<p><strong>Verb</strong></p><ul><li>to put or place in a horizontal position or position of rest; set down: to lay a book on a desk.</li><li>to knock or beat down, as from an erect position; strike or throw to the ground: One punch laid him low.</li><li>to put or place in a particular position: The dog laid its ears back.</li><li>to cause to be in a particular state or condition: Their motives were laid bare.</li><li>to set, place, or apply (often followed by to or on): to lay hands on a child.</li><li>to dispose or place in proper position or in an orderly fashion: to lay bricks.</li><li>to place on, along, or under a surface: to lay a pipeline.</li><li>to establish as a basis; set up: to lay the foundations for further negotiations.</li><li>to present or submit for notice or consideration: I laid my case before the commission.</li><li>to present, bring forward, or make, as a claim or charge.</li><li>to impute, attribute, or ascribe: to lay blame on the inspector.</li><li>to bury: They laid him in the old churchyard.</li><li>to bring forth and deposit (an egg or eggs).</li><li>to impose as a burden, duty, penalty, or the like: to lay an embargo on oil shipments.</li><li>to place dinner service on (a table); set.</li><li>to place on or over a surface, as paint; cover or spread with something else.</li><li>to devise or arrange, as a plan.</li><li>to deposit as a wager; bet: He laid $10 on the horse that won the third race.</li><li>to set (a trap).</li><li>to place, set, or locate: The scene is laid in France.</li><li>to smooth down or make even: to lay the nap of cloth.</li><li>to cause to subside: laying the clouds of dust with a spray of water.</li></ul><p><strong>Noun</strong></p><ul><li>the way or position in which a thing is laid or lies: the lay of the land.</li><li>a partner in sexual intercourse.</li><li>an instance of sexual intercourse.</li></ul>