Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “waylay” come from?

Waylay derives from English way and lay, with way tracing to Latin laicus and ultimately Proto-Indo-European weǵʰ- meaning to go or convey.

waylay (English): To lie in wait for and attack from ambush; To...

Definitions

  1. To lie in wait for and attack from ambush; To...

Ancestry of “waylay”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Middle Dutchwegelagen—
2Old High Germanwegway
3Proto-West Germanicwegway, road
4Proto-Germanicwēgazwave; sea
5Proto-Indo-Europeanweǵʰ-to bring; to transport

Words derived from “waylay”

  • waylaying
  • waylayer
Every word from Proto-Indo-European weǵʰ- →