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Added 7 October 2026

lay

/leɪ/ symbol

symbol Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about lay at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

ISO 639-3 language code for Lama Bai.

verb

To place down in a position of rest, or in a horizontal position.
to lay a book on the table; to lay a body in the grave
To place down in a position of rest, or in a horizontal position.
to lay a book on the table; to lay a body in the grave
To cause to subside or abate.

noun

Arrangement or relationship; layout.
the lay of the land
A share of the profits in a business.
While the Pequod lay at Nantucket, Peleg put Ishmael down for the three hundredth lay.
The direction a rope is twisted.
Worm and parcel with the lay; turn and serve the other way.

adjective

Not belonging to the clergy, but associated with them.
They seemed more lay than clerical.
Non-professional; not being a member of an organized institution.
Not trumps.
a lay suit

Origin

Inherited from Middle English leyen, leggen, from Old English leċġan (“to lay”), from Proto-West Germanic *laggjan, from Proto-Germanic *lagjaną (“to lay”), causative form of Proto-Germanic *ligjaną (“to lie, recline”), from Proto-Indo-European *legʰ- (“to lie, recline”).

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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