What is the meaning of lay?

noun

• A narrative song with a recurrent refrain.
  • synonyms: ballad
• A narrative poem of popular origin.
  • synonyms: ballad

verb

• Put into a certain place or abstract location.
  • usage: "Put your things here"; "Set the tray down"; "Set the dogs on the scent of the missing children"; "Place emphasis on a certain point"
  • synonyms: put, set, place, pose, position
• Put in a horizontal position.
  • usage: "lay the books on the table"; "lay the patient carefully onto the bed"
  • synonyms: put down, repose
• Prepare or position for action or operation.
  • usage: "lay a fire"; "lay the foundation for a new health care plan"
• Lay eggs.
  • usage: "This hen doesn't lay"
• Impose as a duty, burden, or punishment.
  • usage: "lay a responsibility on someone"
• Be located or situated somewhere; occupy a certain position.
  • synonyms: lie
• Be lying, be prostrate; be in a horizontal position.
  • usage: "The sick man lay in bed all day"; "the books are lying on the shelf"
  • synonyms: lie
• Originate (in. )
  • usage: "The problems dwell in the social injustices in this country"
  • synonyms: dwell, consist, lie, lie in
• Be and remain in a particular state or condition.
  • usage: "lie dormant"
  • synonyms: lie
• Tell an untruth; pretend with intent to deceive.
  • usage: "Don't lie to your parents"; "She lied when she told me she was only 29"
  • synonyms: lie
• Have a place in relation to something else.
  • usage: "The fate of Bosnia lies in the hands of the West"; "The responsibility rests with the Allies"
  • synonyms: lie, rest
• Assume a reclining position.
  • usage: "lie down on the bed until you feel better"
  • synonyms: lie down, lie

adjective

• Characteristic of those who are not members of the clergy.
  • usage: "set his collar in laic rather than clerical position"; "the lay ministry"
  • synonyms: laic, secular
• Not of or from a profession.
  • usage: "a lay opinion as to the cause of the disease"