behavior

  • Baying can indicate excitement, distress, or a call for attention among dogs.
  • Certain breeds, like Bloodhounds and Foxhounds, are known for their unique baying sounds that help hunters locate them.
  • Dogs may bay in response to sirens, trains, or even the howls of other animals, demonstrating their instinctive nature.

Pop Culture

  • In the classic movie 'The Hound of the Baskervilles', a baying hound is central to the chilling mystery surrounding the protagonist.
  • Baying is often depicted in literature and films as a sound that incites fear or tension, especially in horror genres.
  • Musical artists sometimes use the sound of baying in their works to evoke feelings related to nature and primal instincts.

Literature

  • In poetry, baying can symbolize chaos or the wildness of nature, representing a struggle between civilization and untamed wildlife.
  • Writers like Jack London illustrate the connection between baying and survival in the wild, showcasing its significance for hunting and social behavior of dogs.

Behavioral Psychology

  • The sounds animals make, such as baying, can reflect their emotional state, revealing fear, excitement, or aggression.
  • Studies suggest that humans can often interpret an animal's baying to understand its intentions or feelings, which enhances the human-animal bond.
  • Baying may also impact human emotions, often stirring up nostalgia or connections to our ancestral hunter-gatherer past.

Origin of 'baying'

Main points about word origin

  • The term 'baying' comes from the Old French word 'bayer', which means 'to bark'.
  • Historically, 'baying' was often associated with hunting dogs, used to track prey through loud vocalizations.
  • The word has been in use in English since the 14th century, showing its long-standing connection with canine communication.

The word 'baying' originated from Middle English 'beyen', which means 'to bark'. Its usage in the context of howling or barking loudly, especially by dogs or wolves, has been prevalent in English since the 14th century. The association of baying with communication and hunting instincts of animals has made it a common term in describing the vocalizations of certain species.


See also: bay.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #30,802 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.