Quai

/keɪ/ noun

Definition

A wharf or dock where ships load and unload cargo, especially in French-speaking regions; the French spelling of 'quay.'

Etymology

From French quai, from Old French kai, possibly from Breton or Celtic languages. The English 'quay' is borrowed from the same French source.

Kelly Says

This is one of those French words that stuck around in English because trading ports with French merchants were so important—and the word 'quai' looks fancy but it just means a simple place where boats dock.

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