Waylaying: meaning, definitions and examples
๐จ
waylaying
[ weษชหleษชษชล ]
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
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:
๐ต๐น emboscada
๐ฎ๐ณ เค เคตเคฐเฅเคง
๐ฉ๐ช รberfall
๐ฎ๐ฉ penyerangan
๐บ๐ฆ ะทะฐััะดะบะฐ
๐ต๐ฑ napad
๐ฏ๐ต ๅพ ใกไผใ
๐ซ๐ท embuscade
๐ช๐ธ emboscada
๐น๐ท pusu
๐ฐ๐ท ๋งค๋ณต
๐ธ๐ฆ ูู ูู
๐จ๐ฟ pลepad
๐ธ๐ฐ prepad
๐จ๐ณ ไผๅป
๐ธ๐ฎ zaseda
๐ฎ๐ธ fella
๐ฐ๐ฟ ัาฑะทะฐา
๐ฌ๐ช แกแแกแ แแแ
๐ฆ๐ฟ tษlษsik
๐ฒ๐ฝ 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.
- ...
- 39413 peccadillo
- 39414 concavely
- 39415 queerer
- 39416 waylaying
- 39417 fatefully
- 39418 tyrannizing
- 39419 rakishly
- ...