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- DictionaryLay/lā/
verb
- 1. put down, especially gently or carefully: "she laid the baby in his crib"
- 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
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.
to cause to be in a particular state or condition: Their motives were laid bare. to set, place, or apply (often followed by to or on ): to lay hands on a child. to dispose or place in proper position or in an orderly fashion: to lay bricks. to place on, along, or under a surface: to lay a pipeline.
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.
Lay is used with some nouns in expressions about accusing or blaming someone. For example, if you lay the blame for a mistake on someone, you say it is their fault, or if the police lay charges against someone, they officially accuse that person of a crime.
Definition of lay verb in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.
Lay Definition. To lay an egg or eggs. To cause to come down or fall with force; knock down, as from an erect position. A blow laid him low. To put down or place (bricks, carpeting, etc.) in the correct position or way for a specific purpose. To bury. To cause to be situated in a particular place or condition.
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.
LAY meaning: 1. to put something down somewhere carefully: 2. to put something into its correct position: 3…. Learn more.
Lay means 'to place something down flat,' while lie means 'to be in a flat position on a surface.' The key difference is that lay is transitive and requires an object to act upon, and lie is intransitive, describing something moving on its own or already in position.