quay
pronunciation
How to pronounce quay in British English:
UK [ki:]
How to pronounce quay in American English:
US [ki]
-
- Noun:
- wharf usually built parallel to the shoreline
Word Origin
- quay
- quay: [14] Quay is of Celtic origin. Its immediate source was Old French kai, but this was borrowed from Gaulish caio, which went back to an Old Celtic *kagio-. The spelling quay was introduced from modern French in the 17th century. The homophonic cay ‘small coral island’ [18] comes from cayo, a Spanish borrowing from French quai.=> cay
- quay (n.)
- 1690s, variant of Middle English key, keye, caye "wharf" (c. 1300; mid-13c. in place names), from Old North French cai (Old French chai, 12c., Modern French quai) "sand bank," from Gaulish caium (5c.), from Old Celtic *kagio- "to encompass, enclose" (cognates: Welsh cae "fence, hedge," Cornish ke "hedge"), from PIE *kagh- "to catch, seize; wickerwork, fence" (see hedge (n.)). Spelling altered in English by influence of French quai.
Example
- 1. Further along the quay two figures were approaching .
- 2. Even the fishermen 's quay has been quick to respond to the delicate chinese taste for live seafood .
- 3. For those craving western food , there are snazzy and quaint restaurants along clark and boat quay , offering plenty of choices .
- 4. The two royal suites have a sweeping view of sydney 's central business district , circular quay and walsh bay to be enjoyed from the comfort of the bathtub .
- 5. Job swapping at the quay .