Collins English-English Dictionary

lay [leɪ]

1. 1. vb [mainly tr] to put in a low or horizontal position; cause to lie

   to lay a cover on a bed

2. 2. vb to place, put, or be in a particular state or position

   he laid his finger on his lips

3. 3. vi. [intr] [dialect or not standard] to be in a horizontal position; lie

   he often lays in bed all the morning

4. 4. vi. [sometimes foll by down] to establish as a basis

   to lay a foundation for discussion

5. 5. vi. to place or dispose in the proper position

   to lay a carpet

6. 6. vi. to arrange (a table) for eating a meal

7. 7. vi. to prepare (a fire) for lighting by arranging fuel in the grate

8. 8. vi. [also intr] (of birds, esp the domestic hen) to produce (eggs)

9. 9. vi. to present or put forward

   he laid his case before the magistrate

10. 10. vi. to impute or attribute

    all the blame was laid on him

11. 11. vi. to arrange, devise, or prepare

    to lay a trap

12. 12. vi. to place, set, or locate

    the scene is laid in London

13. 13. vi. to apply on or as if on a surface

    to lay a coat of paint

14. 14. vi. to impose as a penalty or burden

    to lay a fine

15. 15. vi. to make (a bet) with (someone)

    I lay you five to one on Prince

16. 16. vi. to cause to settle

    to lay the dust

17. 17. vi. to allay; suppress

    to lay a rumour

18. 18. vi. to bring down forcefully

    to lay a whip on someone's back

19. 19. vi. [slang] to have sexual intercourse with

20. 20. vi. [slang] to bet on (a horse) to lose a race

21. 21. vi. to press down or make smooth

    to lay the nap of cloth

22. 22. vi. to cut (small trunks or branches of shrubs or trees) halfway through and bend them diagonally to form a hedge

    to lay a hedge

23. 23. vi. to arrange and twist together (strands) in order to form (a rope, cable, etc)

24. 24. vi. [military] to apply settings of elevation and training to (a weapon) prior to firing

25. 25. vi. [foll by on] [hunting] to put (hounds or other dogs) onto a scent

26. 26. vi. another word for inlay

27. 27. vi. [intr; often foll by to or out] [dialect or informal] to plan, scheme, or devise

28. 28. vi. [intr] [nautical] to move or go, esp into a specified position or direction

    to lay close to the wind

29. 29. vi. See hands

30. 30. n the manner or position in which something lies or is placed

31. 31. n [taboo slang] an act of sexual intercourse

32. 32. n a sexual partner

33. 33. n a portion of the catch or the profits from a whaling or fishing expedition

34. 34. n the amount or direction of hoist in the strands of a rope

35. 35. n See also layabout lay aside lay away lay-by lay down lay in lay into lay off lay on lay out lay over lay to lay up

36. 36. n [Etymology] Old English lecgan; related to Gothic lagjan, Old Norse leggja

37. 37. n [Usage] In careful English, the verb lay is used with an object and lie without one: the soldier laid down his arms; the Queen laid a wreath; the book was lying on the table; he was lying on the floor. In informal English, lay is frequently used for lie: the book was laying on the table. All careful writers and speakers observe the distinction even in informal contexts

lay [leɪ]

1. 1. vb the past tense of lie

lay [leɪ]

1. 1. adj of, involving, or belonging to people who are not clergy

2. 2. adj nonprofessional or nonspecialist; amateur

3. 3. adj [Etymology] C14: from Old French lai, from Late Latin laicus, ultimately from Greek laos people

lay [leɪ]

1. 1. n a ballad or short narrative poem, esp one intended to be sung

2. 2. n a song or melody

3. 3. n [Etymology] C13: from Old French lai, perhaps of Germanic origin