Definition

1. Noun:
   • A jointed model of the human body used by artists: A "lay figure" is a dummy, typically made of wood or other materials, with articulated joints. Artists use it to study human proportions, posture, and drapery of clothing.
   • A person of no importance or individuality; a mere puppet: Figuratively, a "lay figure" can describe a person who lacks independent character, initiative, or significance, often one who is easily manipulated.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The painter adjusted the lay figure to capture the correct posture for his drawing. (The artist positioned the dummy to get the right pose.)
  • In the novel, the politician was portrayed as a mere lay figure, controlled by shadowy advisors. (The character was depicted as a puppet without real power.)

Advanced Usage

• Used in art criticism: To describe a fictional character that seems flat, unrealistic, or merely a vehicle for the author's ideas.
  • The protagonist felt like a lay figure, serving only to deliver the author's philosophical monologues. (The main character seemed like a hollow puppet.)

Variants and Related Words

• Mannequin (n): A model of the human body used for displaying clothes or for artistic purposes. (Often used interchangeably in the artistic sense, though "mannequin" is more common for fashion displays.)
• Dummy (n): A model of a person, used for various purposes such as clothing displays, crash tests, or ventriloquism. (A broader term that can include lay figures.)

Synonyms

• Puppet: A person whose actions are controlled by others. (Emphasizes lack of autonomy.)
• Nonentity: A person or thing of no importance or significance. (Emphasizes insignificance.)
• Manikin: Another term for an artist's jointed model. (A direct synonym in the artistic context.)

Idioms and Figurative Use

• To be a lay figure: To act or be treated as a person without will or importance.
  • He refused to be a lay figure in the company's plans and voiced his strong objections. (He refused to be a passive puppet.)

Noun

1. dummy in the form of an artist's jointed model of the human body