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Dray

 - 4 dictionary results

dray

[drey]
–noun
1. a low, strong cart without fixed sides, for carrying heavy loads.
2. a sledge or sled.
3. any vehicle, as a truck, used to haul goods, esp. one used to carry heavy loads.
–verb (used with object)
4. to convey on a dray.
–verb (used without object)
5. to drive or operate a dray, esp. as an occupation.
6. to convey goods by dray, esp. locally or for short distances.

Origin:
1325–75; ME draye sledge; cf. OE draeg- (in drægnet dragnet), akin to dragan to draw
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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dray   (drā)   
n.  A low, heavy cart without sides, used for haulage.
tr.v.   drayed, dray·ing, drays
To haul by means of a low, heavy sideless cart.

[Middle English draie, sledge, cart, from Old English dragan, to draw.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

dray 
1369, M.E. derivative of O.E. dragan "to draw," originally meaning a cart without wheels that has to be "dragged" (cf. O.N. draga "timber dragged behind a horse"); see drag. Drayage, originally "conveyance by dray" (later also in ref. to the fee for such) is attested from 1791.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Encyclopedia

dray

the heaviest type of dead-axle wagon used in conjunction with a team of draft animals. Drays were either of the two- or four-wheeled type and were employed most often in and about cities for the transport of heavy loads or objects such as large machines. Features of the dray included smaller wheels than those used on other wagons, a flat, level floor, and, usually, no sides. Some drays, however, did have box bodies or stake sides. Machinery trucks, floats, and transfer wagons were specialized varieties of drays.

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Encyclopedia Britannica, 2008. Encyclopedia Britannica Online.
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