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1. Put into a certain place or abstract location
   - put, set, place, pose, position
    
2. Put in a horizontal position
   "lay the books on the table"; "lay the patient carefully onto the bed"
   - put down, repose
    
3. Prepare or position for action or operation
   "lay a fire"; "lay the foundation for a new health care plan"
    
4. Lay eggs
   "This hen doesn't lay"
    
5. Impose as a duty, burden, or punishment
   "lay a responsibility on someone"

1. Characteristic of those who are not members of the clergy
   "the lay ministry"
   - laic, secular
    
2. Not of or from a profession
   "a lay opinion as to the cause of the disease"

1. A narrative song with a recurrent refrain
   - ballad
    
2. A narrative poem of popular origin
   - ballad

1. Be located or situated somewhere; occupy a certain position
    
2. Be lying, be prostrate; be in a horizontal position
   "The sick man lay in bed all day"; "the books are lying on the shelf"
    
3. Originate (in)
   - dwell, consist, lie in
    
4. Be and remain in a particular state or condition
   "lie dormant"
    
5. Have a place in relation to something else
   "The fate of Bosnia lies in the hands of the West"
   - rest
    
6. Assume a reclining position
   "lie down on the bed until you feel better"
   - lie down

1. Tell an untruth; pretend with intent to deceive
   "She lied when she told me she was only 29"

Sounds like: lei

Derived forms: laying, laid, lays

See also: laity, lay aside, lay away, lay out, lay over, layer, liar, lie, lying, nonprofessional, profane, secular

Type of: be, change posture, devise, disinform, displace, exist, get up, impose, levy, machinate, misinform, mislead, move, organise [Brit], organize, poem, prepare, song, verse form, vocal

Antonym: sit, stand

Encyclopedia: Lay Lay, Kansas Lay, Loire