Table of Contents
What does cay mean in the dictionary?
cay. [ kē, kā ] A small, low island composed largely of coral or sand. Also called key.
What is a Caribbean cay?
cay, also spelled key, small, low island, usually sandy, situated on a coral reef platform. Such islands are commonly referred to as keys in Florida and parts of the Caribbean. Sand cays are usually built on the edge of the coral platform, opposite the direction from which the prevailing winds blow.
What is a synonym for cay?
Synonyms & Near Synonyms for cay. atoll, barrier reef, coral reef, key.
How does a cay form?
Cays are formed when ocean waves and tidal currents transport loose sediment across the reef top surface to a depositional node where concentration occurs and the sedimentary pile rises above the high tide (Hopley, 1981; Gourlay, 1988). Over time soil and vegetation may develop on the cay surface.
Is cay a real word?
A cay (/ˈkiː/ or /ˈkeɪ/), also spelled caye or key, is a small, low-elevation, sandy island on the surface of a coral reef.
What’s the difference between a key and a cay?
A cay is a naturally occurring low island, either a sandbar or a coral reef. Key also may refer to a naturally occurring low island, either a sandbar or a coral reef. Key is most often applied to Caribbean islands.
Is a cay a key?
A cay (also spelled key; both pronounced alike as “key” English pronunciation: /kiː/) is a small, low island consisting mostly of sand or coral and situated on top of a coral reef. The English word cay comes from the Spanish word cayo and this from the Taíno word cayo meaning “small island”.
What is the difference between a key and a cay?
What part of speech is Cay?
cay
part of speech: | noun |
---|---|
definition: | a small, low-lying island or reef; key. similar words: key |
How do you pronounce Cay?
“Cay” is usually pronounced the same way (KEE), but some dictionaries give an alternate pronunciation, KAY. “Quay” was originally pronounced KEE, and that’s still the preferred pronunciation (it was once spelled “key”).
How do you say cay?
Why are islands called cay?
The English word cay comes from the Spanish word cayo and this from the Taíno word cayo meaning “small island”. The English words key and quay (which means wharf) come from the old French kai meaning “sand bank”. Because of that, cays are often elongated. Tides and wind (and sometimes sea birds) deposit coral debris.
How is the word ‘Cay’ pronounced?
A cay (also spelled key; both pronounced alike as “key” English pronunciation: /kiː/) is a small, low island consisting mostly of sand or coral and situated on top of a coral reef. The English word cay comes from the Spanish word cayo and this from the Taíno word cayo meaning “small island”.
What is difference between an island and a cay?
As nouns the difference between cay and island is that cay is a small, low island largely made of sand or coral while island is a contiguous area of land, smaller than a continent, totally surrounded by water. to surround with water; make into an island.
Is Cay a word?
Cay is a 3 letter word, used as a noun, a kindergarten word with Arawakan origins, and has the letters acy (acy). Starts with c, ends with y, two consonants, one vowel and one syllable. Cay is also a 1 syllable boy name.
What is key vs Cay?
Key is an alternative form of cay. Cay is an alternative form of key. As nouns the difference between cay and key. is that cay is a small, low island largely made of sand or coral while key is an object designed to open and close a lock or key can be one of a string of small islands. As a adjective key is. indispensable, supremely important.