Definition for: lay

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English

Pronunciation

• AHD: lā , IPA: /leɪ/ , SAMPA: /leI/

Homophones : lei, ley

• Rhymes: -eɪ

Etymology 1

Old English lecġan

Verb

to lay ( third-person singular simple present lays , present participle laying , simple past laid , past participle laid )

1. To place something down in a position of rest
2. To leave something somewhere.
3. To prepare (e.g. the groundwork, the table).
4. To install certain building materials, laying one thing on top of another (e.g. lay brick , lay flooring .)
5. To give birth to (in egg form.)
6. To have sexual intercourse with someone, especially in a casual manner.

Derived terms

• lay down - to specify - ( to lay down the law )
• lay out - to specify - ( lay out the guidelines )
• lay low - hide, avoid being seen
• lay about - assault
• lay to rest - place in a grave or tomb; "the pharaos were entombed in the pyramids" - synonyms : entomb, inhume, inter, bury.

Translations

to place something down in a position of rest

to prepare

to install certain building materials

Etymology 2

From the verb.

Noun

lay ( plural lays )

1. Arrangement or relationship; layout; eg, the lay of the land .
2. A casual sexual partner.
3. A ballad or sung poem.

Synonyms

Translations

arrangement or relationship

• Dutch: ligging f .

Etymology 3

From Old French lai (French laïque ).

Adjective

lay ( not comparable )

1. Non-professional, not being a member of an organized institution (e.g. scientific lay person).
2. Not belonging to the clergy.

Translations

non-professional

non-clergy

• Hungarian : laikus

Etymology 4

See lie

Verb

lay

• Past tense of to lie when meaning "to put oneself horizontally".

Derived terms

• layabout - a lazy person

Malagasy

Etymology

Common Malayo-Polynesian, compare Indonesian layar

Noun

lay

1. sail

Other Translations for "lay"

Braille 6 Dot
Braille 8 Dot
Sign Language Spelling
Morse Code		.-.. .- -.--
Binary		1101100 1100001 1111001
Hex		6C6179
Pig Latin		aylay

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