Adjacent Words

bay leaf definitions

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WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

n
1: dried leaf of the bay laurel

Merriam Webster's

noun Date: 15th century the dried leaf of the European laurel (Laurus nobilis) used in cooking

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Bay Bay, n. [F. baie a berry, the fruit of the laurel and other trees, fr. L. baca, bacca, a small round fruit, a berry, akin to Lith. bapka laurel berry.] 1. A berry, particularly of the laurel. [Obs.] 2. The laurel tree (Laurus nobilis). Hence, in the plural, an honorary garland or crown bestowed as a prize for victory or excellence, anciently made or consisting of branches of the laurel. The patriot's honors and the poet's bays. --Trumbull. 3. A tract covered with bay trees. [Local, U. S.] Bay leaf, the leaf of the bay tree (Laurus nobilis). It has a fragrant odor and an aromatic taste.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Bay leaf Bay" leaf` See under 3d Bay.

Collin's Cobuild Dictionary

(bay leaves) A bay leaf is a leaf of an evergreen tree that can be dried and used as a herb in cooking. N-COUNT