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- Dictionarylay/lā/
verb
- 1. put down, especially gently or carefully: "she laid the baby in his crib" Similar Opposite
- 2. put down and set in position for use: "it is advisable to have your carpet laid by a professional"
noun
- 1. the general appearance of an area, including the direction of streams, hills, and similar features: "the lay of the surrounding countryside"
- 2. an act or instance of having sex. vulgar slang
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The meaning of LAY is to beat or strike down with force. How to use lay in a sentence. Lay vs. Lie: Usage Guide
to put something in especially a flat or horizontal position, usually carefully or for a particular purpose: She laid the baby on the bed. He laid the tray down on the table. lay aside She laid aside her book and went to answer the phone. We're having a new carpet laid in the hall next week.
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.
to place on or over a surface, as paint; cover or spread with something else. to devise or arrange, as a plan. to deposit as a wager; bet: He laid $10 on the horse that won the third race.
[transitive] to put somebody/something in a particular position, especially when it is done gently or carefully. lay somebody/something + adv./prep. He laid a hand on my arm. Relatives laid wreaths on the grave. She laid the baby down gently on the bed. Red roses were laid at the memorial. She noticed some paintings laid against the far wall.
To lay is to set something down or put it in a horizontal position. It can also mean to position or prepare something for action — or simply to lay eggs.
1. To cause to lie down: lay a child in its crib. 2. a. To place in or bring to a particular position: lay the cloth over the painting. b. To bury. 3. To cause to be in a particular condition: The remark laid him open to criticism. 4. To put or set down: lay new railroad track. 5. To produce and deposit: lay eggs. 6.
to put something into its correct position: to lay a carpet. to lay bricks. lay eggs. B2. If an animal lays eggs, it produces them out of its body. lay the blame on sb. to blame someone, usually when this is not fair: You always lay the blame on me! lay the table UK. B1. to put plates, knives, forks, etc on the table to prepare for a meal.
Definition of lay verb in Oxford Advanced American Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.
Lay the material flat on the table. see thesaurus at put 2 → lay bricks/carpet/concrete/cables etc 3 bird/insect etc [ intransitive, transitive] if a bird, insect etc lays eggs, it produces them from its body The flies lay their eggs on decaying meat.
