Lay Word Meaning

Old English lecgan, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch leggen and German legen, also to lie

put (something) down gently or carefully

put down gently or carefully

• she laid the baby in his cot
• he laid a comforting hand over hers

put down and set in position for use

put in position for use

• it is advisable to have your carpet laid by a professional

used with an abstract noun so that the phrase formed has the same meaning as the verb related to the noun used, e.g. ‘lay the blame on’ means ‘to blame’

(in abstract context) put or place

• she laid great stress on little courtesies

(of a female bird, insect, reptile, or amphibian) produce (an egg) from inside the body

(of bird etc.) produce egg from body

• flamingos lay only one egg
• the hens were laying at the same rate as usual

have sex with.

have sex with

follow (a specified course)

follow specified course

• I'm going to lay a course for Ibiza harbour

trim (a hedge) back, cutting the branches half through, bending them down, and interweaving them

trim hedge back

• most hedges are no longer laid

the general appearance of an area of land

general appearance of land

• the lay of the surrounding countryside

an act or instance of having sex.

act of having sex

the laying of eggs or the period during which they are laid

laying of eggs

• the onset of lay may be marked by a dropping of the duck's abdomen