shay

1 9.9

A light two-wheeled carriage with a folding roof for one horse to pull

noun
/ʃeɪ/

Archaic

: calesa

Synonyms

hansom

vsshay

Archaic

3 9.9

A small two-wheeled horse carriage with a covered passenger seat and the driver behind

is open with a folding hood rather than a fixed covered compartment

hansom cab

vsshay

Archaic

2 9.9

A small two-wheeled carriage pulled by a horse with a covered seat for passengers and a driver behind

is open with a folding hood rather than a fixed covered compartment

chaise

vsshay

Archaic

2 9.9

A light open carriage with two wheels and a folding cover pulled by one horse

is the same vehicle but known by a different traditional name

cabriolet

vsshay

Archaic

2 9.9

A small light two-wheeled horse-drawn carriage for two people with a folding hood

is the same type but not limited to two seats

gig

vsshay

Archaic

1 9.9

A light two-wheeled carriage pulled by one horse

is similar but has a folding hood for weather protection

cab

vsshay

Archaic

1 8.8

A small two-wheeled carriage with two seats and a folding hood

is similar but can refer to varying sizes and seat arrangements

curricle

vsshay

Archaic

1 9.9

A light open carriage with two wheels that two horses pull, used in the past for personal travel

is similar but normally uses only a single horse instead of two

roadster

vsshay

Archaic

8.3

A small, light carriage pulled by one horse for one person

is similar but usually carries one or two passengers rather than one

jaunting car

vsshay

Archaic

9.9

An open two-wheeled carriage pulled by a horse originally used in Ireland to carry people

is similar but usually includes a folding top for weather protection

Surface Forms

shay singular

shays plural

Etymology

Shay comes from the French chaise, which means 'chair' and is the same root as English chair. So a shay is a light two-wheeled carriage — it was like a 'chair' on wheels with a folding top.