quay

quay

noun \ˈkē, ˈkā, ˈkwā\

Definition of QUAY

: a structure built parallel to the bank of a waterway for use as a landing place

Examples of QUAY

1. <docked the ferry at the quay to let the passengers off>

Origin of QUAY

alteration of earlier key, from Middle English, from Middle French dialect (Picard) kay, probably of Celtic origin; akin to Breton kae hedge, enclosure; akin to Old English hecg hedge

First Known Use: circa 1635

Related to QUAY

Synonyms: float, jetty, landing, levee, pier, quai, dock, wharf

Related Words: berth, mooring, slip; embarcadero [West]; dockyard, marina, quayage, shipyard, wharfage

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Other Nautical Terms

avast, aweigh, flotsam, jib, keel, lee, port, starboard, stay

Rhymes with QUAY

a, ae, bay, bey, blae, brae, bray, chez, clay, Cray, day, dey, dray, eh, fay, fey, flay, fley, frae, fray, Frey, gay, Gay, gey, gley, gray, hay, he, hey, Hue, j, jay, Jay, k, kay, Kay, lay, lei, may, nay, né, née, neigh, Ney, pay, pe, play, pray, prey, qua, quai, Rae, ray, re, say, shay, slay, sleigh, spae, spay, Spey, splay, spray, stay, stray, sway, Tay, they, tray, trey, way, weigh, whey, yea