lay

Everyday

1. To lay is to put something down carefully, often flat: «lay the baby in the cot». tree →
2. A hen lays an egg when the egg comes out of her body. tree →
3. To lay the table is to put out plates, knives and forks for a meal. tree →
4. To lay bricks or carpet is to put them in place. tree →
5. «Lay» is also the past form of «lie» (to rest flat): «He lay on the grass». tree →
6. Lay can also mean to bet, so "I lay she is loaded" means "I bet she is loaded." tree →

In the lessons

In school maths: hens laying eggs at a rate (eggs per hen per day); laying bricks or tiles at a rate. In science: birds, reptiles, fish and insects lay eggs. In everyday life: lay the table for dinner. Phrases: «lay the table», «lay eggs», «lay down», «lay off» (stop), «lay out» (arrange).

Examples

• Each hen lays 1 egg a day. tree →
• 5 hens lay how many eggs in a week? tree →
• He lays 40 bricks an hour. tree →
• She laid 6 plates on the table. tree →
• Please lay the table for dinner. tree →
• Turtles lay their eggs in the sand. tree →
• He lay on the grass and looked at the clouds. tree →
• Lay your coat on the bed. tree →
• "Well, I lay she's loaded, boss. tree →

Note

Past «laid» (not «layed»). «Lay» needs a thing (lay the book down); «lie» does not (lie down). The past of «lie» is «lay», which causes mix-ups. Maths: usually a rate that adds up over time: hens × eggs each × days. Trap: «lay» is also the past of «lie»; the meaning is in the sentence.

In Jewish tradition

In offerings, laying hands or laying frankincense on a gift were steps in the ritual. In the writings, it also means to put or set something, as in laying a hand on one's mouth in silence, laying snares, or laying up commandments in the heart.

Interpretation. Job's hand on his mouth is read as humble silence before God. Proverbs' "lay up my commandments" is read as telling a person to store the teaching in the heart.

Examples

• And thou shalt put oil upon it, and lay frankincense thereon; it is a meal-offering. (Torah LEV.2.15, JPS 1917) tree →
• And Pharaoh turned and went into his house, neither did he lay even this to heart. (Torah EXO.7.23, JPS 1917) tree →
• He couched, he lay down as a lion, and as a lioness; who shall rouse him up? (Torah NUM.24.9, JPS 1917) tree →
• I lay my hand upon my mouth. (Writings JOB.40.4, JPS 1917) tree →
• How long will ye lay snares for words? (Writings JOB.18.2, JPS 1917) tree →
• My son, keep my words, and lay up my commandments with thee. (Writings PRO.7.1, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Past «laid» (not «layed»). «Lay» needs a thing (lay the book down); «lie» does not (lie down). The past of «lie» is «lay», which causes mix-ups. Maths: usually a rate that adds up over time: hens × eggs each × days. Trap: «lay» is also the past of «lie»; the meaning is in the sentence.