The Collaborative Dictionary

Waylay \Way"lay`\ (?; 277), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Waylaid; p. pr. & vb. n. Waylaying.] [Way + lay.] To lie in wait for; to meet or encounter in the way; especially, to watch for the passing of, with a view to seize, rob, or slay; to beset in ambush. [1913 Webster] Falstaff, Bardolph, Peto, and Gadshill shall rob those men that we have already waylaid. --Shak. [1913 Webster] She often contrived to waylay him in his walks. --Sir W. Scott. [1913 Webster]

Word Net

waylay v : wait in hiding to attack [syn: ambush, scupper, bushwhack, lurk, ambuscade, lie in wait] [also: waylaid]

English

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˌweɪ'leɪ/

  Rhymes: -eɪ

Verb

1. To lie in wait for and attack from ambush.
2. To accost or intercept unexpectedly.

Translations