bray
To bray refers to the loud, harsh, and jarring cry specifically made by a donkey. In a figurative sense, it describes a person speaking or laughing in a similarly loud, unpleasant, or raucous manner.
Exemples
3 sur 5As soon as the farmer arrived with the hay, the donkey began to bray excitedly.
The donkey made its characteristic loud, harsh cry when it saw the farmer bringing food.
The orator's tendency to bray his arguments rather than reason them out alienated the audience.
The speaker's habit of shouting his points in a harsh tone made the audience lose interest.
I couldn't hear the movie because the guy behind me kept braying at every single joke.
I was unable to enjoy the film because the person sitting behind me laughed very loudly and harshly.
Famille de mots
Astuce mémo
Think of a 'Big Raucous Animal Yell' to remember the first letters B-R-A-Y and the nature of the sound.
Quiz rapide
The silence of the countryside was suddenly broken by the loud ______ of a donkey in the distance.
Correct !
La bonne réponse est : bray
Exemples
As soon as the farmer arrived with the hay, the donkey began to bray excitedly.
everydayThe donkey made its characteristic loud, harsh cry when it saw the farmer bringing food.
The orator's tendency to bray his arguments rather than reason them out alienated the audience.
formalThe speaker's habit of shouting his points in a harsh tone made the audience lose interest.
I couldn't hear the movie because the guy behind me kept braying at every single joke.
informalI was unable to enjoy the film because the person sitting behind me laughed very loudly and harshly.
The text describes the braying of war trumpets as a precursor to the chaotic cavalry charge.
academicThe historical document mentions the loud, jarring sound of trumpets before the soldiers attacked.
During the negotiation, he did little more than bray demands without offering any compromises.
businessThroughout the meeting, he simply shouted his requirements in an unpleasant way without negotiating.
Famille de mots
Collocations courantes
Phrases Courantes
bray out
To utter something in a loud, harsh voice.
a braying laugh
A description of a laugh that sounds like a donkey's cry.
braying for attention
Loudly and obnoxiously trying to get noticed.
Souvent confondu avec
A 'brae' is a Scottish word for a hillside or slope, whereas 'bray' is a sound.
To 'pray' is to address a deity, differing in both spelling and the initial consonant sound.
Notes d'usage
Use 'bray' primarily when describing animal sounds or when you want to criticize someone's voice or laughter for being loud and obnoxious. It carries a negative connotation when applied to humans.
Erreurs courantes
Learners often use 'bray' for any animal sound, but it is strictly for donkeys/mules or sounds that specifically mimic that harsh, vibrating quality.
Astuce mémo
Think of a 'Big Raucous Animal Yell' to remember the first letters B-R-A-Y and the nature of the sound.
Origine du mot
From the Old French 'braire', which originally meant to cry out or weep loudly.
Modèles grammaticaux
Contexte culturel
In English literature, a 'braying' character is often depicted as boorish, unrefined, or lacking intellectual depth.
Quiz rapide
The silence of the countryside was suddenly broken by the loud ______ of a donkey in the distance.
Correct !
La bonne réponse est : bray
Mots lis
complement
A2A thing that completes or brings to perfection something else. In grammar, it refers to a word or phrase that follows a verb and provides more information about the subject or object.
compound
A2Describes something that is made of two or more separate parts or elements joined together. It is often used to talk about words, sentences, or chemical substances that have multiple components.
conceive
A2To form an idea, plan, or concept in the mind. It is also the medical term used to describe when a woman becomes pregnant.
confer
A2To discuss something with other people in order to reach a decision or exchange ideas. It can also mean to officially give an honor, title, or degree to someone.
conform
A2To behave according to rules, standards, or what is expected by a group of people. It means to fit in or act in a way that matches others.
consecutive
A2Following one after another in a continuous series without any breaks. It describes things that happen in a logical order, like numbers (1, 2, 3) or days (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday).
consistency
A2Consistency is the quality of always acting or behaving in the same way. it also describes how thick or smooth a liquid or substance is.
disclude
B1Describing a state where someone or something is left out, omitted, or not allowed to participate in a group or activity. It refers to the condition of being kept apart from a whole or a set.
antiformous
B1Describes a shape or structure that is curved or folded upwards like an arch. It is most often used in geology and geometry to describe a convex surface.
interspect
B1Describing a person who is thoughtful and focused on their own internal thoughts and feelings. It refers to the act of looking inward to examine one's own emotions and motives rather than focusing on external things.
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