lullay

English

Alternative forms

• lulla, lully

Etymology

Imitative or onomatopoeic sounds to lull a child to sleep. See also lull and lullaby. Compare Icelandic lúlla, German lullen.

Pronunciation

• enPR: lo͞oʹlā, IPA^(key): /lu.ˈleɪ/
• enPR: ʹlo͞olā, IPA^(key): /ˈlu.leɪ/
• enPR: lo͞oʹlī, IPA^(key): /lu.ˈlaɪ/

Interjection

lullay

1. (archaic) Used to soothe or urge someone to sleep.
   • 1866, Edmund Sedding, “Lullaby Carols”, in The Gentlemen's Magazine, and Historical Chronicle, page 89:

     ...in "Ludus Coventriæ", of the 15th century, we find a specimen of a Lullaby Song ... lully, lullay, Thou little tiny CHILD,