| Library / English Dictionary |
TRAY
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
I. (noun)
Sense 1
Meaning:
An open receptacle for holding or displaying or serving articles or food
Classified under:
Nouns denoting man-made objects
Hypernyms ("tray" is a kind of...):
receptacle (a container that is used to put or keep things in)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "tray"):
alms dish; alms tray (a tray for collecting the offering from a congregation)
cafeteria tray (a tray for carrying your food in a cafeteria)
cheese tray; cheeseboard (tray on which cheeses are served)
icetray (a tray for making cubes of ice in a refrigerator)
inkstand (a tray or stand for writing implements and containers for ink)
salver (a tray (or large plate) for serving food or drinks; usually made of silver)
tea tray (a tray that accommodates a tea service)
lazy Susan; turntable (a revolving tray placed on a dining table)
Context examples:
Mrs. Grant and her tambour frame were not without their use: it was all in harmony; and as everything will turn to account when love is once set going, even the sandwich tray, and Dr.
(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)
Catherine did not hear enough of this speech to understand or be pained by it; and other subjects being studiously brought forward and supported by Henry, at the same time that a tray full of refreshments was introduced by his servant, the general was shortly restored to his complacency, and Catherine to all her usual ease of spirits.
(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)
Much could not be hoped from the traffic of even the busiest part of Highbury;—Mr. Perry walking hastily by, Mr. William Cox letting himself in at the office-door, Mr. Cole's carriage-horses returning from exercise, or a stray letter-boy on an obstinate mule, were the liveliest objects she could presume to expect; and when her eyes fell only on the butcher with his tray, a tidy old woman travelling homewards from shop with her full basket, two curs quarrelling over a dirty bone, and a string of dawdling children round the baker's little bow-window eyeing the gingerbread, she knew she had no reason to complain, and was amused enough; quite enough still to stand at the door.
(Emma, by Jane Austen)
On one side was a table occupied by some chattering girls, cutting up silk and gold paper; and on the other were tressels and trays, bending under the weight of brawn and cold pies, where riotous boys were holding high revel; the whole completed by a roaring Christmas fire, which seemed determined to be heard, in spite of all the noise of the others.
(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)
Give the tray to me; I will carry it in.
(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)
He has to take the tray in.
(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
On it stood a silver tray of smokables and a burnished spirit-stand, from which and an adjacent siphon my silent host proceeded to charge two high glasses.
(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
There now, the trays are ready, and everything in but my ball dress, which I shall leave for Mother to pack, said Meg, cheering up, as she glanced from the half-filled trunk to the many times pressed and mended white tarlaton, which she called her 'ball dress' with an important air.
(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)
Notwithstanding the aversion with which I regarded the idea of entrapping him into any disclosure he was not prepared to make voluntarily, I should have taken him up at this point, but for the strange proceedings in which I saw him engaged; whereof his putting the lemon-peel into the kettle, the sugar into the snuffer-tray, the spirit into the empty jug, and confidently attempting to pour boiling water out of a candlestick, were among the most remarkable.
(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)
Edmund said no more to either lady; but going quietly to another table, on which the supper-tray yet remained, brought a glass of Madeira to Fanny, and obliged her to drink the greater part.
(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)
