English adjective: lay | |||
1. | lay characteristic of those who are not members of the clergy | ||
Samples | Set his collar in laic rather than clerical position. The lay ministry. | ||
Synonyms | laic, secular | ||
Similar | profane, secular | ||
Antonyms | sacred | ||
2. | lay not of or from a profession | ||
Samples | A lay opinion as to the cause of the disease. | ||
Similar | nonprofessional | ||
Antonyms | professional | ||
English noun: lay | |||
1. | lay (communication) a narrative song with a recurrent refrain | ||
Synonyms | ballad | ||
Broader (hypernym) | song, vocal | ||
Narrower (hyponym) | minstrelsy | ||
2. | lay (communication) a narrative poem of popular origin | ||
Synonyms | ballad | ||
Broader (hypernym) | poem, verse form | ||
Narrower (hyponym) | Edda | ||
English verb: lay | |||
1. | lay (contact) put into a certain place or abstract location | ||
Samples | Put your things here. Set the tray down. Set the dogs on the scent of the missing children. Place emphasis on a certain point. | ||
Examples | They lay the bags on the table | ||
Synonyms | place, pose, position, put, set | ||
Pattern of use | Somebody ----s something PP | ||
Broader (hypernym) | displace, move | ||
Narrower (hyponym) | appose, arrange, barrel, bed, bottle, bucket, butt, clap, cock, coffin, cram, deposit, dispose, docket, emplace, emplace, enclose, ensconce, fix, glycerolise, glycerolize, ground, imbricate, inclose, insert, instal, install, intersperse, introduce, jar, juxtapose, ladle, lay, lay over, lean, load, lose, marshal, middle, mislay, misplace, misplace, nestle, parallelize, park, perch, pigeonhole, pile, pillow, place down, place upright, plant, plant, poise, posit, position, postpose, prepose, put back, put down, put down, put in, put in, rack up, recess, recline, replace, repose, repose, reposition, rest, rest, seat, seat, seat, seed, set, set, set down, set down, set up, set up, settle, settle, settle down, shelve, ship, sign, siphon, sit, sit down, situate, snuggle, sow, space, stand, stand up, step, stick in, stratify, superimpose, superpose, superpose, tee, tee up, throw, throw, thrust, trench, underlay, upend | ||
2. | lay (contact) put in a horizontal position | ||
Samples | Lay the books on the table. Lay the patient carefully onto the bed. | ||
Synonyms | put down, repose | ||
Pattern of use | Somebody ----s somebody PP. Somebody ----s something PP | ||
Broader (hypernym) | lay, place, pose, position, put, set | ||
Narrower (hyponym) | blow, bury, entomb, inhume, inter, lay, lay to rest, rail, rebury | ||
Cause | lie | ||
3. | lay (creation) prepare or position for action or operation | ||
Samples | Lay a fire. Lay the foundation for a new health care plan. | ||
Pattern of use | Somebody ----s something | ||
Broader (hypernym) | devise, get up, machinate, organise, organize, prepare | ||
4. | lay (contact) lay eggs | ||
Samples | This hen doesn't lay. | ||
Pattern of use | Something ----s | ||
Broader (hypernym) | lay, put down, repose | ||
Narrower (hyponym) | spawn | ||
5. | lay (possession) impose as a duty, burden, or punishment | ||
Samples | Lay a responsibility on someone. | ||
Pattern of use | Somebody ----s something. Something ----s something. Somebody ----s something PP | ||
Broader (hypernym) | impose, levy | ||