waylay

[wey-ley, wey-ley]

verb (used with object)

waylaid, waylaying 

1. to intercept or attack from ambush, as in order to rob, seize, or slay.

2. to await and accost unexpectedly.

   The actor was waylaid by a swarm of admirers.

waylay

/ weɪˈleɪ /

verb

1. to lie in wait for and attack

2. to await and intercept unexpectedly

Other Word Forms

• waylayer noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of waylay¹

First recorded in 1505–15; way ¹ + lay ¹, after Middle Low German, Middle Dutch wegelagen “to lie in wait,” derivative of wegelage “a lying in wait”

Word History and Origins

Origin of waylay¹

C16: from _way + _lay ¹

Example Sentences

Creator Loren Bouchard and actor H. Jon Benjamin — who voices the “Bob” of the title — were unexpectedly waylaid by illness and travel troubles, respectively.

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And though it’s much easier now to find books and other media taking a range of perspectives on menopause, it’s also easy to be waylaid by influencers, charlatans and factionalism.

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She’s particularly focused on underfunded schools in the Altadena area where fire damage has waylaid rebuilding efforts.

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In June 2016, the couple allege in court papers, cops waylaid them on a road, handcuffed them and drove them to see “boss Veytia” at a police headquarters in Tepic.

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But unlike in the past, Byrne’s new movie never waylays you with a surprise narrative wrinkle or unexpected thematic depth.

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Related Words

• accost