cay

plural cays · plural cayes · alternative key

1. A small, low island largely made of sand or coral.

plural cays

1. obsoleteObsolete spelling of quay (“structure for loading vessels”).

   But to return to our Enemies: being disembarked, they began to form a Squadron of 1500. men upon the Cay, which was nearest to the Town; […]

   1666, A Relation of the Defeating Card. Mazarine & Oliv. Cromwel’s Design […], page 128

   1 more example

   But (by your leave) I had a hard welcome in my landing, for bidding farewell to the Turkes, who had kindly used me three dayes, in our passage from the Castles, the Master of the boate saying adio Christiano: There were foure French Runnagates standing on the Cay; who hearing these words, fell desperatly upon me blaspheming the Name of Jesus, and throwing me to the ground, beate me most cruelly: […]

   1640, William Lithgow, The Totall Discourse, of the rare Adventures, and painefull Peregrinations of long nineteene yeares Travailes […], page 130