▪ I. ‖ sai1
(saɪ)
[a. Brazilian sahy, {cced}ahy; in Fr. saï. Cf. saimiri, sagoin.]
A South American monkey, Simia capucina L.
| 1774 Goldsm. Nat. Hist. (1776) IV. 236 The Sai..is somewhat larger than the Sajou... It is also called the Bewailer. 1859 Wood Illustr. Nat. Hist. I. 92 The Weeper Monkey or Sai. |
▪ II. ‖ sai2
(saɪ)
A bird, Cœreba cyanea, inhabiting tropical America.
| 1869–73 T. R. Jones Cassell's Bk. Birds III. 3 The voice of the Sai is only capable of producing a gentle twitter. |
▪ III. ‖ sai, n.3
(saɪ)
Pl. unchanged.
[Jap., a. Okinawa dial.]
A type of dagger of Okinawan origin characterized by two sharp prongs curving outward from the hilt and often used as one of a pair.
| 1973 Express (Trinidad & Tobago) 27 Apr. 31/3 The experts will give exhibitions in Kobudo (weaponry) displaying their martial skill with the sai. 1981 Best of Karate '81 Spring 59/3 However, other weapons, chain and sickle, long pole, short staff, nunchaku, sai, dagger, spear, bow and arrow, etc., are included in the arsenal of Seong Leong Kwan. 1989 P. Crompton Compl. Martial Arts 65 A pair of gleaming sai, wielded by an expert, thrills any audience at a martial arts demonstration. |
▪ IV. sai
obs. form of say; obs. pa. tense of see.