unlaid

A sailor unlaid the thick rope to repair a frayed section.

Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Not placed or set down: "unlaid" describes something that has not been put into a specified position or location.
   • Not settled or resolved: In a figurative sense, "unlaid" can refer to issues or matters that remain unfinished or unresolved.
   • Not arranged or prepared: Used for things that have not been set out, such as a table not set for a meal or a trap not set.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • The foundation stones remain unlaid, delaying the construction project. (The stones have not been placed in their intended positions.)
  • The ghost is said to be an unlaid spirit, wandering the earth without rest. (The spirit has not been settled or put to rest.)
  • The table was unlaid, with no plates or silverware for dinner. (The table had not been arranged or prepared for a meal.)

Advanced Usage

• "unlaid egg": an egg that has not been laid by a bird or other egg-laying animal.

  • The farmer collected the unlaid eggs from the henhouse before they were fully formed. (Eggs that were not yet deposited.)

• "unlaid ghost": a spirit that has not been exorcised or put to rest, often in folklore.

  • The ancient legend tells of an unlaid ghost haunting the old castle. (A restless spirit.)

Variants and Related Words

• Unlaid (past participle of "unlay"): to untwist or separate the strands of a rope.

  • The sailor unlaid the rope to repair its frayed ends. (He separated the rope into individual strands.)

• Unlay (verb): to untwist or separate the strands of a rope or cable.

  • It took hours to unlay the thick mooring line. (To undo the twisting of the rope.)

Synonyms

• Unplaced: not put in a specific location.
• Unsettled: not resolved or fixed.
• Undisturbed: not moved or interfered with.

Related Idioms

• "Leave no stone unlaid": to make every possible effort; to do everything possible (a variation of "leave no stone unturned").

  • The detective left no stone unlaid in his search for evidence. (He made every effort.)

• "Unlaid plans": plans that have not been set in motion or arranged.

  • Their vacation plans remained unlaid due to the unexpected storm. (The plans were not finalized.)

Phrasal Verbs

• Unlay out: to spread or arrange something that was previously laid out.
  • She had to unlay out the picnic blanket because the wind kept blowing it away. (To undo the arrangement of the blanket.)