lay

/lei/
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lay

A hen lays eggs in the straw of the coop.

Definition

  1. Adjective:

    • Non-professional or non-clerical: Not belonging to or having the specialized knowledge of a particular profession, especially law or medicine, or not being an ordained member of the clergy.
    • Example: The committee sought both expert and lay opinions on the matter.

  2. Noun:

    • A narrative poem or song: A short narrative poem, often of popular origin, intended to be sung, typically with a recurrent refrain.
    • Example: The minstrel performed an old lay about a knight and a dragon.

  3. Verb (transitive):

    • To put or place something down: To put something down gently or carefully, especially in a flat or horizontal position.
    • Example: Please lay the book on the table.
    • To produce and deposit an egg: (Of a bird, insect, or reptile) to produce an egg from the body.
    • Example: The turtle will lay its eggs in the sand.
    • To set or prepare something: To put something in the correct position or state for use.
    • Example: He will lay the foundation for the new building.
    • To impose or assign something: To place a burden, duty, tax, or blame on someone or something.
    • Example: The government decided to lay a new tax on luxury goods.
Usage Examples
  • Adjective:
    • She offered a lay perspective on the complex legal issue.
  • Noun:
    • The poet composed a beautiful lay celebrating the harvest.
  • Verb:
    • He laid the baby in the crib. (Past tense of 'lay')
    • This species of snake lays dozens of eggs at a time.
    • We need to lay the groundwork before starting the project.
    • The judge refused to lay the blame solely on the driver.
Advanced Usage
  • To lay emphasis/stress on something: To give special importance or attention to something.
    • The teacher laid great emphasis on clear communication.
  • To lay something at someone's door: To blame someone for something.
    • The failure of the plan was laid at the manager's door.
  • To lay something bare: To reveal or expose something that was hidden.
    • The investigation laid bare the corruption within the organization.
Variants and Related Words
  • Laid (verb): The simple past tense and past participle of the verb 'lay'.
    • She laid the papers on the desk yesterday.
  • Laying (verb): The present participle of the verb 'lay'.
    • The hen is laying an egg right now.
  • Layer (noun): A sheet, quantity, or thickness of material, typically one of several, covering a surface or body.
    • He wore several layers of clothing.
  • Layout (noun): The way in which the parts of something are arranged or laid out.
    • The magazine has a new layout.
Synonyms
  • Place, put, set, position (for the verb meaning 'to put down').
  • Deposit (for the verb meaning 'to produce an egg').
  • Non-expert, amateur, secular (for the adjective).
Related Phrasal Verbs
  • Lay aside: To save something, especially money, for future use; to stop using or considering something.
    • She lays aside a portion of her salary every month.
  • Lay down: To officially establish a rule, principle, or procedure; to put something down.
    • The company laid down strict safety guidelines.
  • Lay off: To dismiss workers from a job, typically temporarily.
    • The factory had to lay off 50 employees.
  • Lay out: To arrange something according to a plan; to spend a sum of money.
    • He laid out the tools neatly on the bench.
Related Idioms
  • Lay it on thick: To exaggerate praise, blame, or emotion.
    • He was laying it on thick with his compliments.
  • Lay waste to: To completely destroy something.
    • The fire laid waste to the entire forest.
  • Lay (one's) cards on the table: To be honest and reveal one's intentions or resources.
    • In the negotiation, it was time to lay our cards on the table.
lay

A hen lays eggs in the straw of the coop.

Adjective
  1. not of or from a profession
    • a lay opinion as to the cause of the disease
  2. characteristic of those who are not members of the clergy
    • set his collar in laic rather than clerical position
    • the lay ministry
Noun
  1. a narrative poem of popular origin
  2. a narrative song with a recurrent refrain
Verb
  1. impose as a duty, burden, or punishment
    • lay a responsibility on someone
  2. lay eggs
    • This hen doesn't lay
  3. prepare or position for action or operation
    • lay a fire
    • lay the foundation for a new health care plan
  4. put in a horizontal position
    • lay the books on the table
    • lay the patient carefully onto the bed
  5. put into a certain place or abstract location
    • Put your things here
    • Set the tray down
    • Set the dogs on the scent of the missing children
    • Place emphasis on a certain point

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