hay

views updated May 18 2018

hay¹ / hā/ • n. grass that has been mown and dried for use as fodder.PHRASES: hit the hay inf. go to bed.hay² • n. a country dance with interweaving steps similar to a reel. ∎ a winding figure in such a dance.

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

hay

views updated May 23 2018

hay grass cut and dried. OE. hēġ, hī(e)ġ = OS. hōi, OHG. hewi, houwi (Du. hooi, G. heu), ON. hey (whence the native word was reinforced), Goth. hawi :- Gmc. *χaujam, f. *χauwan cut down, HEW.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

hay

views updated May 14 2018

hay
1. An enclosure or hedge.

2. Part of a forest that has been fenced off for hunting.

3. Grass that has been conserved by drying and that is to be used later as feed or bedding for livestock.

A Dictionary of Plant Sciences MICHAEL ALLABY

hay

views updated May 14 2018

hay
1. An enclosure or hedge.

2. Part of a forest which has been fenced off for hunting.

3. Grass that has been conserved by drying to be used later as feed or bedding for livestock.

A Dictionary of Ecology MICHAEL ALLABY