Waylaying: meaning, definitions and examples

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waylaying

 

[ weษชหˆleษชษชล‹ ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

surprise attack

Waylaying refers to the act of ambushing or waiting in concealment to attack or confront someone unexpectedly. This term is often used in the context of criminal acts or predatory behavior.

Synonyms

ambush, lie in wait, trap

Examples of usage

  • The outlaw was known for waylaying travelers on the deserted road.
  • The group planned to waylay the enemy troops before they reached the fort.
  • Police advised citizens to be cautious of waylaying in the area known for high crime rates.

Translations

Translations of the word "waylaying" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น emboscada

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เค…เคตเคฐเฅ‹เคง

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช รœberfall

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ penyerangan

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะทะฐัั–ะดะบะฐ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ napad

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ๅพ…ใกไผใ›

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท embuscade

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ emboscada

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท pusu

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ๋งค๋ณต

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ูƒู…ูŠู†

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ pล™epad

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ prepad

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ไผๅ‡ป

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ zaseda

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ fella

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ั‚าฑะทะฐา›

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒกแƒแƒกแƒ แƒแƒšแƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ tษ™lษ™sik

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ emboscada

Etymology

The term 'waylaying' originates from the Old English word 'waelgan', which means to lie in wait. It is compounded from 'way', referring to a path or road, and 'lay', indicating to rest or remain in a position. Historically, waylaying was often associated with robbers or ambushers who would hide along roadways to surprise their victims. Over time, the usage of the word extended beyond physical ambushes to include metaphorical applications, such as waylaying someone's plans or intentions. This evolution reflects a broader application of the concept of waiting silently and unexpectedly in various contexts, both literal and figurative.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #39,416, 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.