Bray

/bɹeɪ/ · verb

Meaning

(intransitive) Of an animal (now chiefly of animals related to the ass or donkey, and the camel): to make its cry..

Definitions by Sense

1. (intransitive) Of an animal (now chiefly of animals related to the ass or donkey, and the camel): to make its cry.
2. (intransitive, by extension) To make a harsh, discordant sound like a donkey's bray.
3. (transitive) To make or utter (a shout, sound, etc.) discordantly, loudly, or in a harsh and grating manner.
4. The cry of an animal, now chiefly that of animals related to the ass or donkey, or the camel.
5. (by extension) Any discordant, grating, or harsh sound.
6. (transitive, archaic) To crush or pound, especially using a pestle and mortar.
7. (transitive, British, chiefly Yorkshire, by extension) To hit (someone or something).

Example Sentences

Whenever I walked by, that donkey brayed at me.

When she went to the famous ass-race [...], it was not, like other ladies, to hear those poor animals bray, nor see fellows run naked, or to hear country squires in bob wigs and white girdles make love at the side of a coach and cry, "Madam, this is dainty weather."

Henry [IV of France], paſſing through a little town, ſaw ſeveral deputies coming up to harangue him. One of them having commenced his diſcourſe, was interrupted by an aſs, who began to bray. "Gentlemen," cried the King, "one at a time, if you pleaſe."—

The horse neighs, but the ass brays: the last is performed by a very loud, long, disagreeable, discordant cry, consisting of discords alternately sharp and flat. He seldom brays but when pressed with hunger or love. [...] When gelded, the ass brays with a low voice; and, though he makes the same efforts and the same motions of the throat, yet the sound reaches to no great distance.

He threw back his head and brayed with laughter.

Heard ye the din of battle bray, / Lance to lance, and horſe to horſe? / Long Years of havock urge their deſtined courſe, / And thro' the kindred ſquadrons mow their way.

"But, Jack, it's all so circumstantial—you said so yourself," Brammel brayed, never stronger than when demonstrating that two positives made a negative.

[N]ow ſtorming furie roſe, / And clamour ſuch as heard in Heav'n till now / Was never, Arms on Armour claſhing bray'd / Horrible discord, and the madding Wheeles / Of brazen Chariots rag'd; [...]

Synonyms for bray

Antonyms for bray

Related Words

Word Forms

• brays
• braying
• brayed

Usage Notes

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