VocabDictionary

waylaid

/weษชหˆleษชd/advanced Level

English Meaning & Definitions

1.verb

Interrupted, stopped, or detained someone while they were on their way somewhere, often to attack, converse, or detain them.

Example Sentences:
  • โ€œThe travelers were waylaid by bandits on the mountain pass.โ€
  • โ€œShe was waylaid in the corridor by a colleague asking for advice.โ€
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English Synonyms & Near Equivalents

English Antonyms & Opposites

Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown

Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for โ€œwaylaidโ€.

Thesaurus Entry
Cultural Origin & Etymology

Derived from the verb 'waylay', which comes from Middle English 'wayleyen', combining 'way' (path, road) + 'layen' (to lay, place). Originally used in hunting and warfare to describe lying in wait along a path to ambush someone or something.

Memory Aid & Mnemonic

Think of someone being 'laid' across your 'way' to stop you from moving forward.

Frequently Asked Questions About โ€œwaylaidโ€

1. What is the meaning of โ€œwaylaidโ€ in English?

In English, waylaid (verb) is defined as: โ€œInterrupted, stopped, or detained someone while they were on their way somewhere, often to attack, converse, or detain them.โ€.

2. How do you use โ€œwaylaidโ€ in a sentence?

โ€œThe travelers were waylaid by bandits on the mountain pass.โ€

3. What are English synonyms of โ€œwaylaidโ€?

Common synonyms include:ambushed,intercepted,detained,trapped,stopped

4. What is the etymology and word origin of โ€œwaylaidโ€?

Derived from the verb 'waylay', which comes from Middle English 'wayleyen', combining 'way' (path, road) + 'layen' (to lay, place). Originally used in hunting and warfare to describe lying in wait along a path to ambush someone or something.