bray
1the loud, harsh cry of a donkey.
any similar loud, harsh sound.
to utter a loud and harsh cry, as a donkey.
to make a loud, harsh, disagreeable sound.
to utter with a loud, harsh sound, like a donkey.
Origin of bray
1Words that may be confused with bray
- braid, brayed
Other definitions for bray (2 of 2)
to pound or crush fine, as in a mortar.
Printing. to thin (ink) on a slate before placing on the ink plate of a press.
Origin of bray
2Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use bray in a sentence
How dare we exploit the tragedy for political purposes, brayed John Kerry.
‘Oops,’ First Debate, ‘47 Percent’ & More 2012 Election Turning Points | Mark McKinnon | November 6, 2012 | THE DAILY BEASTHow dare we exploit 9/11 for political purposes, brayed the Democrats, John Kerry, and the firefighter unions eight years ago.
Mark McKinnon: GOP Attacks on Obama’s Bin Laden Ad Misguided | Mark McKinnon | May 2, 2012 | THE DAILY BEASTAnyone who has brayed with indignation over Caroline Kennedy will no doubt feel similarly outraged over Miss Golden Globe.
The soldiers of Courtland elevated their spears and the trumpets of both hosts brayed a salute.
Joan of the Sword Hand | S(amuel) R(utherford) CrockettJack was so delighted with this suggestion, that he brayed until the hills re-echoed with the sound of his voice.
The Nursery, September 1881, Vol. XXX | Various
If it be brayed to a powder and taken in water, it imparts a glow to the face, allays the stomach, and maketh the soul to rejoice.
Sulamith: A Romance of Antiquity | Alexandre KuprinIn vain the war-pipes brayed; in vain a thousand throats cried "Claymore!"
Lochinvar | S. R. CrockettThe mule brayed temptation at him from the fence of a forest shanty.
Kenny | Leona Dalrymple
British Dictionary definitions for bray (1 of 2)
/ (breɪ) /
(intr) (of a donkey) to utter its characteristic loud harsh sound; heehaw
(intr) to make a similar sound, as in laughing: he brayed at the joke
(tr) to utter with a loud harsh sound
the loud harsh sound uttered by a donkey
a similar loud cry or uproar: a bray of protest
Origin of bray
1Derived forms of bray
- brayer, noun
British Dictionary definitions for bray (2 of 2)
/ (breɪ) /
(tr) to distribute (ink) over printing type or plates
(tr) to pound into a powder, as in a mortar
Northern English dialect to hit or beat (someone or something) hard; bang
Origin of bray
2Derived forms of bray
- brayer, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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