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lay1
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- pronunciation:
- leI
- parts of speech:
- transitive verb, intransitive verb, noun
- phrases:
- lay down, lay off, lay out
- features:
- Word Combinations (verb), Note, Grammatical Patterns
part of speech: |
transitive verb |
inflections: |
lays, laying, laid |
definition 1: |
to place, put, or spread (something long or flat) over a surface.
We were laying the tablecloth on the dining table when the guests arrived.They laid the injured child gently on the stretcher.
- synonyms:
- place, put, rest, set
- similar words:
- assign, deposit, posit, position, seat, situate, stick
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definition 2: |
to cause (something) to be a certain way when placing it on a surface.
She tried to lay the wallpaper flat, but it wasn't an easy task.[verb + smby/smth + noun/adj
]
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definition 3: |
to install or arrange so as to be flat.
He will lay the carpet himself.- synonyms:
- even, flatten, level
- antonyms:
- raise
- similar words:
- dispose, install, plane, smooth
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definition 4: |
to assign or bestow.
She lays the blame on me.- synonyms:
- accredit, apportion, ascribe, attribute, impute
- similar words:
- allocate, allot, assign, consign, dispense, inflict, put
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definition 5: |
to establish; formulate.
They laid their plans for the next attack.- synonyms:
- conceive, devise, formulate, frame, plan
- similar words:
- articulate, contrive, define, invent, prepare, specify
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definition 6: |
to cause to be or become in a specified condition.
She laid herself open to opposition.[verb + smby/smth + noun/adj
]
- synonyms:
- place, put
- similar words:
- make, set
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definition 7: |
to put forward for consideration.
He laid the issues out in the memorandum.- synonyms:
- exhibit, offer, present, proffer
- similar words:
- disclose, display, introduce, reveal, set, show, uncover
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definition 8: |
of a female bird or certain other female animals, to produce (an egg or eggs).
The sea turtles come to lay their eggs in the sand.- synonyms:
- bear, deposit, produce
- similar words:
- afford, beget, create, make, spawn, yield
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definition 9: |
to place as a wager; bet.
I'll lay ten dollars on the home team.- synonyms:
- bet, gamble, place, stake, wager
- similar words:
- pledge, risk, venture
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definition 10: |
to prepare for use.
Please lay the table for dinner.He laid a trap for the rabbits.- synonyms:
- arrange, prepare, ready, set
- similar words:
- equip, gird, outfit, rig, spread
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definition 11: |
(vulgar slang) to have sexual intercourse with.
- synonyms:
- bang, bed, fuck, screw
- similar words:
- ball
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related words: |
ante, bed, love, map, produce, put, repose |
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part of speech: |
intransitive verb |
definition 1: |
of a hen or other female bird, to produce eggs.
- synonyms:
- bear, produce
- similar words:
- yield
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definition 2: |
to make a wager, bet, or proposition.
- synonyms:
- bet, gamble, wager
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related words: |
ante |
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phrase: |
lay down, lay off, lay out |
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part of speech: |
noun |
definition 1: |
the manner in which something, esp. land, is arranged or positioned.
the lay of the plantation- synonyms:
- composition, configuration, conformation, contour, design, form, frame, scheme, structure
- similar words:
- figure, formation, order, outline, shape, topography
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definition 2: |
(vulgar slang) sexual intercourse.
- synonyms:
- fuck, screw
- similar words:
- intercourse, sex, sexual intercourse
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definition 3: |
(vulgar slang) a sexual partner.
- synonyms:
- fuck, screw
- similar words:
- conquest, lover, partner, piece
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related words: |
lie |
lay or lie?
Lay means to put or place something on a flat surface. Lie means to be or stay in a flat position. These words are easy to confuse because their meanings are similar and the past tense of lie is lay.Compare: - Lay the mail on the table.
- He laid the mail on the table.
- Lie down if you are tired.
- Yesterday, I lay down for a short rest.
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