lay, lie — Lay means to place and is a transitive verb requiring an object. Lie, in the context here, means to recline, is intransitive, and takes no object. I shall lay the rug on the floor. Please lie down here. The principal parts of lay are lay, laid,… … Dictionary of problem words and expressions
Laid — Lay Lay (l[=a]), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Laid} (l[=a]d); p. pr. & vb. n. {Laying}.] [OE. leggen, AS. lecgan, causative, fr. licgan to lie; akin to D. leggen, G. legen, Icel. leggja, Goth. lagjan. See {Lie} to be prostrate.] 1. To cause to lie down,… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Lay — (l[=a]), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Laid} (l[=a]d); p. pr. & vb. n. {Laying}.] [OE. leggen, AS. lecgan, causative, fr. licgan to lie; akin to D. leggen, G. legen, Icel. leggja, Goth. lagjan. See {Lie} to be prostrate.] 1. To cause to lie down, to be… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
lay — lay1 [lā] vt. laid, laying [ME leyen, new formation < 3d pers. sing. of earlier leggen < OE lecgan, lit., to make lie (akin to Goth lagjan, Ger legen) < pt. base of OE licgan, to LIE1] 1. to cause to come down or fall with force; knock… … English World dictionary
lay — lay, lie These two words cause confusion even to native speakers of English because their meanings are related and their forms overlap. Lay is a transitive verb, i.e. it takes an object, and means ‘to place on a surface, to cause to rest on… … Modern English usage
lay — [leɪ] verb laid PTandPP lay somebody → off phrasal verb [transitive] HUMAN RESOURCES to stop employing a worker, usually when there is not enough work for them to do: • The group plans to lay off 10% of its workforce. see also … Financial and business terms
laid, lain — Laid is the past tense and past participle of lay. Lain is the past participle of Choice between laid and lain, therefore, depends upon which verb is involved. The primary meaning of the verb lay is to set down, to put or place in a horizontal… … Dictionary of problem words and expressions
lay — Ⅰ. lay [1] ► VERB (past and past part. laid) 1) put down, especially gently or carefully. 2) put down and set in position for use. 3) assign or place: lay the blame. 4) (lay before) present (material) for consideration and action to … English terms dictionary
Lay — Lay, n. 1. That which lies or is laid or is conceived of as having been laid or placed in its position; a row; a stratum; a layer; as, a lay of stone or wood. Addison. [1913 Webster] A viol should have a lay of wire strings below. Bacon. [1913… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Lay figure — Lay Lay, n. 1. That which lies or is laid or is conceived of as having been laid or placed in its position; a row; a stratum; a layer; as, a lay of stone or wood. Addison. [1913 Webster] A viol should have a lay of wire strings below. Bacon.… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Lay race — Lay Lay, n. 1. That which lies or is laid or is conceived of as having been laid or placed in its position; a row; a stratum; a layer; as, a lay of stone or wood. Addison. [1913 Webster] A viol should have a lay of wire strings below. Bacon.… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
