lay1
v.
(past and past part. laid)
- put down, especially gently or carefully.
- put down and set in position for use.
▸Brit. set cutlery on (a table) in preparation for a meal.
▸put the material for (a fire) in place.
▸prepare (a trap).
▸
(lay something before)
present material for consideration and action to (someone).
- (with an abstract noun) put or place:
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lay the blame.
- (of a female bird, reptile, etc.) produce (an egg) from inside the body.
- stake (an amount of money) in a wager.
- cause (a ghost) to stop appearing; exorcize.
- vulgar slang have sexual intercourse with.
- trim (a hedge) by cutting the branches half through, bending them down, and interweaving them.
- Nautical follow (a specified course).
n.
- the general appearance of an area of land.
▸the position or direction in which something lies:
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roll the carpet against the lay of the nap.
- vulgar slang a sexual partner or act of sexual intercourse.
- the laying of eggs or the period during which they are laid.
Phrase
- lay claim to
assert one's right to or possession of. - lay hands on
find and take possession of or acquire. - lay hold of
(or on)
catch at or gain possession of. - lay someone low
reduce someone to inactivity, illness, or a lowly position. - lay something on thick
(or with a trowel)
informal grossly exaggerate or overemphasize something. - lay someone open to
expose someone to the risk of. - lay someone/thing to rest
- bury a body in a grave.
- soothe and dispel fear, anxiety, etc.
Phrase verbal
Usage
The words lay and lie are often used incorrectly. Lay means, broadly, ‘put something down’, as in they are going to lay the carpet, whereas lie means ‘be in a horizontal position to rest’, as in why don't you lie down? The past tense and the past participle of lay is laid (they laid the carpet); the past tense of lie is lay (he lay on the floor) and the past participle is lain (she had lain awake for hours).
Etymology
OE lecgan, of Gmc origin; rel. to lie1.
lay2
adj.
- not ordained into or belonging to the clergy.
- not having professional qualifications or expert knowledge.
Etymology
ME: from OFr. lai, via late L. from Gk laïkos, from laos ‘people’.
lay3
n.
- a short lyric or narrative poem meant to be sung.
- literary a song.
Etymology
ME: from OFr. lai, corresp. to Provençal lais, of unknown origin.
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