waylay

[ wey-ley, wey-ley ]
/ ˈweɪˌleɪ, weɪˈleɪ /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR waylay ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), way·laid, way·lay·ing.

to intercept or attack from ambush, as in order to rob, seize, or slay.
to await and accost unexpectedly: The actor was waylaid by a swarm of admirers.

Origin of waylay

1505–15; way1 + lay1, after Middle Low German, Middle Dutch wegelagen to lie in wait, derivative of wegelage a lying in wait

OTHER WORDS FROM waylay

way·lay·er, noun

Words nearby waylay

wayfaring tree, waygoing, waygoing crop, waylaid, wayland, waylay, wayleave, wayleggo, wayless, waymark, waymarked

Words related to waylay

accost, box, skulk, slink, lurk, prowl, bushwhack, jump, attack, surprise, catch, assail, ambuscade

Example sentences from the Web for waylay

British Dictionary definitions for waylay

waylay
/ (weɪˈleɪ) /

verb -lays, -laying or -laid (tr)

to lie in wait for and attack
to await and intercept unexpectedly

Derived forms of waylay

waylayer, noun

Word Origin for waylay

C16: from way + lay 1