shay

2 9.9

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

noun
/ʃeɪ/

Archaic

: calesa

Synonyms

cab

vsshay

Archaic

10 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

cabriolet

vsshay

Archaic

3 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

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

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

chaise

vsshay

Archaic

1 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

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

jaunting car

vsshay

Archaic

1 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

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

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.