bay, baye

& s. [O. Fr., Mod. Fr., and Prov. bai; Sp. bayo; Port. baio; Ital. bajo, baio; from Lat. badius = chestnut coloured. Compare Gael. buidhe = yellow.] A. As adjective : Of a reddish-brown, approaching to a chestnut colour. (Applied chiefly to horses, many of whom are of the hue now described, with a black mane and tail.) my lord, you gave Good words the other day of a bay courser I rode on. "Tis yours because you liked it." Shakesp.: Tim. of Athens , 1. 2 B. As substantive : 1. The colour described under A. "A bay horse is what is inclining to a chestnut: and this colour is various, either a light bay or a dark bay , according as it is le or more deep. There are also coloured horses that are called dappled bays . All bay horses are commonly called brown by the common people. "All bay horses have black manes, which distinguish them from the sorrel that have red or white manes. "There are light bays and gilded bays which are somewhat of a yellowish colour. The chestnut bay is that which comes nearest to the colour of the chestnut."- Farrier's Dict . 2. A horse of that colour. he steps into the welcome chaise, Lolls at his ease behind four handsome bays , That whirl away from busine and debate, The disencumber'd Atlas of the state." Cowper: Retirement. (See also the example under B. 1.)