lays

lays · verb

imported

Definitions

verb

  1. 1.

    Third person singular present tense of "lay": to put something down gently or carefully in a flat position.

  2. 2.

    To prepare or set in place for a particular purpose.

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    lays down the law — to give orders in an authoritative way
  • •
    lays eyes on — to see for the first time
  • •
    lays bare — to reveal or expose

Related words

Antonyms: lifts, picks up
See also: laid, lay, laying
Synonyms: places, puts, sets

Etymology

From Old English lecgan ("to put, place"), from Proto-Germanic lagjaną. Related to "lie" but with transitive meaning.