quay

views updated Jun 11 2018

quay / kē; k(w)ā/ • n. a concrete, stone, or metal platform lying alongside or projecting into water for loading and unloading ships.DERIVATIVES: quay·age / ˈkēij; ˈk(w)āij/ n.

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

quay

views updated Jun 27 2018

quay XIV. ME key(e), later kay, and finally quay (XVII) by assim, to modF. quai; — OF. kai, cay — Gaulish caio :- OCelt. *kagio- (cf. OIr. cae enclosed place, house, W. cae hedge), perh. rel. to Gmc. *χɑʒ- HEDGE.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

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