lay

verb

\ ˈlā

laid\ ˈlād

\; laying

Definition of lay

(Entry 1 of 5)

1 : to beat or strike down with force

2a : to put or set down lay your books on the table

b : to place for rest or sleep She laid the baby in his crib for a nap. especially : bury

3 : to bring forth and deposit (an egg)

4 : calm, allay lay the dust

5 : bet, wager

6 : to press down giving a smooth and even surface brushing to lay the nap

7a : to dispose or spread over or on a surface lay track lay plaster

b : to set in order or position lay a table for dinner lay brick

c : to put (strands) in place and twist to form a rope, hawser, or cable also : to make by putting strands in place and twisting lay up rope

8a : to impose as a duty, burden, or punishment lay a tax

b : to put as a burden of reproach laid the blame on her

c : to advance as an accusation : impute the disaster was laid to faulty inspection

9 : to place (something immaterial) on something lay stress on grammar

10 : prepare, contrive a well-laid plan

11a : to bring against or into contact with something : apply laid the watch to his ear

b : to prepare or position for action or operation lay a fire in the fireplace also : to adjust (a gun) to the proper direction and elevation

12 : to bring to a specified condition lay waste the land

13a : assert, allege lay claim to an estate

b : to submit for examination and judgment laid her case before the commission

14 often vulgar : to copulate with

1 : to produce and deposit eggs

2 nonstandard : lie entry 1

3 : wager, bet

4 dialect : plan, prepare

5a : to apply oneself vigorously laid to his oars

b : to proceed to a specified place or position on a ship lay aloft

lay an egg

: to fail or blunder especially embarrassingly The professor tried to be funny, but he laid an egg.

lay eyes on

: see, behold I never laid eyes on her before today.

lay into

: to attack especially verbally laid into the referee

lay on the table

1 : to remove (a parliamentary motion) from consideration indefinitely

2 British : to put (something, such as legislation) on the agenda