waylay
To lie in wait for and attack from ambushTo lie in wait for and attack from ambush.
» He was waylaid by a band of guerrillas.
Его подстерегла группа партизан.
Meaning
2 senses(transitive)To lie in wait for and attack from ambush.
wegelagern, auflauern
подстерега́тьpodsteregátʹ, подкарау́ливатьpodkaraúlivatʹ
wait in hiding to attack
(transitive)To accost or intercept unexpectedly.
auflauern
подкарау́ливатьpodkaraúlivatʹ, поджида́тьpodžidátʹ
Examples
9 sentencesHe was waylaid by a band of guerrillas.
ruЕго подстерегла группа партизан.
Bandits often waylay travelers on the mountain road.
I'm afraid that, if my guard is not maintained, I will be waylaid.
I was waylaid by a colleague on Friday, which meant I missed the meeting.
deAm Freitag hielt mich meine Arbeitskollegin im Gespräch auf, sodass ich die Versammlung versäumte.
The bandits hid along the forest road, ready to waylay any traveler who passed.
Translations
6 languagesBy meaning 2
By meaning 1
Origin
From way + lay, likely a calque of Middle Dutch wegelagen (“besetting of ways, lying in waFrom way + lay, likely a calque of Middle Dutch wegelagen (“besetting of ways, lying in wait with evil or hostile intent along public ways”). Compare Middle Low German wegelagen, German wegelagern (“to waylay; rob”).
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Forms
waylays, waylaying, waylaid, waylaidSynonyms
7 synonymsWord family
1 related wordsLessons for this word
3 lessons- A1Present simple — Because it is a verb
- A1Past simple, irregular verbs — Because of its past form
- A2Present perfect: introduction — Because of its past participle