layv.¹

Brit.

/leɪ/, U.S.

/leɪ/

Forms: Past tense and participle laid /leɪd/. infinitive Old English lecgan, lecgean, Middle English legge(n, 1500s–1600s (sense 1c) ledge, Middle English leyn, Middle English lein, lain, leye, lai, Middle English leyne, leie, Middle English–1500s laye, ley, Middle English leyen, 1500s Scottish la, 1500s–1600s laie, Middle English– lay. indicative present: singular and 1st person Old English lecge, Middle English legge, leye (etc.), Middle English– lay. 2nd person Old English legest, Middle English leist, 1500s– layest, 1600s, 1800s lay'st. 3rd person Old English leg(e)ð, Middle English leigð, Middle English leggeð, leiȝeð, Middle English leið, Middle English layþ, leyþ, leggiþ, Middle English leieþ, Middle English–1500s layth, 1500s laieth, Middle English– (now archaic) layeth. β. Middle English–1600s layes, lais, Middle English legges, 1600s laies, Middle English– lays. plural Old English lecgaþ, lecgeaþ, Middle English leggeoð, leggeð, leið. β. Middle English–1500s laye, Middle English leyn, lein, leye, leie, Middle English leyhe, 1500s laie, Middle English– lay. γ. Scottish and northernMiddle English layez, 1500s layis. indicative past: singular and 1st and 3rd person Old English legde, lægde, léde, Middle English leigde, Middle English læide, Middle English leide, Middle English leaide, Orm. leȝȝde, Middle English–1500s leyde, Middle English leid, legged, lait, Scottish lad, Middle English lade, Middle English–1600s laide, Middle English–1700s layd(e, Middle English leyd, leged, leghed, layid, Middle English–1600s layed, laied, 1600s–1700s lay'd, Middle English– laid. plural Old English legdon, lægdon, leidon, Middle English læiden, Middle English leiden, Middle English ledden, Middle English laiden, Middle English leyden, Middle English laidon; also (in Middle English and subsequently) as 1st and 3rd person singular and imperative: singular Old English lege, Middle English Orm. leȝȝ, Middle English ley, leie, Middle English leye, Middle English le, 1500s laye, Middle English– lay. plural Old English lecgaþ, Middle English leggeþ, Middle English leiþ, Middle English– lay. β. northern and ScottishMiddle English laes, lays, lais. gerund Middle English–1500s layeng, Middle English legginge, legynge, 1500s (sense 1c) ledging, Middle English leying, leiyng, leyng, Middle English–1500s layng(e, 1500s laieng, laiyng, 1500s–1600s layeing, Middle English– laying. present participle Old English lecgende, Middle English northern and Scottish leyond, layand. β. (as in the Gerund). past participle Old English geléd, geleigd, Middle English ileid, yleid, ilæid, Orm. leȝȝd, Middle English leid(e, leyd, Middle English ylaid(e, ylayde, leyde, Middle English yleyd, Middle English–1500s layde, Middle English–1600s laide, layed, Middle English–1700s layd, Middle English ilaid, leied, leyed, led, 1500s layede, (sense 1c) ledgde, 1500s–1600s laied, 1600s lai'd, 1600s–1700s lay'd, Middle English– laid.

Etymology: Old English lęcgan = Old Frisian ledsa , lega , leia , Old Saxon leggian (Dutch leggen ), Old High German lecken , legen (Middle High German, modern German legen ), Old Norse legja (Swedish lägga , Danish lægge ), Gothic (= Germanic) lagjan , < *lag- ablaut-variant of Germanic *leg- : see lie v.¹The normal representative of the Old English infinitive and of the 1st person singular and the plural present tense, would be *ledge; the existing form of the present-stem is evolved from the 2nd and 3rd person singular present tense, in which the g of the Germanic verb was followed not by j but by i, and therefore escaped the West Germanic gemination, so that Old English in these instances has g instead of cg.

General sense: To cause to lie.

I. To prostrate.

a. transitive. To bring or cast down from an erect position (in Old English often, to strike down, slay); †figurative to cast down, abase, humble. Now only with complement denoting prostration or extension upon a surface. Cf. to lay low at low adj. and n.² Phrases 2.

ΘΚΠ

the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > downward motion > causing to come or go down > cause to come or go down [verb (transitive)] > bring to the ground/lay low

layc888

afelleOE

to throw downa1250

groundc1275

to lay to ground, to earth (Sc. at eird)c1275

stoopc1275

evena1382

abatec1390

to bring downa1400

falla1400

welt?a1400

throwa1450

tumble1487

succumb1490

strewa1500

vaila1592

flat1607

level1614

floor1642

to fetch down1705

drop1726

supplant1751

c888 Ælfred tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. (Sedgefield) xli. §3 He..hæt fealdan þæt segl & eac hwilum lecgan þone mæst.

a1000 Laws of Athelstan (Schmid) ii. c. 2 Hine lecge for þeof se ðe him tocume.

c1200 Trin. Coll. Hom. 165 Al riht is leid and wogh arered.

1377 W. Langland Piers Plowman B. v. 359 [He] cauȝte hym bi the myddel, For to lifte hym alofte and leyde him on his knowes.

c1400 (?c1380) Cleanness l. 1650 Who-so hym lyked to lyfte, on lofte watz he sone, & quo-so hym lyked to lay, watz loȝed bylyue.

c1440 Partonope 7007 I leyd hym flatt than in the med.

a1616 W. Shakespeare King John (1623) ii. i. 399 Shall we..lay this Angiers euen with the ground?

1660 F. Brooke tr. V. Le Blanc World Surveyed 6 With a mortall wound on the forehead [he] laid him dead at his feete.

1671 J. Milton Paradise Regain'd iii. 331 A multitude with Spades and Axes arm'd To lay hills plain, fell woods, or valleys fill.

1785 W. Cowper Poplar Field 7 And now in the grass behold they are laid, And the tree is my seat that once lent me a shade!

1850 Tait's Edinb. Mag. Dec. 754/1 The abbey was laid in ruins by the explosion.

1879 R. Browning Ivan Ivanovitch in Idyls I. 95 We check the fire by laying flat Each building in its path.

1890 Guardian 24 Sept. 1486/1 One third of the town was laid in ashes.

†b. to lay to ground, to earth (Sc. at eird): to stretch upon or bring to the ground; to bring low, throw down, overthrow, destroy. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > life > death > killing > kill [verb (transitive)]

swevec725

quelmeOE

slayc893

quelleOE

of-falleOE

ofslayeOE

aquellc950

ayeteeOE

spillc950

beliveOE

to bring (also do) of (one's) life-dayOE

fordoa1000

forfarea1000

asweveOE

drepeOE

forleseOE

martyrOE

to do (also i-do, draw) of lifeOE

bringc1175

off-quellc1175

quenchc1175

forswelta1225

adeadc1225

to bring of daysc1225

to do to deathc1225

to draw (a person) to deathc1225

murder?c1225

aslayc1275

forferec1275

to lay to ground, to earth (Sc. at eird)c1275

martyrc1300

strangle1303

destroya1325

misdoa1325

killc1330

tailc1330

to take the life of (also fro)c1330

enda1340

to kill to (into, unto) death1362

brittena1375

deadc1374

to ding to deathc1380

mortifya1382

perisha1387

to dight to death1393

colea1400

fella1400

kill out (away, down, up)a1400

to slay up or downa1400

swelta1400

voida1400

deliverc1400

starvec1425

jugylc1440

morta1450

to bring to, on, or upon (one's) bierc1480

to put offc1485

to-slaya1500

to make away with1502

to put (a person or thing) to silencec1503

rida1513

to put downa1525

to hang out of the way1528

dispatch?1529

strikea1535

occidea1538

to firk to death, (out) of lifec1540

to fling to deathc1540

extinct1548

to make out of the way1551

to fet offa1556

to cut offc1565

to make away?1566

occise1575

spoil1578

senda1586

to put away1588

exanimate1593

unmortalize1593

speed1594

unlive1594

execute1597

dislive1598

extinguish1598

to lay along1599

to make hence1605

conclude1606

kill off1607

disanimate1609

feeze1609

to smite, stab in, under the fifth rib1611

to kill dead1615

transporta1616

spatch1616

to take off1619

mactate1623

to make meat of1632

to turn up1642

inanimate1647

pop1649

enecate1657

cadaverate1658

expedite1678

to make dog's meat of1679

to make mincemeat of1709

sluice1749

finisha1753

royna1770

still1778

do1780

deaden1807

deathifyc1810

to lay out1829

cool1833

to use up1833

puckeroo1840

to rub out1840

cadaverize1841

to put under the sod1847

suicide1852

outkill1860

to fix1875

to put under1879

corpse1884

stiffen1888

tip1891

to do away with1899

to take out1900

stretch1902

red-light1906

huff1919

to knock rotten1919

skittle1919

liquidate1924

clip1927

to set over1931

creasea1935

ice1941

lose1942

to put to sleep1942

zap1942

to take down1967

wax1968

trash1973

ace1975

the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > downward motion > causing to come or go down > cause to come or go down [verb (transitive)] > bring to the ground/lay low

layc888

afelleOE

to throw downa1250

groundc1275

to lay to ground, to earth (Sc. at eird)c1275

stoopc1275

evena1382

abatec1390

to bring downa1400

falla1400

welt?a1400

throwa1450

tumble1487

succumb1490

strewa1500

vaila1592

flat1607

level1614

floor1642

to fetch down1705

drop1726

supplant1751

c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1978) l. 13640 We heom scullen awelden. leggen [c1300 Otho legge] heom to grunde.

c1330 Arth. & Merl. 5086 (Kölbing) Hou Wawain & his feren..Hadden..þre þousand leyd to grounde.

1470–85 T. Malory Morte d'Arthur i. x At the fourth passage there mette two for two, and bothe were leid vnto the erthe.

1489 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (Adv.) iii. 16 And weill ost..War layd at erd but recoveryng.

1513 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid xi. xiii. 62 Mony Troianis ded to ground scho laid.

c. Of wind or rain: To beat down (crops). Chiefly in passive. (In 16–17th centuries spelt ledge.)

ΘΚΠ

the world > food and drink > farming > cultivation or tillage > cultivation of plants or crops > crop or crops > [verb (transitive)] > damaged crop

lay1590

lodge1597

reta1642

shackle1670

sloom1762

1590 R. Harvey Plaine Percevall 21 Send not a whirlwinde amongst them, least..they..be ledgde on the ground.

1609 R. Cawdrey Table Alphabet. (ed. 2) at Cadence,.. Properly the ledging of corne by a tempest.

1626 F. Bacon Sylua Syluarum §669 Another ill Accident is Laying of Corne with great Raines in Haruest.

1699 A. Boyer Royal Dict. (at cited word) The Rain has laid the Corn, La Pluye a couché les Bleds.

1787 G. Winter New Syst. Husbandry 63 The straw grows so luxuriant, as to be beaten down and laid by high winds and heavy rains.

1799 A. Young Gen. View Agric. County Lincoln 162 If laid, it [sc. flax] will not do for seed.

1846 Jrnl. Royal Agric. Soc. 7 ii. 288 It bore wheat again,..but the weather of July laid it.

1859 Ld. Tennyson Enid in Idylls of King 41 Yniol with that hard message went; it fell, Like flaws in summer laying lusty corn.

1870 E. B. Ramsay Reminisc. Sc. Life (ed. 18) ii. 26 The crops being much laid.

a. To ‘bring to bed’ of a child; to deliver (a mother). Obsolete exc. dialect †Also reflexive said of the mother. (Cf. to lay in 3 at Phrasal verbs.)

ΘΚΠ

the world > life > source or principle of life > birth > confinement > confine or deliver [verb (transitive)]

bestowc1320

light?a1425

laya1500

to lay downa1500

to bring abed1523

to bring to bed, abeda1533

a1500 (a1460) Towneley Plays (1994) I. xiii. 148 And Gyll, my wyfe, rose nott Here syn she lade hir.

1605 in J. Barmby Churchwardens' Accts. Pittington (1888) 56 Item given to the hird of Pittington for layinge a hogge, ijd.

1669 in Plymouth Col. Rec. (1856) V. 14 I went to her father Winters house..as I was informed of her being laid; and shee haueing a young child in her lapp, I asked her whoe was the father of it.

1682 J. Bunyan Holy War 195 The midwife that laid my mother of me.

1684 Lady Russell Lett. i. xvii. 50 I hear my Lady Digby is safely laid of a girl.

1716 Lady Cowper Diary (1864) 126 The English Ladies all pressed to have the Princess laid by Sir David Hamilton.

1724 J. Maubray (title) Female Physician Comprehending..particular directions for laying women, in all cases of difficult and preternatural births.

1828 W. Carr Dial. Craven (ed. 2) Lay, Lig, to perform the office of an accoucheur. ‘He com to lay my daam’.

1876 F. K. Robinson Gloss. Words Whitby

b. To have sexual intercourse with (a woman). Occasionally intransitive, const. for: (of a woman) to have sexual intercourse with (a man). Also intransitive: (of a woman) to be willing to have (extramarital) sexual intercourse. slang (originally U.S.). Cf. lay n.⁷ 7d.

ΘΚΠ

the world > physical sensation > sexual relations > sexual activity > engage in sexual activity with [verb (transitive)] > have sexual intercourse with > specifically of a man

jape1382

overliec1400

swivec1405

foilc1440

overlay?a1475

bed1548

possess1592

knock1598

to get one's leg over1599

enjoy1602

poke1602

thrum1611

topa1616

riga1625

swingea1640

jerk1650

night-work1654

wimble1656

roger1699

ruta1706

tail1778

to touch up1785

to get into ——c1890

root1922

to knock up1934

lay1934

pump1937

prong1942

nail1948

to slip (someone) a length1949

to knock off1953

thread1958

stuff1960

tup1970

nut1971

pussy1973

service1973

society > morality > moral evil > licentiousness > unchastity > [verb (intransitive)] > of woman: make herself available

to turn up?1616

to put out1928

slut1946

tart1949

lay1955

the world > physical sensation > sexual relations > sexual activity > engage in sexual activity with [verb (transitive)] > have sexual intercourse with > specifically of a woman

takea1400

give1860

lay1956

1934 J. O'Hara Appointment in Samarra ii. 38 I'm going to take Teddy out and get him laid tonight.

1934 J. O'Hara Appointment in Samarra vii. 212 ‘You're wrong about one thing,’ said Julian... ‘I didn't lay that girl.’

1936 J. Dos Passos Big Money 305 ‘Gosh,’ he was saying at the back of his head, ‘maybe I could lay Elsie Finnegan.’

1938 G. Greene Brighton Rock v. v. 214 I'm marrying her for your sake, but I'm laying her for my own.

1950 A. Wilson Such Darling Dodos 123 As soon as he laid a new wench..there was always a shift round of staff.

1955 ‘H. Robbins’ Stone for Danny Fisher i. vii. 55 ‘Does she lay, Danny?’.. His face was flushed as his eyes followed the girl on to the porch.

1956 H. Gold Man who was not with It (1965) xviii. 164 Whore! Baby~whore! She been laying for you.

1960 J. Updike Rabbit, Run 184 You've laid for Harrison, haven't you?

1965 W. H. Auden About House (1966) 15 A great-great-grandmother who got laid By a sacred beast.

1969 P. Roth Portnoy's Complaint 182 All I know is I got laid, twice.

1973 B. Broadfoot Ten Lost Years viii. 83 The guy who knew her was one of our gang and he was laying her.

a. To cause to subside (the sea, a tempest, a cloud of dust, etc.); †to put a stop to (an annoyance) (obsolete); to allay (anxiety), appease (anger, appetite, etc.). Now archaic or dialect except in to lay the dust.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > manner of action > lack of violence, severity, or intensity > make less violent or severe [verb (transitive)] > assuage or calm

laya1300

disarm?c1400

lithec1430

mitigatea1513

charmc1540

hush1632

assopiatea1649

the world > action or operation > manner of action > lack of violence, severity, or intensity > make less violent or severe [verb (transitive)] > assuage or calm > specific natural elements

laya1300

mesec1480

allay1493

the mind > emotion > pleasure > state of being consoled or relieved > be relieved of [verb (transitive)] > console or relieve > relieve (suffering)

lissea1000

alightOE

allayc1225

softc1225

comfort1297

laya1300

eathea1325

allegea1375

appeasec1374

laska1375

slakea1387

releasea1393

balma1400

to bete one of one's balea1400

to cool a person's caresc1400

delivera1413

leggea1425

mitigate?a1425

repress?a1425

alleviate?a1475

allevya1500

alleve1544

leviate1545

lenify1567

allevate1570

ungrieve1589

straight1604

mulcify1653

balsama1666

solace1667

meliorate1796

a1300 E.E. Psalter lxxxiv. 4 Þou leyed alle þi wreth þat þou was inne.

1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomew de Glanville De Proprietatibus Rerum (1495) v. vi. 112 Yf the eye lyddes..ben full of flesshe wythin..thenne he layeth the syghte [L. visum impediunt].

a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Trin. Cambr.) l. 5990 To morwe shul þo fliȝes be leide.

c1430 Syr Gener. (Roxb.) 1782 If ye me doo as ye me seid, A grete part of my care is leid.

a1513 W. Dunbar Flyting in Poems (1998) I. 203 Ȝit come I hame, fals baird, to lay thy boist.

1539 R. Taverner tr. Erasmus Prouerbes sig. A.iij^v Moue not an euyll that is well laied.

1579 S. Gosson Schoole of Abuse f. 8 Terpandrus with his notes, laieth the tempest.

a1616 W. Shakespeare Two Gentlemen of Verona (1623) ii. iii. 31 See how I lay the dust with my teares.

a1645 W. Laud Serm. (1847) 127 To show His disciples that His command could lay the sea.

1650 R. Stapleton tr. F. Strada De Bello Belgico iv. 77 This report he was so farre from sleighting..that he laid it, before it could passe out of Spain.

1671 J. Milton Paradise Regain'd iv. 426 Who..still'd the roar Of thunder, chas'd the clouds, and laid the winds.

1695 R. Blackmore Prince Arthur i. 10 Th' enchanted Winds straightway their Fury laid.

1699 A. Boyer Royal Dict. (at cited word) To lay the Stomach for a while, Etourdir la grosse faim.

1712 J. Addison Spectator No. 465. ¶1 The doubt that was laid revives again.

a1715 Bp. G. Burnet Hist. Own Time (1724) I. 60 He upon his coming over did for some time lay the heats that were among the Highlanders.

1872 W. Black Strange Adventures Phaeton xxii. 308 ‘It was merely to lay the dust’, said Bell, as though she had ordered the shower.

1879 F. W. Farrar Life & Work St. Paul I. iii. x. 181 To lay the secret misgivings, which had begun to rise in his mind.

1891 S. O. Addy Suppl. Gloss. Words Sheffield (at cited word) ‘The bit of fish as you sent me laid my appetite’.

1900 Q. Rev. Apr. 459 These fears ought now to be laid.

b. To prevent (a spirit) from ‘walking’. Often in figurative context.

ΘΚΠ

the world > the supernatural > supernatural being > evil spirit or demon > [verb (transitive)] > exorcize

halsec825

exorcize1546

lay1597

dispossess1618

society > faith > worship > exorcism > perform exorcism [verb (transitive)] > exorcize an evil spirit

exorcize1546

lay1597

dispossess1618

1597 W. Shakespeare Romeo & Juliet ii. i. 26 If one shuld raise a spirit in his Mistris circle..making it..stand till she had laid it, and coniurde it downe.

1678 S. Butler Hudibras: Third Pt. iii. ii. 120 For nothing but his Interest, Could lay his Devil of Contest.

1706 R. Estcourt Fair Example iii. i When the Devil is up in a Woman, the wisest way is to lay it.

1716 J. Addison Drummer ii. 20 He knows the Secret of laying Ghosts, or of quieting Houses that are haunted.

1850 Ld. Tennyson In Memoriam xciv. 142 He faced the spectres of the mind And laid them.

1851 D. Jerrold St. Giles & St. James (new ed.) xvi, in Writings I. 162 With a strong will, he laid the rising ghosts of his boyish days.

1883 J. A. Froude Short Stud. IV. ii. i. 170 I remember his being called upon to lay a troublesome ghost.

4. †To bring down, reduce (a swelling) (obsolete); to smooth down, make to lie evenly.

ΘΚΠ

the world > health and disease > healing > medical treatment > treatment of specific diseases or conditions > treat specific diseases or conditions [verb (transitive)] > bring down swelling

lay1579

re-lay1590

the world > space > shape > flatness or levelness > make flat or level [verb (transitive)]

evenlOE

slighta1300

planec1350

complanec1420

levelc1450

dismount1563

planish1580

equalize1596

equal1610

to even out1613

flat1613

flattena1631

complanate1643

platten1688

reconcile1712

range1825

macadamize1826

lay1892

plata1903

1579 E. Spenser Shepheardes Cal. Oct. 119 When my Gates shall han their bellies layd: Cuddie shall haue a Kidde to store his farme.

1823 J. Badcock Domest. Amusem. 185 This will lay some blisters, and prevent others rising.

1892 Leisure Hour Nov. 72/2 Silk hats are ‘renovated’ by brushing them round smoothly with a wet brush to lay the nap.

5. Nautical. To sail out to such a distance as to bring (an object) to or below the horizon. (Opposed to raise.)

ΘΚΠ

society > travel > travel by water > directing or managing a ship > direct or manage ship [verb (transitive)] > set a ship's course > lose sight of by sailing away

lay1574

settle1769

sink1769

to sail down1847

close1858

1574 W. Bourne Regim. for Sea (1577) xiii. 39 a In going to the North, you doe rayse the Pole, and lay the Equinoctiall.

1711 Mil. & Sea Dict. (ed. 4) To Lay the Land. When they have sail'd out of Sight of Land, they say, they have Laid the Land.

1711 London Gaz. No. 4887/3 We chased them till Ten, at which time we had laid their Hulls.

1769 W. Falconer Universal Dict. Marine Laying the land, in navigation, the state of motion which increases the distance from the coast, so as to make it appear lower and smaller..used in contradistinction to raising the land.

a. Horticulture. = layer v. 1b. Also reflexive of the plant. ? Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > food and drink > farming > gardening > management of plants > propagation of plants > [verb (intransitive)] > layer

lay1565

supplant1601

layer1831

the world > food and drink > farming > gardening > management of plants > propagation of plants > propagate [verb (transitive)] > layer

pleacha1398

provine?1440

lay1565

layer1845

1565 T. Cooper Thesaurus at Sterno Vites stratæ, quæ & constratæ. Vines growyng close to the grounde, or layed or planted in the earth.

1664 J. Evelyn Kalendarium Hortense 71 in Sylva You may lay Myrtils, and other curious Greens.

1696 E. Phillips New World of Words (new ed.) To Lay, in Gardening is to bend down the Branches, and cover them that they may take Root.

1707–12 J. Mortimer Whole Art Husb. ii. 185 The chief time of laying gilliflowers is in July.

1772 R. Waring in Philos. Trans. 1771 (Royal Soc.) 61 387 Inferiour plants, that sometimes, in the phrase of gardening, lay them~selves.

1822 J. C. Loudon Encycl. Gardening iii. ii. 978 In that case the new plants [i.e. pinks] are not so well rooted as those layed earlier.

1851 B'ham & Midl. Gardeners' Mag. May 68 Lay and peg your plants.

b. dialect ‘ to lay a hedge, to trim it back, cutting the boughs half through, and then bending them down and intertwining them so as to strengthen the fence’ ( Wiltsh. Gloss.).

ΚΠ

1765 Museum Rusticum 4 80 Making, plashing and laying live hedges.

1851 Jrnl. Royal Agric. Soc. 12 ii. 336 The fences..have been plashed and laid.

II. To deposit.

a. To place in a position of rest on the ground or any other supporting surface; to deposit in some situation specified by means of an adverb or phrase. †to lay lake: to offer sacrifice (quot. a1225).

ΘΚΠ

the world > space > place > placing or fact of being placed in (a) position > place or put in a position [verb (transitive)]

doeOE

layc950

seta1000

puta1225

dight1297

pilt?a1300

stow1362

stick1372

bestowc1374

affichea1382

posec1385

couchc1386

dressa1387

assize1393

yarkc1400

sita1425

place1442

colloque1490

siegea1500

stake1513

win1515

plat1529

collocate1548

campc1550

posit1645

posture1645

constitute1652

impose1681

sist1852

shove1902

spot1937

the world > space > place > placing or fact of being placed in (a) position > place or put in a position [verb (transitive)] > in contact with a surface

layc950

set971

input1382

immotec1420

impone1529

impose1598

the world > space > relative position > horizontal position or condition > place in horizontal position [verb (transitive)] > lay flat (on the ground)

layc950

lairc1200

streek1303

to lay lowc1405

prostrate1483

prostern1490

spald1513

prostitute1583

prosternate1593

lodge1597

flatten1712

c950 Lindisf. Gosp. Matt. xxi. 8 Hia geðurscon tuiggo of treum & gebredon vel legdon on weg.

c1175 Lamb. Hom. 101 Ða ileaffullen brohton heore gersum, and leiden heo et þere apostlan fotan.

c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 14667 Sniþ itt alls itt wære an shep. & leȝȝ itt upp onn allterr.

c1200 Moral Ode 12 in Trin. Coll. Hom. Alto muchel ic habbe ispend, to litel ileid on horde.

a1225 Leg. Kath. 1895 Ȝef þu leist lac to ure liuiende godes.

a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) l. 3234 Þat men miȝt legge him mete & wateren atte wille.

1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (Rolls) VII. 369 He was wont to legge his heed uppon a forme of þe chirche.

1399 W. Langland Richard Redeles ii. 186 Lymed leues were leyde all aboute.

a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 7186 Sampson..bar þe yates o þe tun, And laid þam on a hei dun.

c1450 Two Cookery-bks. 109 Take brede..and make it broune, and ley hit in vynegre.

c1480 (a1400) St. Peter 429 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) I. 19 He can it ta,..and syne it lade In his slefe.

a1513 W. Dunbar Poems (1998) I. 159 Thornis laid in thy way.

1535 Bible (Coverdale) Lev. i. 8 Y^e peces..shal they laye vpon the wodd.

1582 Bible (Rheims) Matt. viii. 20 The sonne of man hath not where to lay his head. [So 1611; earlier versions ‘rest’.]

1604 E. Grimeston tr. J. de Acosta Nat. & Morall Hist. Indies v. xxiv. 394 Al the people did humble themselves, laying earth vpon their heads.

1666 J. Evelyn Kalendarium Hortense (ed. 2) 64 If it prove too wet, lay your pots side-long.

1666 R. Boyle Origine Formes & Qualities 355 I had layd it upon a piece of white Paper by the fires side to dry.

1669 S. Sturmy Mariners Mag. i. 31 Laying a Ruler over the Intersections..draw the line GH.

1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iv, in tr. Virgil Wks. 124 Plaister thou the chinky Hives with Clay, And leafy Branches o're their Lodgings lay .

1701 W. Wotton Hist. Rome ii. 233 He layd the Book upon the Bed.

1838 T. Thomson Chem. Org. Bodies 676 Two pieces of paper..were laid upon each other, and allowed to dry.

1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. v. 532 He had contrived to scatter lampoons about the terrace of Windsor, and even to lay them under the royal pillow.

b. To place documents containing information on the table (see table n. Phrases 4a(a)) in order to present the information to the members.

ΘΚΠ

society > authority > rule or government > ruler or governor > deliberative, legislative, or administrative assembly > governing or legislative body of a nation or community > procedure of parliament or national assembly > [verb (transitive)] > lay documents before parliament

lay1923

1813 Hansard Commons 17 Mar. 142 Mr. Whitbread then moved, that the Petition be laid upon the table; which was ordered accordingly.]

1923 Westm. Gaz. 3 Aug. The Premier promised to lay all the correspondence, if M. Poincaré consents.

1924 Hansard Commons 10 Mar. 1931 His Majesty's Government have been willing to lay the complete records, but objections have been raised.

1964 Erskine May's Law of Parl. (ed. 17) xiii. 274 A similar order was made..in cases where a paper was laid under an Act that prescribed a period during which objection to it could be taken.

8. With mixture of sense 1.

a. To place (a person, one's limbs, oneself) in a recumbent posture in a specified place. to be laid: to lie down, recline (†formerly sometimes without a specifying adverb or phrase).

ΘΚΠ

the world > space > place > position or situation > be positioned or situated [verb (intransitive)] > permanently

liea1000

layc1175

the world > space > relative position > posture > action or fact of lying down or reclining > lie down or recline [verb (intransitive)]

leanc950

resteOE

liec1000

to be laidc1175

layc1300

to lie along1530

recline1578

to horizontalize it1843

recumb1906

cwtch1921

the world > space > relative position > posture > action or fact of lying down or reclining > lie down or recline [verb (intransitive)] > lie down or assume reclining position

layc1175

to lie downc1275

liec1330

stretch1828

the world > space > relative position > posture > action or fact of lying down or reclining > lie down or recline [verb (transitive)] > lay down or cause to lie down

layc1175

to lay downc1250

coucha1375

c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 3401 Þeȝȝ fundenn þær þe child Þær itt wass leȝȝd i cribbe.

c1275 Sinners Beware 284 in Old Eng. Misc. 81 Ye me..leyden in softe bedde.

c1385 G. Chaucer Legend Good Women Prol. B. 208 Whan I was leyd, and had myn eyen hed.

a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 8604 Wimmen..þat lais [Trin. Cambr. leyn] in bedd yong barn þam bi.

c1475 Partenay 2889 But slepe myght he noght when that he was led.

1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry V f. lxxx Kyng Henry wexed sicker and sicker, and so was layd in a horselitter.

1607 Merrie Iests George Peele 19 With much adoe, her maide had her to Bed, who was no sooner laid but shee fell asleepe.

1608 E. Topsell Hist. Serpents 230 When hee is layd, he careth not for rising againe.

a1701 C. Sedley Pindaric Ode in Wks. (1778) II. 17 The bleating sheep are laid; And on the earth the nightly dew distils.

1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. iii. 321 The coarse jollity of the afternoon was often prolonged till the revellers were laid under the table.

1849 W. E. Aytoun Hermotimus in Poems ii Fain I'd lay me gently by thy side.

1853 M. Arnold Scholar Gipsy in Poems (new ed.) 202 The bent grass where I am laid.

b. To deposit in the grave; to bury. Only with adverb or phrase indicating the place. to lay one's bones: to be buried (in a specified place).

ΘΚΠ

the world > life > death > disposal of corpse > burial > bury or entomb [verb (transitive)]

bedelveOE

begraveOE

burya1000

beburyc1000

bifel-ec1000

layc1000

to fall, lull, lay (bring obs.) asleepOE

tombc1275

gravec1300

inter1303

rekec1330

to lap in leadc1340

to lay to rest, abed, to bed1340

lie1387

to louk in clay (lead, etc.)?a1400

to lay lowa1425

earthc1450

sepulture1490

to put awaya1500

tyrea1500

mould1530

to graith in the grave1535

ingrave1535

intumulate1535

sepult1544

intumil?c1550

yird1562

shrinea1566

infera1575

entomb1576

sepelite1577

shroud1577

funeral1578

to load with earth1578

delve1587

to lay up1591

sepulchrize1595

pit-hole1607

infuneral1610

mool1610

inhumate1612

inurna1616

inhume1616

pit1621

tumulate1623

sepulchrea1626

turf1628

underlay1639

urna1657

to lay to sleep, asleep1701

envaulta1745

plant1785

ensepulchre1820

sheugh1839

to put under1879

to lay away1885

the world > life > death > disposal of corpse > burial > be buried [verb (intransitive)]

underlie1648

to lay one's bones1698

to take a ground-sweat1834

c1000 West Saxon Gospels: John (Corpus Cambr.) xx. 15 Sege me hwar þu hine ledest [c1160 Hatton Gosp. leydest].

11.. Anglo-Saxon Chron. anno 1075 (Laud) Se cyng hi let bryngan to Westmynstre..& lægde hi wið Eadward kyng hire hlaforde.

c1175 Lamb. Hom. 51 Efterþan þet þe mon bið dead, me leið þene licome in þere þruh.

a1225 Leg. Kath. 2251 We..þæt licome awei ledden & leiden in eorðe.

c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1978) l. 8903 Leggeð me an æst ænde inne Stan-henge.

a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 817 Fowre biried ðor ben; Ðor was leid adam and eua, Abram siðen and sarra.

1388 Bible (Wycliffite, L.V.) Acts xiii. 36 Dauid..diede, and was leid with hise fadris.

a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 17794 Lang es gan Sin þai war ded, laid vnder stan.

a1400 Prymer (St. John's Cambr.) (1891) 50 Thei leyde hym in his graue.

c1480 (a1400) St. Katherine 1179 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) II. 476 Angelis..hire body bare to mont synay, & lait It þare.

1578 W. Hunnis in R. Edwards Paradyse Daynty Deuises (rev. ed.) sig. Bi After they be layde in graue.

1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Æneis xi, in tr. Virgil Wks. 547 Part, in the Places where they fell, are laid.

1698 J. Fryer New Acct. E.-India & Persia 57 The Air so salubrious, that never any English are remembered to lay their Bones here.

1836 W. Irving Astoria I. 121 My uncle was lost a few years ago on this same bar, and I am now going to lay my bones alongside of his.

1853 M. Arnold Scholar Gipsy in Poems (new ed.) 209 Thou from earth art gone Long since, and in some quiet churchyard laid.

1879 J. Morley Burke ix. 206 He was laid in the little church at Beaconsfield.

c. to lay to sleep, asleep: to put to rest; to put in the last resting-place, to bury; also figurative. Also to lay to rest, †abed, †to bed.

ΘΚΠ

the world > life > death > disposal of corpse > burial > bury or entomb [verb (transitive)]

bedelveOE

begraveOE

burya1000

beburyc1000

bifel-ec1000

layc1000

to fall, lull, lay (bring obs.) asleepOE

tombc1275

gravec1300

inter1303

rekec1330

to lap in leadc1340

to lay to rest, abed, to bed1340

lie1387

to louk in clay (lead, etc.)?a1400

to lay lowa1425

earthc1450

sepulture1490

to put awaya1500

tyrea1500

mould1530

to graith in the grave1535

ingrave1535

intumulate1535

sepult1544

intumil?c1550

yird1562

shrinea1566

infera1575

entomb1576

sepelite1577

shroud1577

funeral1578

to load with earth1578

delve1587

to lay up1591

sepulchrize1595

pit-hole1607

infuneral1610

mool1610

inhumate1612

inurna1616

inhume1616

pit1621

tumulate1623

sepulchrea1626

turf1628

underlay1639

urna1657

to lay to sleep, asleep1701

envaulta1745

plant1785

ensepulchre1820

sheugh1839

to put under1879

to lay away1885

the world > action or operation > inaction > make inactive [verb (transitive)] > bring to a state of inactivity

to lay to rest, abed, to bed1591

to fall, lull, lay (bring obs.) asleep1594

to lay to sleep, asleep1692

1340–70 Alisaunder 823 Hee sawe..How þat louelich lif laide was a bedde, And a gracious God gripte hur in armes.

a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 14199 Lazar vr freind es laid on-slepe.

c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 10410 Thai..logget þe long nyght, layd hom to rest.

1591 E. Spenser Teares of Muses in Complaints 183 O! all is gone; and all that goodly glee..Is layd abed, and no where now to see.

a1616 W. Shakespeare Tempest (1623) ii. i. 284.

a1616 W. Shakespeare Antony & Cleopatra (1623) ii. ii. 234 Royall Wench: She made great Cæsar lay his Sword to bed.

1676 T. Hobbes tr. Homer Iliads xiv. (table) Juno by the help of Venus layeth Jove asleep.

1692 tr. Sallust Wks. 33 Malice and Pride were laid asleep.

1701 W. Wotton Hist. Rome ii. 235 The Poyson soon layd him to sleep.

1814 J. Hunter Who wrote Cavendish's Wolsey? 13 There is, in this, what might lay a general biographer, who was a very Argus, asleep.

1869 A. W. Ward tr. E. Curtius Hist. Greece II. ii. v. 112 He was laid to rest among his ancestors.

1881 S. R. Gardiner & J. B. Mullinger Introd. Study Eng. Hist. i. x. 186 The questions springing out of the Toleration Act had long been laid asleep.

9. To produce and deposit (an egg). Also absol. Often in figurative contexts. Also figurative phrase to lay an egg, used in various colloquial senses, spec.: (a) (of an aircraft) to drop a bomb; (b) originally U.S. (of a performer or performance) to flop.

ΘΚΠ

the world > animals > animal body > general parts > sexual organs and reproduction > [verb (transitive)] > give birth to > lay (eggs)

layc1000

warpa1340

cast1587

spawna1616

spawna1617

deposit1692

oviposit1847

spit1847

society > armed hostility > hostilities in the air > attack with aircraft [verb (intransitive)] > drop bomb

to lay an egg1918

the world > action or operation > failure or lack of success > fail or be unsuccessful [verb (intransitive)]

withsitc1330

fail1340

defaulta1382

errc1430

to fall (also go) by the wayside1526

misthrive1567

miss1599

to come bad, or no, speedc1600

shrink1608

abortivea1670

maroon1717

to flash in the pan1792

skunk1831

to go to the dickens1833

to miss fire1838

to fall flat1841

fizzle1847

to lose out1858

to fall down1873

to crap out1891

flivver1912

flop1919

skid1920

to lay an egg1929

to blow out1939

to strike out1946

bomb1963

to come (also have) a buster1968

c1000 Sax. Leechd. III. 204 Henne ægru lecgan gestreon mid carfulnysse ge[tacnað].

c1230 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Corpus Cambr.) (1962) 36 Þe hen hwen ha haueð ileid ne con bute cakelin.

13.. K. Alis. 568 A faukon..An ay he laide.

c1420 Pallad. on Husb. i. 583 Wiltow they oftyn hacche & eyron grete They legge.

?1523 J. Fitzherbert Bk. Husbandry f. xlix Thou must take hede howe thy hennes, duckes, and gees do ley.

1553 R. Eden in tr. S. Münster Treat. Newe India Pref. sig. Aij I wold be loth to lay an egge, wherof other men might hatche a serpent.

1611 Bible (King James) Isa. xxxiv. 15 There shall the great owle make her nest, and lay and hatch.

1678 S. Butler Hudibras: Third Pt. iii. iii. 230 Like Nest-eggs, to make Clients lay.

1711 J. Addison Spectator No. 120. ¶14 When she has laid her Eggs in such a Manner that she can cover them.

1780 W. Cowper Progress of Error 239 Remorse, the fatal egg by Pleasure laid In every bosom where her nest is made.

1830 F. Marryat King's Own III. i. 21 One of the hens laid astray.

1841 Jrnl. Royal Agric. Soc. 2 i. 23 [They] lay their eggs in the bodies of other insects.

1884 Times (Weekly ed.) 19 Sept. 6/4 [Pheasants] lay freely in the thick coverts on the hillsides.

1918 E. M. Roberts Flying Fighter 335 Eggs, bombs weighing twenty pounds and upward filled with high explosives and ‘laid’ in Hunland.

1927 Daily Express 2 June 11/2 ‘Laying an egg’ in Air Force slang means dropping a bomb.

1929 Variety 30 Oct. 1 (headline) Wall Street lays an egg... The most dramatic event in the financial history of America is the collapse of the New York Stock Market.

1940 J. O'Hara Pal Joey 38 You would just as well come wearing a shell if you ever took a job [singing] in a spot like this, that is how big an egg you would lay.

1949 L. Feather Inside Be-bop iii. 30 The singer had been laying eggs at the Zanzibar..and Shaw was undecided what to do with him.

1958 Spectator 6 June 730/2 The second gambit, when a joke is so drearily bad..that even a studio audience can't laugh at it, is to admit, quite shamelessly, that one has, as they say, laid an egg.

1964 People (Austral.) 16 Dec. 45/1 A Stuka caught us in the town of Lamia. The plane duly laid an egg. I was crouched alongside a wall. The bomb landed on the other side of the wall.

†10. To deposit (payment). Obsolete. rare.

ΘΚΠ

society > trade and finance > payment > pay money or things [verb (transitive)] > lay down money

to lay down1560

lay1572

to tell down1600

consign1633

deposita1640

post1821

1572 (a1500) Taill of Rauf Coilȝear (1882) 299 God forbid..That for ane nichtis harbery Pay suld be laid.

†11.

a. With adverbial phrase as complement, e.g. to wed, to pledge, in pawn: To deposit as a pledge or in pawn; hence, to mortgage (lands). Also, to lay a wed. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > language > speech > agreement > security > pledge or deposit as security [verb (transitive)]

setc1000

plight?c1225

lay1297

wagec1330

to lay to borrowc1405

pledgea1475

impledge1548

pawn1570

impawn1598

deposita1640

the mind > language > speech > agreement > security > pledge or deposit as security [verb (transitive)] > a person

to set, put, lay to or in wed?a900

lay1297

hostage1624

1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (Rolls) 8083 He..leide willam is broþer to wedde normandye.

c1374 G. Chaucer Compl. Mars 205 They myghten lyghtly ley hire hede to borowe.

1377 W. Langland Piers Plowman B. xviii. 31 Lyf..leyth his lif to wedde, þat [etc.].

1389 in J. T. Smith & L. T. Smith Eng. Gilds (1870) 8 Þat þey leye a suffisaunt wed.

c1400 Mandeville's Trav. (Roxb.) ii. 6 Þe emperour had layd þam [þise relyques] in wedd for a grete soume of gold.

1461 King Edward IV Grant in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) II. 243 A dyamaunt and a gret perle, which were leyd to plegge by oure fader.

a1513 W. Dunbar Poems (1998) I. 39 Sum bydand the law layis land in wed.

c1515 Ld. Berners tr. Bk. Duke Huon of Burdeux (1882–7) cxlvi. 552 Without..laynge to plegge any fote of londe pertenynge to my churche.

1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 603/1 I lay to morgage, as one dothe his herytage.

1560 J. Daus tr. J. Sleidane Commentaries f. ccxlvj^v That he laie to them againe in mortgage so mutch of hys owne landes.

1587 R. Hakluyt tr. R. de Laudonnière Notable Hist. Foure Voy. Florida Ded. p. iii She layde part of her owne Iewels..to gage.

1602 W. Shakespeare Merry Wives of Windsor ii. ii. 7 I haue beene content you shuld lay my countenance to pawne.

1609 J. Skene tr. Regiam Majestatem 49 Ane thing is laid in wad to ane certaine day.

1698 R. Ferguson View Ecclesiastick 53 (61) I do pledge and lay my Word to pawn that [etc.].

†b. To give up as a hostage. Also, to lay a hostage. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > language > speech > agreement > security > pledge oneself [verb (reflexive)]

to lay a hostagec1330

c1330 (?c1300) Guy of Warwick (Auch.) l. 2476 My bodi þerfore in ostage y legge.

c1515 Ld. Berners tr. Bk. Duke Huon of Burdeux (1882–7) xiii. 37 Y^e kyng sayd that Huon muost lay hostage.

c1515 Ld. Berners tr. Bk. Duke Huon of Burdeux (1882–7) xviii. 51 I wyll thou layest vnto me good hostages.

1523 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Cronycles I. lxxxviii. 110 He layed his sonne in hostage.

c1600 Diurnal of Remarkable Occurrents (1833) 10 The next yeir therefter he was redeemit and his tua sones laid for him.

12.

a. To put down or deposit as a wager; to stake, bet, or wager (a sum, one's head, life, etc.). Also to lay a wager.

ΘΚΠ

society > leisure > entertainment > pastimes > betting > bet [verb (intransitive)]

laya1300

to lay wedc1330

stake1530

wager1604

bet1609

gamble1757

sport1760

invest1852

punt1887

society > leisure > entertainment > pastimes > betting > bet on [verb (transitive)] > bet (money, etc.)

laya1300

wed1362

to lay downc1430

setc1460

jeopardc1470

wage1484

holda1500

pary?a1505

to stake down1565

stake1591

gagec1598

bet?a1600

go1607

wagera1616

abet1617

impone1702

sport1706

stand1795

gamble1813

parlay1828

ante1846

to put on1890

plunge1919

a1300 Floriz & Bl. (Hausknecht) 786 Ȝerne he wile þe bidde and preie, Þat þu legge þe cupe to pleie.

1303 R. Mannyng Handlyng Synne 5598 A waiour dar y wyþ ȝow ley Þat [etc.].

c1330 (?a1300) Sir Tristrem (1886) l. 678 Þai ȝolden me þat y layd.

a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) l. 2169 I der leye mi lif hit was þe liþer treytour.

1393 W. Langland Piers Plowman C. ix. 291 Ich dar legge myn eres.

1404 in H. Ellis Orig. Lett. Eng. Hist. (1827) 2nd Ser. I. 36 I durste lae my hede, that [etc.].

c1449 R. Pecock Repressor (1860) 145 This y dare avowe and dare leie what waiour eny man wole me forto leie.

1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 602/1 I lay a nobyll agaynst a peny that it is nat so.

1573 New Custome i. ii. sig. B j Harke Simplicitie hee is some preacher I wyll lay my gowne.

1600 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 2 v. v. 103 I wil lay ods, that..We beare our ciuil swords and natiue fier, As farre as France.

1632 J. Pory Let. 6 Dec. in H. Ellis Orig. Lett. Eng. Hist. (1827) 2nd Ser. III. 277 Hee would lay ten to one, the king was dead.

1711 R. Steele Spectator No. 79. ⁋5 I'll lay what Wager she pleases against her present Favourite.

1785 W. Cowper Tirocinium in Task 863 Canst thou..Lay such a stake upon the losing side?

1801 M. Edgeworth Forester in Moral Tales I. 23 He spent his time in training horses, laying bets.

1887 C. Bowen tr. Virgil Eclogues iii, in tr. Virgil in Eng. Verse 17 This heifer I lay thee lest thou decline..what stake for the coming battle is thine?

1891 F. W. Robinson Her Love & his Life III. vi. iii. 135 I never lay wagers.

b. absol. or intransitive. To wager, bet.In Middle English poetry I lay, I dare lay is often used as little more than a rhyming expletive.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > language > statement > assurance, confirmation, or guarantee > assure, confirm, or guarantee [verb (intransitive)]

testify1377

I dare layc1380

borrowc1475

to engage fora1680

c1380 Sir Ferumbras (1879) l. 2367 Of Charlemeyn ne his ferede nabbeþ þay non help, y legge.

c1384 G. Chaucer Hous of Fame ii. 166 There I seye Mo wonder thynges dar I leye.

c1475 (?c1425) Avowing of King Arthur (1984) l. 603 Him is lefe, I dar lay, To hald þat he heȝte.

1508 Golagros & Gawane (Chepman & Myllar) sig. aii* Yhit ar thi latis vnlufsum and ladlike I lay.

1535 Bible (Coverdale) Isa. xiv. C Yet darre I laye, y^t thou shalt be brought downe to the depe of hell.

1677 W. Hughes Man of Sin iii. i. 13 She offers a Wager... They lay: and 'twas for what the Friar owed.

a1680 S. Butler Genuine Remains (1759) I. 143 Rooking Gamesters never lay Upon those Hands, that use fair Play.

1777 F. Burney Jrnl. July in Early Jrnls. & Lett. (1990) II. 283 I ventured not to lay against her, because I thought her rather too much in the secret.

1883 R. L. Stevenson Treasure Island iv. xx. 159 I know a gentleman, and you may lay to that.

1889 M. E. Carter Mrs. Severn I. i. xiii. 254 I lay I'll keep drier on my own shanks.

c. To bet on (a horse).

ΘΚΠ

society > leisure > entertainment > pastimes > betting > bet on [verb (transitive)]

back1697

to put one's money on1847

to put one's shirt on1856

play1858

lump1864

lay1877

stand1877

to get on ——1884

to bet (also stake) one's shirt (that)1892

to go a (or the) bundle on1938

1877 Porcupine 10 Mar. 790/1 Whether it is as immoral to ‘bear the market’ as to ‘lay the favourite’;..all these are irrelevant issues.

1887 W. B. Gilpin Four Hunting Stories vi. 68 They refused to lay him except at odds on.

1887 W. B. Gilpin Four Hunting Stories x. 97 His..plans..‘to lay the horse all he could without exciting too much suspicion’.

1891 N. Gould Double Event 6 The heaviest layers of odds..had laid Caloola..for considerable amounts.

1901 Daily Chron. 24 July 3/2 For the Derby or other important races Davis would lay a horse to the extent of £100,000 in one bet.

†13. transitive. To relinquish, sacrifice (one's life); = to lay down at Phrasal verbs (to lay down 5 at Phrasal verbs). Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > life > death > [verb (intransitive)] > lay down one's life

to lose (also give, lay down, etc.) one's lifeOE

layc1330

putc1384

c1330 Arth. & Merl. 7188 (Kölbing) Oȝain.. bare him þurch wombe & rigge, His liif he dede him þere legge.

c1330 Arth. & Merl. 2026.

c1330 Arth. & Merl. 6426.

1340 Ayenbite (1866) 149 We ssolle legge oure zaules uor oure broþren.

c1430 Christ's Compl. 591 in Pol. Rel. & L. Poems (1866) 201 For þi loue my lijf y laied.

1567 Compend. Bk. Godly Songs (1897) 142 Than suld we outher do or die, Or ellis our lyfe we suld lay for it.

†14. To lose the faculty of (speech). northern. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > health and disease > ill health > a disease > vocal disorders > have a vocal disorder [verb (intransitive)] > lose power of speech

layc1350

c1350 Medical MS. in Archaeologia 30 354 Ȝif a man for sekenesse hat leyde speche.

1566 in J. Raine Wills & Inventories N. Counties Eng. (1835) I. 261 Thes things hearafter fouloing was propounded to him when he had layd spetch, and he..gau his consent by sygnes.

1637–50 J. Row Hist. Kirk Scotl. (Wodrow Soc.) 439 He hoped that he should yit speak, suppose it be said that his speech is laid, and show his awin mynde.

III. To place, set, apply.

15.

a. To place close to; to put to for a purpose, to apply; sometimes const. on, upon. †to lay ear to: to give ear to, listen or attend to. to lay to heart: see heart n., int., and adv. Phrases 3f.

ΘΚΠ

the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > hear [verb (transitive)] > listen to

listenc950

hearOE

hearkenc1000

listc1175

to-heara1250

tend1340

attenda1400

to lay ear toa1400

receivea1425

intenda1500

ear1582

exhause1599

auscultate1892

catch1906

OE Genesis 2338 Abraham..legde hleor on eorðan.

c1000 Ælfric Genesis xxi. 7 Þæt Sarra sceolde lecgan cild to hyre breoste to gesoce on ylde.

c1000 Sax. Leechd. III. 86 Nim wingeardes sæt &..lege uppan þat sar.

c1200 Trin. Coll. Hom. 197 Þe neddre secheð a ston and leið hire on eare þer to.

c1220 Bestiary 359 Is non at nede ðat oðer lateð, Oc leiȝeð his skinbon on oðres lendbon.

1377 W. Langland Piers Plowman B. xvi. 44 The Fende..leith a laddre there-to, of lesynges are the ronges.

c1384 G. Chaucer Hous of Fame i. 291 That he that fully knoweth therbe May savely ley hyt to his ye.

a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Trin. Cambr.) l. 1241 Vpon his spade his brest he leide.

a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 23831 Selden com we sarmon nere..þe ere þar-to selden we lai.

a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 16340 Pilate..Of his clothes vn-clethes him, And oþer on him did lai.

c1400 Rom. Rose 7611 Ley no deef ere to my speking.

c1450 Middle Eng. Med. Bk. (Heinrich) 201 Tak yarwe & le þe rotos y brused to þe teþ.

c1480 (a1400) St. Paul 388 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) I. 40 Þe hevid þan to þe fete þai lad..and..a-bowt turnyt þe ded body.

1526 Bible (Tyndale) Luke iii. f. lxxvj^v Nowe also ys the axe leyd vnto the rote off the trees.

1604 W. Shakespeare Hamlet iii. iv. 136 Lay not that flattering vnction to your soule That not your trespasse but my madnesse speakes.

1611 Bible (King James) Ezek. xxxvii. 6 I wil lay sinewis vpon you, and wil bring vp flesh vpon you.

a1616 W. Shakespeare Macbeth (1623) i. iii. 42 By each at once her choppie finger laying Vpon her skinnie Lips.

1817 Blackwood's Mag. 2 86/1 Instead of passing the one-horse chaise, he [a horse] laid his counter close up to it, and stopt it.

1870 C. M. Yonge Cameos xcix, in Monthly Packet Mar. 249 He had laid the spark to the train.

†b. To attach, add, annex to.

ΚΠ

a1023 Wulfstan Homilies 274 Leofan menn, lagjað gode woroldlagan and lecgað þærtoeacan, þat [etc.].

a1225 Leg. Kath. 1434 Se rudie & se reade ilitet eauereuch leor as lilie ileid to rose.

a1425 (c1395) Bible (Wycliffite, L.V.) (Royal) (1850) Ecclus. xviii. 5 It is not to make lesse, nether to leie to.

1560 Bible (Geneva) Isa. v. 8 Wo vnto them that ioyne house to house, and lay field to field.

1589 G. Puttenham Arte Eng. Poesie ii. xi. sig. j^v He conquered..Egypt, and layd it to his dominion.

1601 P. Holland tr. Pliny Hist. World I. 53 The townes next to the marches..laid to Bœtica.

1647 N. Bacon Hist. Disc. Govt. 32 The incumbent also of every Church had Glebe laid to the Church.

a1656 J. Ussher Ann. World (1658) vi. 253 A multitude of townes and villages..all which he laid to Porus his Kingdom.

1819 in J. A. Picton City of Liverpool: Select. Munic. Rec. (1886) II. 373 The buildings..may be removed and part of the land laid to the street in the intended line of improvement.

†c. to lay from, off: to put away from (oneself); to take (one's fingers) off something. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > possession > relinquishing > casting or laying aside > [verb (transitive)]

to let awaya1000

forcast?c1225

to lay downc1275

forthrow1340

flita1375

removea1382

to cast away1382

understrewc1384

castc1390

to lay awaya1400

to lay asidec1440

slingc1440

warpiss1444

to lay from, offc1480

way-put1496

depose1526

to lay apart1526

to put off1526

to set apart1530

to turn up1541

abandonate?1561

devest1566

dispatch1569

decarta1572

discard1578

to make away1580

to fling away1587

to cast off1597

doff1599

cashier1603

to set by1603

moult1604

excuss1607

retorta1616

divest1639

deposit1646

disentail1667

dismiss1675

slough1845

shed1856

jettison1869

shake1872

offload1900

junk1911

dump1919

sluff1934

bin1940

to put down1944

shitcan1973

the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > providing with clothing > undressing or removing clothing > undress or remove clothing [verb (transitive)] > take off clothing

to do offeOE

to lay downc1275

to weve offc1290

stripc1320

doffa1375

loose1382

ofdrawa1393

casta1400

to take offa1400

warpa1400

to cast offc1400

to catch offc1400

waivec1400

voidc1407

to put off?a1425

to wap offc1440

to lay from, offc1480

despoil1483

to pull offc1500

slip1535

devest1566

to shift off1567

daff1609

discuss1640

to lay off1699

strip1762

douse1780

shuffle1837

derobe1841

shed1858

skin1861

peel1888

pull1888

c1480 (a1400) St. Andrew 684 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) I. 83 His clathis all fra hym he lad.

1526 Bible (Tyndale) Eph. iv. 22 Laye from you that olde man, which is corrupte thorowe the deceavable lustes.

1611 Bible (King James) Jonah iii. 6 He laid his robe from him.

a1616 W. Shakespeare Julius Caesar (1623) i. ii. 242 He was very loath to lay his fingers off it.

†d. To put in or commit to (prison). Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

society > authority > punishment > imprisonment > imprison [verb (transitive)]

beclosec1000

setc1100

steekc1175

prison?c1225

adightc1275

imprison1297

laya1325

keepc1330

presentc1380

locka1400

throwc1422

commise1480

clapc1530

shop1548

to lay up1565

incarcerate1575

embar1590

immure1598

hole1608

trunk1608

to keep (a person) darka1616

carceir1630

enjaila1631

pocket1631

bridewell1733

bastille1745

cage1805

quod1819

bag1824

carcerate1839

to send down1840

jug1841

slough1848

to send up1852

to put away1859

warehouse1881

roundhouse1889

smug1896

to bang up1950

a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 2693 Ðor ise fon he leide in bonde.

1434–5 in Hist. MSS Comm.: 10th Rep.: App. Pt. V: MSS Marquis of Ormonde &c (1885) 297 in Parl. Papers (C. 4576-I) XLII. 1 The said citsaine..shal be commytted and layed to jayle.

1526 Bible (Tyndale) Luke iii. f. lxxvij Then Herode..added this above all, and leyd Ihon in preson.

1560 J. Daus tr. J. Sleidane Commentaries f. ccccxxvj Hughe Latimer..whome kyng Edward deliuered out of the tower, layd in there by his father for doctrine.

†e. To compare with. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > discovery > comparison > compare [verb (transitive)]

evenOE

comparisonc1374

measurea1382

remenec1390

compare1509

confer?1531

to lay togethera1568

lay1577

paragona1586

paragonize1589

set1589

sympathize1600

confront1604

to name on (also in) the same day1609

collate1612

to lay down by1614

sampler1628

to set together1628

matcha1649

run1650

vie1685

to put together1690

1577 H. I. tr. H. Bullinger 50 Godlie Serm. I. ii. viii. sig. M.viii^v/1 They conferre the one with the other & lay them with the lawe.

f. to lay into or in one: to convert into one apartment or structure. ? local.

ΘΚΠ

the world > relative properties > wholeness > mutual relation of parts to whole > condition or state of being combined > combine [verb (transitive)] > into one structure

to lay into or in one1849

1849 Jrnl. Royal Agric. Soc. 10 ii. 412 Two bad cottages of one room each, if laid into one, might make an extremely good one.

1861 R. Willis in R. Willis & J. W. Clark Archit. Hist. Univ. Cambr. (1886) III. 174 Whenever the additional structure is completed, this wall can be removed, and the whole will be laid in one.

†g. to lay a name on: to give a name to.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > language > naming > give a name to [verb (transitive)]

nemneOE

nemela1325

namec1384

to lay a name ona1400

christena1470

nominate1545

baptizec1550

denominate1552

dename?1567

enterm1599

epithet1650

designate1676

nomenclate1801

godfather1879

a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 10577 Maria to nam on hir þai laid, Als þe angel had þam forwit said.

a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 9827 His names er þir, wit-vten les, þat þe prophet has on him laid.

h. To put (dogs) on a scent. (Cf. to lay on 9 at Phrasal verbs.) Also, to lay a trail on (a quarry).

ΘΚΠ

the world > food and drink > hunting > hunting with hounds > hunt with hounds [verb (transitive)] > put on scent

re-lay1590

to put (formerly also lay) (a dog) on the scenta1616

to lay on1655

put1673

to throw in1686

to cast hounds1781

lay1781

to throw on1815

1781 W. Cowper Expostulation 520 Thy soldiery, the Pope's well-managed pack..when he laid them on the scent of blood, Would hunt a Saracen through fire and flood.

1861 Temple Bar Dec. 53 He gets a little ‘law’ before the pack are laid upon his track.

1888 Times 13 Oct. 7/6 A trail should be laid on a man who makes his way along both frequented and unfrequented streets and on to some railway station.

16.

a. To place (affection, hope, confidence) on or in a person or thing. †Also, to lay praise, one's blessing, etc. upon. to lay †prize, store upon: to value, set store by. archaic.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > importance > [verb (transitive)] > regard as important

to lay prize, store upona1307

counta1400

regard1509

esteema1568

to put (also place, etc.) on a pedestal1811

to give (full, due) weight to1885

the mind > mental capacity > expectation > hope > confident hope, trust > trust in, rely on [verb (transitive)] > put trust in

setc825

besetc1175

laya1307

putc1400

repose1538

pin1583

a1307 Thrush & Nightingale 158 in W. C. Hazlitt Remains Early Pop. Poetry Eng. (1864) I. 56 Thou art ounwis, On hem to leggen so michel pris.

c1374 G. Chaucer Troilus & Criseyde v. 1846 For he nil falsen no wight, dar I seye, That wol his herte al hoolly on him leye.

a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) l. 1448 Þe loos on hire is leide.

a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 18340 On all his santes..His saing laid þat drightin dere.

c1480 (a1400) St. Peter 236 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) I. 14 Sic loiss on hym-self he laide.

c1550 Complaynt Scotl. (1979) vi. 51 My luf is laid apon ane knycht.

1580 Sir P. Sidney tr. Psalmes David xxi. vii Our king In heav'n his trust hath laied.

a1616 W. Shakespeare All's Well that ends Well (1623) iii. iii. 2 We Great in our hope, lay our best loue and credence Vpon thy promising fortune.

1719 I. Watts Psalms of David 332 To heav'n I lift my waiting eyes, There all my hopes are laid.

1883 R. W. Dixon Mano i. xiv. 45 And though on Blanche his love was wholly laid.

1889 A. Conan Doyle Micah Clarke xxxiii. 365 Neither now or at any time..have I laid great store upon my life.

†b. to lay (one's care, concerns) on God: to commit, trust to Him. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > expectation > hope > confident hope, trust > trust, have confidence in [verb (intransitive)] > in another

to lay (one's care, concerns) on Godc1175

put?1553

c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 2381 & all ȝho leȝȝde þatt o godd & onn hiss lefe wille. Þatt he þær offe shollde don All whatt se hiss wille wære.

1671 J. Milton Paradise Regain'd ii. 54 Let us be glad of this, and all our fears Lay on his Providence.

17. to lay … before: to place in front of, to bring to the sight of; hence, to bring to the notice of, to submit to the consideration of; †passive to be in store for. (Cf. branch IV.)

ΘΚΠ

society > communication > manifestation > offering for inspection or consideration > offer for inspection or consideration [verb (transitive)]

i-taechec888

to lay … beforec1000

showlOE

givec1175

to lay outc1440

produce1459

propose1548

cite1549

product1563

broach1573

offer1583

to hold up1604

to bring in1608

project1611

to bring ona1715

to trot out1838

to bring up1868

muster1904

the world > space > relative position > front > be in front of [verb (transitive)] > place in front (of)

foresetc825

to lay … beforec1000

again-puta1425

again-seta1425

preponea1513

prefer?1541

prepose?1541

prefix1604

prefacea1658

c1000 Ælfric Genesis xxxi. 37 Lege hit her beforan þinum freondum.

a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Trin. Cambr.) l. 15714 Muchel woo if he wist: is bifore him leide.

c1420 Pallad. on Husb. i. 661 When she fynt a corn, She chicketh hem and layth hit hem byfore.

c1480 (a1400) St. Thomas Apostle 102 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) I. 132 A blak hund..gat It, & lad before þame all.

1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection i. sig. Dvii^v They..brought the price therof, & layd it before the feyth of the apostles.

1535 Bible (Coverdale) Gen. xxx. G He layed the staues in the drynkinge troughes before the eyes of the flockes.

1535 Bible (Coverdale) 1 Chron. xxii. B Thre thinges laye I before the, chose y^e one of them.

1712 J. Addison Spectator No. 457. ¶1 I Shall this Day lay before my Reader a Letter.

a1715 Bp. G. Burnet Hist. Own Time (1734) II. 602 The Lower House ordered him to lay the Matter before the Attorney-General for his Opinion.

1726 Bp. J. Butler 15 Serm. vii. 136 We ought to lay these things plainly and honestly before our Mind.

1766 O. Goldsmith Vicar of Wakefield II. ix. 129 I hope you have no objections to laying your case before the uncle.

1849 W. E. Aytoun Buried Flower in Poems 163 And I laid my heart before thee, Laid it, darling, at thy feet!

1856 J. A. Froude Hist. Eng. (1858) I. ii. 94 Cardinal Morton..laid the condition of the secular clergy before the assembled prelates.

18.

a. To set (a snare, a trap, an ambush); †to set (watch). to lay wait: see wait n. 1b (and await n. 1b).

ΘΚΠ

the world > food and drink > hunting > hunt [verb (transitive)] > trap > set traps

setc825

teldc1000

layc1200

to set up1579

tail1770

toila1819

c1200 Trin. Coll. Hom. 209 Ure fo..leið grune in a wilderne to henten þe deor.

a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 16894 Yeming on him yee lai.

c1440 Bone Flor. 1358 To kepe the place day and nyghtys, And wach abowte hur lay.

c1515 Ld. Berners tr. Bk. Duke Huon of Burdeux (1882–7) lxxxiii. 262 We..layde our busshement in a lytell wood.

1535 Bible (Coverdale) Psalms lxiv. 5 [They] commoned amonge them selues, how they maye laye snares.

c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 10743 The ledes with~oute..Laidon wacche to þe wallis, þat no wegh past.

1548 Hall's Vnion: Edward IV f. ccxxij^v Watche was priuilie leyd for him.

a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 1 (1623) iii. i. 22 Thou layd'st a Trap to take my Life.

1670 T. S. & A. Roberts Adventures Eng. Merchant 111 The first time they laid an Ambuscado in their way.

a1859 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. (1861) V. 93 Melfort was particularly active in laying traps for the young noblemen and gentlemen of the Legation.

b. intr. to lay for: to set an ambush or a trap for; to beset the path of; to lie in wait for, waylay.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > hostile action or attack > make an attack upon [verb (transitive)] > lie in wait for

keepc1000

waitc1200

aspya1250

awaita1250

wait onc1390

to wait on ——1390

forestall1413

belay1470

to lay fora1513

waylay1513

forelay1548

ambush1555

counterwait1562

to lie for1611

set1670

a1513 R. Fabyan New Cronycles Eng. & Fraunce (1516) II. f. iiii^v ii. M. of His men..were layde for, & distressyd.

1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 602/1 I laye for, as hunters or fysshers layeth his nettes for his praye, je tens. I have layde for a pickrell, but I wene I shall catche a frogge.

1603 R. Knolles Gen. Hist. Turkes 569 Being..hardly laid for at sea by Cortugogli a famous pirat.

1609 P. Holland tr. Ammianus Marcellinus Rom. Hist. xix. ix. 134 The inhabitants beyond Tigris, streightly layed for, were all massacred every mothers child.

1623 P. Massinger Duke of Millaine v. i. sig. L3 Men in debt..layd for by their creditors.

1648 Bp. J. Hall Select Thoughts 246 Even our blessed leader..when he found that he was laid for in Judea, flees into Galilee.

1893 National Observer 20 May 22/1 He was ‘laid for’ by a scoundrel whom, being a magistrate, he had sent up for trial.

1897 M. Kingsley Trav. W. Afr. 291 The men go and lay for a rubber-hunter.

†c. transitive. To set watch or guard in (a place); to beset; to search (a place) for. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > endeavour > searching or seeking > search for or seek [verb (transitive)] > search (a place)

seekc1230

searcha1382

lay1560

ferret1582

sift1611

inquire?1615

hunt1712

screenge1825

the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > watching or keeping guard > watch or keep guard over [verb (transitive)] > set watch or guard in (a place)

watchc1330

lay1560

1560 J. Daus tr. J. Sleidane Commentaries f. lxxvij Somuche as the waye is layde, that I can neyther come nor sende vnto you.

1608 T. Middleton Your Fiue Gallants sig. G4^v Maister Primero was rob'd of a Carkanet vpon monday last, laid the goldsmiths and found it.

1608 T. Middleton Trick to catch Old-one i. sig. B I haue beene laying all the Towne for thee.

a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 2 (1623) iv. ix. 4 I..durst not peepe out, for all the Country is laid for me.

1621 Bp. H. King Serm. 3 As exquisite gluttons lay all markets for fare.

a1641 T. Heywood & W. Rowley Fortune by Land & Sea ii, in Wks. (1874) VI. 390 Continue our pursuit, all ways are layd.

19. to lay siege to, †unto, †about, †against, †before: to besiege; also figurative to attack. †Also to lay battery, blockade to.

ΘΚΠ

society > armed hostility > attack > action or state of siege or blockade > besiege or blockade [verb (transitive)]

belieOE

besita1100

beset?c1225

assiege1297

besiege1297

belayc1320

umsiegea1325

ensiegec1380

environa1382

to set before1382

siege1390

forset?a1400

foldc1400

setc1400

to lay siege to, unto, about, against, beforec1449

oppugn?a1475

pursue1488

obsess1503

ferma1522

gird1548

begird1589

beleaguer1590

block1591

invest1591

intermure1606

blockade1684

to lay blockade to1713

leaguer1720

to form the siege1776

cerne1857

c1449 R. Pecock Repressor (1860) 258 King Herri leieth a sege to Harflew.

c1450 (c1400) Sowdon of Babylon (1881) l. 2071 The sege he did leyen a-bowte On every side of that Cite.

1470–85 T. Malory Morte d'Arthur xx. x. 814 All his hoost made hem redy to laye syege aboute sir Launcelot.

1485 W. Caxton tr. Thystorye & Lyf Charles the Grete sig. kvj^v/1 He layed syege tofore it by the space of foure monethes.

a1513 W. Dunbar Poems (1998) I. 230 Gar lay ane sege unto ȝone fort.

1560 J. Daus tr. J. Sleidane Commentaries f. clxxxiiij King Fernando besegeth Offen or Buda and layeth to it battery.

a1616 W. Shakespeare Merry Wives of Windsor (1623) ii. ii. 226 To lay an amiable siege to the honesty of this Fords wife.

1647 T. May Hist. Parl. iii. v. 98 Three daies after the siege was layed.

1713 Light to Blind in 10th Rep. Royal Comm. Hist. MSS (1885) App. v. 200 His General..had lay'd a blocade..to Girona with 12,000 men.

1867 C. M. Yonge Cameos lxxxvi, in Monthly Packet Dec. 536 He laid siege to Roxburgh Castle.

20.

†a. To post or station (a body of soldiers, etc.); to station (post-horses) along a route. Also, to beset (a place) with soldiers. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

society > armed hostility > military operations > distribution of troops > [verb (transitive)] > assign to position

lay1454

stell1488

station1748

possie1918

society > travel > transport > transport or conveyance in a vehicle > transport by relays of horses or vehicles > [verb (transitive)] > station post-horses along a route

lay1689

1454 Petition W. Ingham in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) II. 87 The seide Thomas..layde dyuers folkes arraied in maner of werre..in ij busshementes.

1523 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Cronycles I. xc. 113 The lorde Loyes..and sir Othes Dornes, were layd on the see about Gernzay.

1535 Bible (Coverdale) 2 Chron. xxxiii. 14 He..layed captaynes in y^e stronge cities of Iuda.

1548 Hall's Vnion: Edward IV f. ccviij Without anye army layd..to kepe the Erle from landyng.

1577 R. Holinshed Hist. Eng. 128/2 in Chron. I They..lay the Sea coastes full of Souldiers.

a1599 E. Spenser View State Ireland 88 in J. Ware Two Hist. Ireland (1633) There is a Band of Souldiours layde in Mounster.

1689 T. Shadwell Bury-Fair iv, in Wks. (1720) IV. 182 He has laid horses, and will be ready to escape.

1736 T. Lediard Life Marlborough III. 299 Parties of Horse..were laid on the Road between Antwerp and that Town, to Escort his Grace.

1862 Temple Bar 6 566 I travelled in a manner which..used to be..very common in India... It is called ‘laying horses’; that is, you ‘lay’ out a horse every seven or eight miles along the road you are going to take.

b. To place or locate (a scene). †Also, to assign to a specified locality. to lay the venue: see the noun.

ΘΚΠ

the world > space > place > [verb (transitive)] > assign or attribute to particular place

lay1576

locate1781

localize1797

place1885

1576 W. Lambarde Perambulation of Kent 171 The booke of Domesday speaking of Apuldore, laieth it in the hundreth of Blackburne.

1597 W. Shakespeare Romeo & Juliet Prol. 2 In faire Verona, where we lay our Scene.

1601 P. Holland tr. Pliny Hist. World I. 145 Other Geographers..lay it as a dependant annexed to Affrick.

1668 J. Dryden Of Dramatick Poesie 50 The Scene of it [sc. The Silent Woman] is laid in London.

1785 W. Cowper Task iv. 697 I never framed a wish or formed a plan..But there I laid the scene.

1868 W. E. Gladstone Juventus Mundi (1870) ii. 34 In the legend of the birth of Eurustheus, the scene is laid in Ἄργος Ἀχαϊκόν.

21. With object denoting a member of the body.

a. gen. To place (one's limbs, etc.) in a certain position.

ΘΚΠ

the world > space > relative position > posture > place into or assume a posture [verb (transitive)] > specific part of body

lay1362

1362 W. Langland Piers Plowman A. vii. 115 And summe leiden the legges a-liri as suche losels cunne.

1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 602/1 Laye your legges a crosse and I wyll teache you a play.

a1616 W. Shakespeare Othello (1622) iii. iii. 428 Then layed his leg Ouer my thigh, and sigh'd, and kissed.

1842 Ld. Tennyson Beggar Maid 1 Her arms across her breast she laid.

1859 J. M. Jephson & L. Reeve Narr. Walking Tour Brittany iii. 29 The horse who was caressed in this affectionate style had scarcely the spirit even to lay back his ears.

†b. to lay eyes on: to ‘set eyes on’, look at.

ΘΚΠ

the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (transitive)] > look at or behold

to look to ——eOE

showeOE

lookeOE

lookOE

behold971

beseec1000

seeOE

to see on ——OE

yseeOE

belookc1175

to look against ——c1225

to lay eyes onc1230

biwaita1250

holde1303

aseea1325

to see upon ——a1350

rewardc1350

to look of ——?c1400

eyea1425

visage1450

aviewa1513

gove1513

regard1523

to look unto ——1545

respect1567

survise1600

aspect1610

reflect1611

inspeculate1694

spectate1709

to look for ——1786

deek1825

lookit1908

lamp1916

c1230 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Corpus Cambr.) (1962) 33 Ha lette him leggen ehnen on hire.

1676 A. Marvell Mr. Smirke sig. G^v The fairest thing that ever eyes were laid on.

1820 W. Irving Legend Sleepy Hollow in Sketch Bk. vi. 75 From the moment Ichabod laid his eyes upon these regions of delight, the peace of his mind was at an end.

c. to lay hands (or †hand) on or upon (†also in, to) a person or thing; (in the earliest quots. const. dative pronoun as indirect object with on adv.): (a) in lit. sense, to place one's hands on or apply them to, esp. for purposes of appropriation or in violence; hence (b) to seize, get hold of, appropriate; (c) to do violence to; now to lay violent hands on (with oneself = to commit suicide); (d) to perform the rite of imposition of hands in confirmation or ordination.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > possession > taking > seizing > seize [verb (transitive)]

gripea900

afangOE

to lay hands (or hand) on or upon (also in, to)OE

repeOE

atfonga1000

keepc1000

fang1016

kip1297

seize1338

to seize on or upon1399

to grip toc1400

rapc1415

to rap and rendc1415

comprise1423

forsetc1430

grip1488

to put (one's) hand(s) on (also in, to, unto, upon)1495

compass1509

to catch hold1520

hap1528

to lay hold (up)on, of1535

seisin?c1550

cly1567

scratch1582

attach1590

asseizea1593

grasp1642

to grasp at1677

collar1728

smuss1736

get1763

pin1768

grabble1796

bag1818

puckerow1843

nobble1877

jump1882

snaffle1902

snag1962

pull1967

the world > action or operation > behaviour > bad behaviour > violent behaviour > treat violently [verb (transitive)] > treat violently or roughly

to lay hands (or hand) on or upon (also in, to)OE

ransacka1400

attamec1430

ruffle1489

tug1493

to shear against the wool1546

rumble1570

finger1572

to pull about1679

misguggle1814

rowdy1825

to jerk around1833

scrag1835

rough1845

hooligan1898

roughhouse1898

savage1899

to rough up1915

to treat 'em rough1918

society > faith > worship > sacrament > order > ordination > ordain [verb (transitive)]

hallowc900

hodec1275

sacrec1290

ordainc1300

orderc1330

consecrate1387

sanctify1390

canonize1393

to lay hands (or hand) on or upon (also in, to)a1400

consacrea1492

ensacrea1492

ordinate1508

impose1582

japan1756

OE Riddle 80 4 Cwen mec hwilum hwitloccedu hond on legeð, eorles dohtor, þeah hio æþelu sy.

c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 4085 Ne funde he nonne swa kene mon þat hond him durste leggen [c1300 Otho legge] on.

c1300 Havelok (Laud) (1868) 994 Neuere more he him misdede, Ne hond on him with yuele leyde.

a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 4113 And ðine hondes ley him on, Sey him on ðin stede to gon.

1340 Ayenbite (1866) 41 Sacrilege is..huanne me layþ hand ine kueade ine clerk.

c1380 J. Wyclif Sel. Wks. III. 321 Alle þo þat leyn hond on fadir or modir in violence ben cursed of God and man.

a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Fairf. 14) l. 19393 On ham þai laide þaire hali hande & a quile ware praiande.

a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 122893 A! Ion..nan was worthier þan þou Hand to lai on suete iesu, To giue him þat hali sacrament.

1490 W. Caxton tr. Foure Sonnes of Aymon (1885) xxii. 479 It is trouth that X rybawdes cam here ryght now, and layd hande vpon me.

c1515 Ld. Berners tr. Bk. Duke Huon of Burdeux (1882–7) lviii. 199 Gerames..layd handes on him, as though he toke hym prysoner.

1549 R. Crowley Voyce Laste Trumpet sig. Aii If God haue laied his hande on the And made the low.

1569 R. Grafton Chron. II. 362 There was no great Ship on the Sea that the French men could lay theyr handes upon.

1606 G. W. tr. Trogus Pompeius Hist. Ivstine xliii. 135 By meanes whereof, the treason comming to light, the Ligurians were laide hand on.

1608 W. Shakespeare King Lear xx. 176 O here he is, lay hands vpon him sirs.

1662 Bk. Com. Prayer, Burial Dead (rubric) Or have laid violent hands upon themselves.

1726 W. R. Chetwood Voy. & Adventures Capt. R. Boyle 55 I loaded them with..any thing I could lay my Hands on.

1785 W. Cowper Task ii. 393 O ye mitred heads..lay not careless hands On skulls that cannot teach, and will not learn.

1860 C. Dickens Uncommerc. Traveller in All Year Round 21 July 351/2 Any object they think they can lay their thieving hands on.

1888 A. Jessopp Coming of Friars ii. 99 A mob..laid hands on a quantity of timber fit for building purposes, and took it away bodily.

1890 Guardian 29 Oct. 1693/3 The Government have laid hands on the last fraction of the sum reserved for the redemption of the public debt.

†d. to lay (a) hand: to assist, ‘lend’ a hand.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > easiness > aid, help, or assistance > aid, help, or assist [verb (intransitive)]

help?c1225

to shove at the cart1421

supply1446

assist?1518

to lend a hand (or a helping hand)1598

to hold handc1600

to put to one's hand (also hands)1603

seconda1609

subminister1611

to give (lend) a lift1622

to lay (a) hand1634

to give a hand1682

to bear a hand1710

to chip in1872

1634 T. Herbert Relation Some Yeares Trauaile 192 Happy is that man or child can lay a hand to help to draw it.

1645 E. Pagitt Heresiogr. 41 Alas our poore Church is oppressed, and who laiteh [sic] hand to help.

e. To apply (the tongue) to some kind of utterance.

ΚΠ

1893 Cornhill Mag. Nov. 516 His voice, though he so often laid it to vehement words, was distinctly pleasant.

f. to lay a finger on: see to lay a finger on at finger n. Phrases 4d. to lay one's finger on: see to lay one's finger on at finger n. Phrases 4f(a).

22. to lay hold (up)on, of: to take into one's grasp, to grasp, seize on (with material and immaterial object); to avail oneself of (a pretext).

ΘΚΠ

the mind > possession > taking > seizing > seize [verb (transitive)]

gripea900

afangOE

to lay hands (or hand) on or upon (also in, to)OE

repeOE

atfonga1000

keepc1000

fang1016

kip1297

seize1338

to seize on or upon1399

to grip toc1400

rapc1415

to rap and rendc1415

comprise1423

forsetc1430

grip1488

to put (one's) hand(s) on (also in, to, unto, upon)1495

compass1509

to catch hold1520

hap1528

to lay hold (up)on, of1535

seisin?c1550

cly1567

scratch1582

attach1590

asseizea1593

grasp1642

to grasp at1677

collar1728

smuss1736

get1763

pin1768

grabble1796

bag1818

puckerow1843

nobble1877

jump1882

snaffle1902

snag1962

pull1967

the world > movement > absence of movement > hold or holding > hold [verb (transitive)] > lay hold of or grasp

i-fangc888

gripc950

repeOE

befongOE

keepc1000

latchc1000

hentOE

begripec1175

becatchc1200

fang?c1200

i-gripea1225

warpa1225

fastenc1225

arepa1250

to set (one's) hand(s onc1290

kip1297

cleach?a1300

hendc1300

fasta1325

reachc1330

seizec1374

beclipc1380

takea1387

span1398

to seize on or upon1399

getc1440

handc1460

to catch hold1520

to take hold1530

to lay hold (up)on, of1535

grasple1553

to have by the backa1555

handfast1562

apprehend1572

grapple1582

to clap hold of1583

comprehend1584

graspa1586

attach1590

gripple1591

engrasp1593

clum1594

to seize of1600

begriple1607

fast hold1611

impalm1611

fista1616

to set (one's) hand to1638

to get one's hands on1649

the world > action or operation > advantage > be advantageous or beneficial to [verb (transitive)] > take advantage of

to take (the) advantagea1393

prosecute1594

to make boot of1606

to lay hold (up)on, ofa1715

to trade upon ——1832

to trade on ——1843

market1906

1535 Bible (Coverdale) Prov. iii. B She is a tre of life to them that laye holde vpon her.

1551 R. Robinson tr. T. More Vtopia sig. Qiii They layde holde on hym.

1579 S. Gosson Schoole of Abuse f. 36^v If he presume to enter our house,..we lay holde on his locks, turne him away with his backe ful of stripes.

1604 E. Grimeston tr. J. de Acosta Nat. & Morall Hist. Indies iv. vi. 221 Hee was forced to lay holde vpon a braunch.

1611 Bible (King James) Matt. xiv. 3.

1611 Bible (King James) 1 Tim. vi. 12.

1613 S. Purchas Pilgrimage 889 Stealing closely, or openly, any thing they could lay hold on.

1710 R. Steele Tatler No. 194. ⁋12 For offering in so rude a Manner to lay hold on a Virgin.

a1715 Bp. G. Burnet Hist. Own Time (1724) I. 245 Lady Dysert laid hold on his absence in Scotland to make a breach between them.

1715 J. Addison Spectator No. 556. ¶5 I laid hold of all Opportunities to exert it.

1726 Four Years Voy. Capt. G. Roberts 26 I was willing to lay hold of the Frieght offered, for fear his Sloop should come.

1836 F. Marryat Mr. Midshipman Easy I. xi. 163 So saying, the boatswain lays hold of the boy.

1870 R. Anderson Hist. Missions Amer. Board II. ix. 68 The natives..laid hold on the sailors.

1875 A. Helps Social Pressure ii. 24 There is no municipality which can lay hold of this land.

23. reflexive and intransitive. To apply oneself to; †to set oneself against.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > difficulty > opposition > oppose [verb (reflexive)]

opponea1522

lay1535

oppose1579

to breast oneself against (or to) something1810

the world > action or operation > manner of action > effort or exertion > exert oneself [verb (reflexive)]

afforcec1300

enforcec1386

virtuea1393

endeavourc1400

naitc1400

envirtue1477

exploit1490

to put it forthc1500

constrainc1510

efforce1512

lay1535

evirtuate1642

to exert oneself1736

hump1835

spread1843

to put about1983

society > education > learning > study > [verb (reflexive)]

lay1865

1535 Bible (Coverdale) 1 Sam. ii. 29 Why layest thou thy selfe then agaynst my sacrifices and meatofferinges?

1856 E. K. Kane Arctic Explor. II. xxix. 297 Not even after the death of the usuk did our men lay to their oars more heartily.

1865 T. Carlyle Hist. Friedrich II of Prussia V. xviii. xii. 295 When Friedrich laid himself to engineering, I observe, he did it well.

24. Military. To set (a gun, etc.) in the correct position for hitting a mark. Also absol.

ΘΚΠ

society > armed hostility > military equipment > operation and use of weapons > action of propelling missile > discharge of firearms > fire (a gun) [verb (transitive)] > aim (gun)

lay1480

dispart1578

train1795

1480 W. Caxton Chron. Eng. (1482) ccxliii. 290 Anone he leyd his ordynaunce and in the leyng of a gonne come a quarell and smote the good Erle Edmond in the hede.

1565 T. Cooper Thesaurus at Arcus Tendere aliquo arcum, to lay or leuell toward.

1859 F. A. Griffiths Artillerist's Man. (1862) 103 No 1 commands and lays.

1875 C. Clery Minor Tactics xi. 134 Not..so much by the distance the gun can carry, as by the accuracy with which it can be laid.

1883 Ld. Saltoun Scraps I. 224 A young officer of the line regiment asked to be allowed to lay the gun for that shot.

25.

a. To put into a condition (usually one of subjection, passivity, or exposure to view or danger: cf. the corresponding uses of lie v.¹ 8), which is expressed by an adjective complement, adverb, or adverbial phrase, as in to lay fallow, idle; to lay (land) dry, under water; to lay under necessity, obligation, difficulty, a command, etc. to lay bare: (a) to denude, remove the covering from; (b) to expose to view, reveal. †to lay in forbode: to prohibit the use of. †to lay to sight: to reveal, disclose. to lay under contribution: see contribution n. 1b. to lay in (also a) water: see water n. Phrases 2f. For lay open, waste, see the adjectives.

ΘΚΠ

the world > existence and causation > causation > [verb (transitive)] > bring (a person or thing) into a state or condition

set971

haveOE

wendOE

to bring onc1230

teemc1275

putc1330

run1391

casta1400

laya1400

stead1488

constitute1490

render1490

takea1530

introduce1532

deduce1545

throw?1548

derive?c1550

turn1577

to work up1591

estate1605

arrive1607

state1607

enduea1616

assert1638

sublime1654

to run up1657

society > authority > subjection > prohibition > prohibit [verb (transitive)] > proscribe or interdict

to lay in forbodea1400

outlawc1400

suspend1488

interdict1502

inhibita1513

proscribe1622

contraband1678

ban1816

red-line1958

society > communication > manifestation > disclosure or revelation > disclose or reveal [verb (transitive)]

unwryc825

unhelec1000

to draw forthc1175

unhillc1200

to bring forth?c1225

unsteekc1250

let witc1275

uncovera1300

wraya1300

knowc1300

barea1325

shrivec1374

unwrapc1374

again-covera1382

nakena1382

outc1390

tellc1390

disclosea1393

cough1393

unhidea1400

unclosec1400

unhaspc1400

bewrayc1405

reveal1409

accusea1413

reveil1424

unlocka1425

unrekec1425

disclude?1440

uncurec1440

utter1444

detect1447

break1463

expose1483

divinec1500

revelate1514

to bring (also put) to light1526

decipher1529

rake1547

rip1549

unshadow1550

to lay to sight1563

uppen1565

unlace1567

unvisor?1571

resign1572

uncloak1574

disshroud1577

spill1577

reap1578

unrip1579

scour1585

unharboura1586

unmask1586

uncase1587

descrya1591

unclasp?1592

unrive1592

discover1594

unburden1594

untomb1594

unhusk1596

dismask1598

to open upc1600

untruss1600

divulge1602

unshale1606

unbrace1607

unveil1609

rave1610

disveil1611

unface1611

unsecret1612

unvizard1620

to open up1624

uncurtain1628

unscreen1628

unbare1630

disenvelop1632

unclothe1632

to lay forth1633

unshroud1633

unmuffle1637

midwife1638

dissecret1640

unseal1640

unmantle1643

to fetch out1644

undisguise1655

disvelop1658

decorticate1660

clash1667

exert1692

disinter1711

to up with1715

unbundlea1739

develop1741

disembosom1745

to open out1814

to let out1833

unsack1846

uncrown1849

to bring (out) in (also into) the open1861

unfrock1866

disbosom1868

to blow the lid off1928

flush1950

surface1955

to take or pull the wraps off1964

the world > space > relative position > condition of being external > covering > uncovering > uncover or remove covering from [verb (transitive)] > uncover and expose

unwryc825

bareOE

unhelec1000

uncoverc1390

disclosea1393

to lay outa1400

unhidea1400

declose14..

unbare1530

discover1563

imbear1657

fleece1667

unfence1715

to lay bare1807

to open out1832

strip1839

expose1851

a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 765 Þe midward tre is vs outtan, Our lauerd in forbot has it laid.

1563 2nd Tome Homelyes Matrimony, in J. Griffiths Two Bks. Homilies (1859) ii. 513 Let him..never lay these matters to sight.

1695 J. Collier Misc. upon Moral Subj. 41 It lays him at the Mercy of Chance and Humour.

1736 T. Lediard Life Marlborough I. 156 He first laid the Country under Water.

1748 B. Robins & R. Walter Voy. round World by Anson ii. xii. 262 This laid us under a necessity of filling all our casks from the furthest part of the lake.

1748 Ld. Chesterfield Let. 18 Nov. (1932) (modernized text) IV. 1261 Which might..lay him under difficulties—both what to say and how to look.

1807 R. Wilson Jrnl. 2 July in Life Gen. Sir R. Wilson (1862) II. viii. 291 I rowed part of the way in the queen's boat, an exercise..of which my hands will long bear the marks, as they are laid bare over the whole of both palms.

1862 J. Tyndall Mountaineering in 1861 vi. 44 A space of comparatively dry clay was laid bare.

1873 C. M. Yonge Cameos cxvi, in Monthly Packet July 9 He was laid under orders to follow the commands of the Spanish king.

1897 Daily News 26 Feb. 7/3 Another workmen's train was stopped..many workmen being thus laid idle for the day.

b. to lay fast: to set fast, render unable to proceed or escape; †formerly, to put in fetters, imprison (also †to lay fast by the feet). Also to lay by the heels: see heel n.¹ and int. Phrases 2b.

ΘΚΠ

society > authority > subjection > restraint or restraining > restraint depriving of liberty > deprive of liberty by restraint [verb (transitive)]

at-hold?c1225

to hold inc1300

withholda1325

distrainc1340

restrain1397

stressa1425

detain1485

to lay fast1560

constrain1590

enstraiten1619

embinda1628

pin1738

coerce1780

deport1909

society > authority > subjection > restraint or restraining > restraint depriving of liberty > binding or fettering > bind, fetter, or shackle [verb (transitive)] > by the feet or legs

gyvec1290

fetterc1300

hopshackle?a1513

to lay (also set, clap, etc.) (a person) by the heels?1515

to lay fast by the feet1560

garter1604

enfetter1611

heela1638

1560 J. Daus tr. J. Sleidane Commentaries f. xlij^v [They] required that they might be layde faste by the feete.

1584 R. Scot Discouerie Witchcraft iii. xv. 65 One of Q. Maries iustices..laid an archer by the heeles.

1623 W. Lisle Apostles Dispersed in Ælfric's Saxon Treat. Then laid they his guide fast, that he might not any way escape by flight.

1677 T. Otway Cheats of Scapin i. i, in Titus & Berenice sig. F2^v I know how to lay that Rogue my Son fast.

1809 Q. Rev. Nov. 279 If we are laid fast by want of horses, or mutiny of drivers.

1889 A. Conan Doyle Micah Clarke xxxiv. 308 He had heard that you were laid by the heels.

c. Nautical. With adverb complement, as alongside, by the lee, etc. to lay aback (see quots. 1867, 1881).

ΘΚΠ

society > travel > travel by water > directing or managing a ship > use of sails, spars, or rigging > carry specific amount of sail [verb (transitive)] > trim sails > lay aback

to put aback1698

to back a yard1707

bagpipe1769

to lay aback1769

back-wind1899

1627 J. Smith Sea Gram. ix. 43 Lay the ship by the Lee to trie the Dipsie line.

1769 W. Falconer Universal Dict. Marine Transl. French Terms at Scier Mettre à scier,..to back the sails, or lay them aback, so as to make the ship fall astern.

1867 W. H. Smyth & E. Belcher Sailor's Word-bk. 69 To bagpipe the mizen is to lay it aback, by bringing the sheet to the mizen-shrouds.

1869 W. Longman Hist. Edward III I. xviii. 326 The King ordered his ship to be laid alongside a large Spaniard.

1881 L. R. Hamersly Naval Encycl. To lay a yard aback, is to brace it in such a way that the wind will blow against the forward side of the sail.

1891 Cornhill Mag. June 583 Lay her two courses to the wind.

d. Nautical. to lay (a ship) aboard: to manoeuvre one's own ship alongside (another) for the purpose of boarding or fighting. Also in extended use. So to lay close, to lay athwart the hawse.

ΘΚΠ

society > armed hostility > hostilities at sea > operations or manoeuvres > perform operation or manoeuvre [verb (transitive)] > come alongside to fight

to board withc1460

boarda1513

to lay (a ship) aboard1569

to clap (a vessel) aboard, on board1583

to lay (a ship) on board1677

to lay close1799

1569 T. Stocker tr. Diodorus Siculus Hist. Successors Alexander iii. viii. 115 It is difficile and harde to laye abord about the beake or forebough of a Gallie.

1588 Holy Bull & Crusade Rome 30 Nowe the Heretickes are layde aboorde, wherby men may perceiue that this good father is not bent against the Turks, but onely against those which will not acknowledge him.

1589 Voy. W. Towrson in R. Hakluyt Princ. Navigations i. 99 We manned out our Skiffe in like case to laye him aboorde.

a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 2 (1623) iv. i. 26 I lost mine eye in laying the prize aboord.

1631 B. Jonson Bartholmew Fayre iii. ii. 35 in Wks. II Now were a fine time for thee, Win-wife, to lay aboard thy widdow.

a1641 T. Heywood & W. Rowley Fortune by Land & Sea (1655) iv. 416 Shall we grapple, and lay their Ship aboard?

1669 S. Sturmy Mariners Mag. i. 19 That if we should be laid aboard, we might clear our Decks.

1707 London Gaz. No. 4369/3 The Sloop soon laid her aboard.

1731 W. Wriglesworth MS. Log-bk. of ‘Lyell’ 2 July A Collier lay'd us athwart the Hawse, and broke our Flying Jib Boom [etc.].

1739 Encour. Sea-f. People 39 The Superbe putting for it to lay the Admiral aboard, fell on his Weather Quarter.

1799 Ld. Nelson Let. 9 Feb. in Dispatches & Lett. (1845) III. 260 Lay a Frenchman close, and you will beat him.

1815 W. Scott Lord of Isles v. xxiv. 205 A bark from Lorn Laid them aboard that very morn.

1883 R. L. Stevenson Treasure Island ii. xi. 90 Why, how many tall ships, think ye, now, have I seen laid aboard?

1886 R. L. Stevenson Kidnapped xi. 99 We may meet in with a king's ship and she may lay us aboard, sir, with no blame of mine.

1909 Chatterbox 18/2 The San Philip laid the Revenge aboard, side by side, and poured a broadside into her.

†e. To bring home to. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > knowledge, what is known > familiarity > be or become conversant [verb (intransitive)] > make aware of

lay1709

1709 R. Steele Tatler No. 71. ⁋1 Such a Tract as shall lay Gaming home to the Bosoms of all who love..their Families.

IV. To present, put forward (cf. to lay … before at sense 17).

26.

a. To put forward, allege (a claim, †reason, †excuse, †example, etc.): often with clause as object.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > testing > debate, disputation, argument > putting forward for discussion > put forward [verb (transitive)]

laya1387

proposea1398

stirc1400

move1452

propound?1531

broach1579

start1579

moot1685

to set up1697

argument1747

a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1874) V. 57 He leieþ [v.r. leiþ] for hym þe vers of þe sawter, ‘God schal nouȝt be wrooþ for everemore’.

1481 W. Caxton tr. Myrrour of Worlde iii. xxiv. 193 I leye for myn excuse, that I haue to my power folowed my copye.

1481 E. Paston in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) I. 640 My huswyffe trustythe to ley to ȝow here huswyferey fore here excuse.

1491 Act 7 Hen. VII c. 2 §1 Courtes where the seid proteccions shalbe pleded or leyed for any of the seid persons.

1529 T. More Dialogue Heresyes iii, in Wks. 211/1 Many a witnesse was there to whom he layd none exception.

a1533 Ld. Berners tr. A. de Guevara Golden Bk. M. Aurelius (1546) sig. F.iij We muste not lay excuses.

a1535 T. More Hist. Richard III in Wks. (1557) 60/2 When he had laid for the proofe & confirmacion of this sentence,..ensamples taken out of the olde testament.

?c1535 L. Cox Arte Rhethorycke (new ed.) sig. Evii He layeth for hym that his mothers abhominable iniury constrayned hym thereto.

a1540 R. Barnes Wks. (1573) 345/1 The Priests layd that they were best worthy.

1562 Apol. Priuate Masse 4 b If you haue no scriptures to lay for you, then trouble our mother the holy catholike churche no longer.

1595 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 3 i. i. 153 Plantagenet for all the claime thou laist [1623 lay'st], Thinke not king Henry shall be thus deposde.

1601 R. Johnson tr. G. Botero Trauellers Breuiat 137 These are the reasons which I meant to lay.

1647 A. Cowley Written in Juice of Lemon in Mistress vii And to her Hand lay noble claim.

1847 F. Marryat Children of New Forest II. xii. 273 I prevented it being given to any other, by laying claim to it myself.

b. To present (an information, indictment) in legal form.

ΘΚΠ

society > law > administration of justice > court proceedings or procedure > [verb (transitive)] > lay before court

leadc825

presenta1325

pursue1384

propone1400

to put in1447

enterc1503

table1504

to bring in1602

deduce1612

lodge1708

lay1798

to bring up1823

1798 E. H. Bay Rep. Cases Superior Courts S.-Carolina 245 In an indictment for manslaughter, it is necessary to lay it to have been done voluntarily.

1838 C. Dickens Oliver Twist III. li. 311 The gentleman being accommodated with threepennyworth of brandy to restore her, lays an information next day, and pockets half the penalty.

1870 J. E. T. Rogers Hist. Gleanings 2nd Ser. 162 Information having been laid that he had forsworn himself.

1891 Standard 8 Apr. 5/1 Anyone,..whether personally aggrieved or not, may lay an information.

c. †(a) To assign (a date). (b) Law. To state or describe as; to fix (damages) at a certain amount.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > language > statement > state or declare [verb (transitive)] > describe or state as

lay1770

c1440 J. Capgrave Life St. Katherine v. 1699 The day of her deth eke ful fayre he leyth Of nouembre moneth.

1770 S. Foote Lame Lover ii. 36 The field..is laid in the indictment as round.

1820 J. Gifford Compl. Eng. Lawyer ii. 248 The time of the death must be laid within a year and a day after the mortal stroke was given.

1820 J. Gifford Compl. Eng. Lawyer ii. 248 The facts must be laid to be done treasonably, and against his allegiance.

1891 Athenæum 7 Mar. 306/1 He laid his damages at 20,000l.; the arbitrators gave him one farthing.

†d. To expound, set forth, lay open. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

society > communication > manifestation > [verb (transitive)]

uppec897

atewOE

sutelec1000

openOE

awnc1175

kithec1175

forthteec1200

tawnec1220

let witc1275

forthshowa1300

to pilt out?a1300

showa1300

barea1325

mythc1330

unfoldc1374

to open outc1390

assign1398

mustera1400

reyve?a1400

vouchc1400

manifest?a1425

outshowc1425

ostendc1429

explayc1443

objecta1500

reveala1500

patefy?1509

decipher1529

relieve1533

to set outa1540

utter1542

report1548

unbuckle1548

to set forth1551

demonstrate1553

to hold forth1560

testify1560

explicate1565

forthsetc1565

to give show of1567

denudec1572

exhibit1573

apparent1577

display?1578

carry1580

cipher1583

laya1586

foreshow1590

uncloud?1594

vision1594

explain1597

proclaim1597

unroll1598

discloud1600

remonstrate1601

resent1602

to bring out1608

palesate1613

pronounce1615

to speak out1623

elicit1641

confess1646

bear1657

breathe1667

outplay1702

to throw out1741

evolve1744

announce1781

develop1806

exfoliate1808

evince1829

exposit1882

pack1925

a1586 Sir P. Sidney Arcadia (1590) i. iv. sig. C8^v And yet thus much I wil say for my selfe, that I haue not laid these matters, either so openly, or largely to any as your selfe.

†e. intransitive. To give information, tell. Obsolete. rare.

ΘΚΠ

society > communication > information > action of informing > give information [verb (intransitive)]

meanOE

telllOE

to make reportc1425

wrayc1425

wrobc1425

lay1488

inform1569

intelligence1616

advertise1764

1488 (c1478) Hary Actis & Deidis Schir William Wallace (Adv.) (1968–9) vii. l. 31 To lord Persye off this mater thai laid.

27.

a. To bring forward as a charge, accusation, or imputation; to impute, attribute, ascribe (something objectionable). Const. to, †unto, †against, †in, on. ? archaic.

ΘΚΠ

the world > existence and causation > causation > attribution or assignment of cause > assign to a cause [verb (transitive)]

titleOE

aretc1340

witena1375

witnea1375

reta1382

depute1382

wite1382

seta1387

layc1425

expoundc1430

imputec1480

attribue1481

assign1489

reckon1526

attribute1530

count1535

allot?1556

draw1578

object1613

prefer1628

entitle1629

implya1641

to score (something) on1645

intitule1651

put1722

to put down1723

charge1737

own1740

place1802

to set down1822

affiliate1823

the mind > attention and judgement > testing > accusation, charge > accuse [verb (transitive)] > lay to one's charge, impute

witec893

challenge1297

weena1300

to bear upon —c1300

likenc1400

layc1425

to put upa1438

object1447

establish1483

impose1484

reproach1490

annotea1513

lade1535

appoint1553

burden1559

clap1609

to charge (a fault, etc.) on, upon, against (a person)1611

upcast1825

the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > hostile action or attack > make an attack upon [verb (transitive)]

assail?c1225

to set on ——c1290

saila1300

to turn one's handc1325

lashc1330

to set against ——c1330

impugnc1384

offendc1385

weighc1386

checka1400

to lay at?a1400

havec1400

to set at ——c1430

fraya1440

rehetea1450

besail1460

fray1465

tuilyie1487

assaulta1500

enterprise?1510

invade1513

sturt1513

attempt1546

lay1580

tilt1589

to fall aboard——1593

yoke1596

to let into1598

to fall foul1602

attack1655

do1780

to go in at1812

to pitch into ——1823

tackle1828

vampire1832

bushwhack1837

to go for ——1838

take1864

pile1867

volcano1867

to set about ——1879

vampirize1888

to get stuck into1910

to take to ——1911

weigh1941

rugby-tackle1967

rugger-tackle1967

c1425 J. Lydgate Assembly of Gods 208 Thow mayst be dismayde To here so gret compleyntes ayene the layde.

1473 J. Warkworth Chron. (Camden) 5 There was leyde to him hye tresone.

?1515 Hyckescorner (de Worde) sig. C.iii^v They sayd I was a thefe and layd felony vpon me.

a1533 Ld. Berners tr. A. de Guevara Golden Bk. M. Aurelius (1546) sig. C.viij^v Lette no man..lay against the goddes, that they be cruell.

1580 Sir P. Sidney tr. Psalmes David xxxv. v Who did me wrong against me wittnesse beare, Laying such things as never in me were.

1597 T. Morley Plaine & Easie Introd. Musicke 76 These objections which you laie against me.

1611 Bible (King James) Job xxiv. 12 God layeth not folly to them.

1690 A. Wood Life 25 July E. G. with child, layd on the tapster.

1749 H. Fielding Tom Jones I. i. iii. 14 I'll warrant 'tis not her first [illegitimate child], by her Impudence in laying it to your Worship.

1795–7 R. Southey Juvenile & Minor Poems in Poet. Wks. II. 236 That..you should lay to me Unkind neglect.

1861 Temple Bar May 247 This was laid to her overweening pride.

1874 G. W. Dasent Half a Life III. 288 He had of course to lay his sleeplessness on something, and so he laid it on the lobster salad.

1890 Temple Bar Oct. 296 I laid the theft on Bastonjee.

b. to lay to (a person's) charge, to lay at or to (his) door, †to lay in (his) dish, †to lay in (his) neck: to impute to, charge upon. Also to lay to one's credit, reproach, etc. (See also the nouns.)

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > testing > accusation, charge > make accusation [phrase]

to bear (a person or thing) in (also an, a, on) handc1300

to lay the blame on1393

to give the wrong to?1473

to lay in (his) neckc1515

to cast (any one) in the teeth1526

to cast (a thing) in one's teeth1526

to lay to (also cast in) a person's nose1526

to dash one in the teeth with (something)1530

call to or in coram1542

to cast (also lay, throw) (something) in one's dish1551

to throw (cast) a stone or stones (at)1568

to cast up1604

to nail to the barn door1894

the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > disapproval > reproach > [verb (transitive)] > reproach with

upbraida1250

undernimc1320

to lay to one's credit, reproachc1515

to cast (a thing) in one's teeth1526

to twit (a person) in the teeth1530

to hit (one) in the teeth with1535

to cast (also lay, throw) (something) in one's dish1551

to fling (anything) in one's teeth1587

to throw (thrust, fling, (etc.)) (something) in a person's face1597

to tit (a person) in the teeth1622

nose1625

exprobrate1630

puta1663

c1515 Ld. Berners tr. Bk. Duke Huon of Burdeux (1882–7) xxxiii. 102 It shall neuer be layde to my reproche.

1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 603/1 Wyll you laye thefte to his charge, and have no better a grounde?

1534 Bible (Tyndale rev. Joye) Acts vii. 60 Lorde laye not this synne to their charge.

1551 R. Robinson tr. T. More Vtopia i. sig. Qiii The wickedness and follye of others shalbe imputed to hym, and layde in his nekke.

1551 T. Wilson Rule of Reason sig. P vj When wee charge hym, with a like faute, and laye some greater matter in his dishe.

1681 H. More Plain Expos. Daniel 195 The Pontifician Party have no reason to lay such things in the dish of the Reformed.

1701 W. Wotton Hist. Rome 299 The Blood..must all be layd to his door.

1722 W. Sewel Hist. Quakers (1795) I. 8 Under the bloody reign of Queen Mary, this was laid in his dish.

1749 H. Fielding Tom Jones I. i. vii. 34 You have, in a manner, laid your Sins at my Door.

1823 W. Scott St. Ronan's Well II. x. 254 Do not force a broken-hearted sister to lay her death at your door.

1885 C. L. Pirkis Lady Lovelace II. xxii. 53 You..laid his death to my charge.

1892 Blackwood's Edinb. Mag. 151 156/2 This..must be laid to the credit of the Tories.

V. To impose as a burden.

28.

a. To impose (a penalty, command, obligation, burden, tax, etc.). Const. on, upon, (†to). (See also load n.)

ΘΚΠ

society > authority > command > command or bidding > command [verb (transitive)] > impose

setc888

layOE

to lay on11..

enjoin?c1225

join1303

adjoina1325

cark1330

taxa1375

puta1382

impose1581

aggravate1583

fasten1585

clap1609

levy1863

octroy1865

OE Guthlac A 713 He mec of heofonum hider onsende, geseah þæt ge on eorðan fore æfstum on his wergengan wite legdon.

11.. Anglo-Saxon Chron. (Laud) 1064 Hi lægdon ærende on hine to þam cynge Eadwarde.

11.. Anglo-Saxon Chron. anno 1137 Hi læiden gæildes on the tunes.

?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 256 Þe Preost ne þarf..leggen oðer schrift on ow.

c1380 J. Wyclif Wks. (1880) 336 It were as myche nede to leye now as myche penaunce to summe, as [etc.].

a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 18455 Sant michael for-bot on us laid.

1423 Kingis Quair cxx Thus sall on the my charge bene Ilaid.

a1513 W. Dunbar Poems (1998) I. 172 On Fredome is led foirfalture.

c1515 Ld. Berners tr. Bk. Duke Huon of Burdeux (1882–7) lxx. 240 You knowe the payne that I layde on your hedes yf Huon dyd not accomplysshe my message.

1557 Bible (Whittingham) 1 Cor. ix. 16 For necessitie is layd vpon me [Gk. ἀνάγκη γάρ μοι ἐπίκειται], and wo is it vnto me, yf I preache not the Gospel.

1590 ‘Pasquil’ First Pt. Pasquils Apol. sig. C iij^v People may not looke to lay all vppon the Parsons shoulders.

1621 H. Elsynge Notes Deb. House of Lords (1870) 66 Yf..the delinquent is worthy of a greate punishment; but, the question is, by whom yt is to be layed?

1662 E. Stillingfleet Origines Sacræ ii. vi. §6 We are not to think that an Oath layes any greater obligation upon God for performance, then the meer declaration of his will.

1697 J. Potter Archæologiæ Græcæ I. i. xxi. 113 If a pecuniary Mulct was laid upon him.

1781 D. Williams tr. Voltaire Dramatic Wks. II. 103 Once only do I mean to lay my commands upon you.

1790 T. Jefferson Writings (1859) III. 153 The improbability that Congress would ever lay taxes where the States could do it separately.

1845 J. R. McCulloch Treat. Taxation ii. xii. 334 An additional duty..was laid on windows.

1855 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. IV. xxi. 554 Northumberland strictly obeyed the injunction which had been laid on him.

1870 J. E. T. Rogers Hist. Gleanings 2nd Ser. 195 The burden of proof being laid on the accused person.

1872 C. M. Yonge Cameos cix, in Monthly Packet Mar. 233 Severe fines were laid on all the villages.

1885 ‘E. F. Byrrne’ Entangled II. ii. viii. 265 The dead mother has laid it upon you to find it.

†b. To quarter (soldiers) on or upon. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

society > armed hostility > military organization > logistics > quartering > quarter (troops) [verb (transitive)] > on someone

harbourc1330

cess1612

lay1612

quarter1649

1612 J. Davies Discouerie Causes Ireland 58 The souldiers for want of pay were sessed and laide vppon the subiects against their willes.

1669 Ormonde MSS in 10th Rep. Royal Comm. Hist. MSS (1885) App. v. 102 Wee require the souldiers..to draw off from the petitioner and his tenants, and..to..shew by what authority..they are layd uppon them.

1669 Ormonde MSS in 10th Rep. Royal Comm. Hist. MSS (1885) App. v. 102 It not being lawfull to lay souldiers on any persons.

†c. To assess, rate, tax (a person). Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

society > trade and finance > fees and taxes > impost, due, or tax > tax > taxation > levy (a tax) [verb (transitive)] > tax (a person or thing)

layc1330

tailc1330

taxc1330

scot1432

patise1436

sess1465

task1483

assessa1513

cessa1513

lot1543

toust1565

imposea1618

talliate1762

c1330 R. Mannyng Chron. (1810) 261 Marchaunt & burgeis to þe sext be laid.

1467 in J. T. Smith & L. T. Smith Eng. Gilds (1870) 387 What persone that refuseth to paye, at that tyme as he ys assessed or leyd, shal paye to the comen cofre xl.d.

1707 in J. A. Picton City of Liverpool: Select. Munic. Rec. (1886) II. 45 He is still lay'd and tax'd for it.

1712 H. Prideaux Direct. Church-wardens (ed. 4) 47 The Lands, in respect of which he is lay'd, are out of the Parish.

29. To cast (blame, †aspersions, †ridicule) on or upon; also const. †in, †to.

ΘΚΠ

the world > existence and causation > causation > attribution or assignment of cause > assign to a cause [verb (transitive)] > attribute something to someone > put upon or ascribe to someone

fastOE

lay13..

fastenc1390

redound1477

impinge1535

thank1560

stick1607

patronize1626

fix1665

13.. K. Alis. 1553 ‘Byschop,’ he saide, ‘there is a sclaunder, Y-layd on me kyng Alisaunder’.

c1330 Spec. Gy Warw. 592 Many a skorn [was] on him leid [v.r. Ileide].

1390 J. Gower Confessio Amantis I. 76 The blame upon the duke they laide.

1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 602/2 Why lay you the blame of this faute to me?

1545 R. Ascham Toxophilus i. f. 4 The fault is not to be layed in the thyng whiche was worthie to be written vpon.

1560 J. Daus tr. J. Sleidane Commentaries f. ccxliiij Yf any man shulde lay the blame in vs.

1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene iii. i. sig. Bb6^v And laid the blame, not to his carriage, But to his starting steed, that swaru'd asyde.

1647 T. May Hist. Parl. i. i. 14 A declaration..wherein aspertions were laid vpon some members.

1676 C. Hatton in E. M. Thompson Corr. Family of Hatton (1878) I. 130 All y^e blame wase layd on y^e wine and he pardoned.

1819 W. Irving Rip Van Winkle in Sketch Bk. i. 62 The good wives of the village..never failed..to lay all the blame on Dame van Winkle.

30. to lay stress, weight, emphasis on or upon: to emphasize, bring into special prominence, attach great importance to.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > importance > [verb (transitive)] > attach importance to > render outstanding

aggravate1549

accent1595

to lay weight upon1600

emphase1631

circumflect1643

to lay (also place, put) stress on (also upon)1653

to set home1656

forestall1657

circumflex1661

signalize1698

to lay stress, weight, emphasis on or upon1748

emphasize1793

accentuate1817

stress1845

to rub in1851

to draw out1855

underline1880

punctuate1883

peak1887

underscore1891

to point up1926

1666 S. Pepys Diary 3 July (1972) VII. 192 The House doth not lay much weight upon him or anything he says.

1676 J. Glanvill Ess. vii. 33 They doated upon little, needless, foolish things, and lay'd a great stress of Religion upon them.

1686 A. Horneck Crucified Jesus viii. 136 The Greek Church to this day lays the stress of consecration upon the prayer of the Holy Ghost.

1700 J. Wallis in C. R. L. Fletcher Collectanea (1885) I. 327 He seems to lay weight on this.

1748 J. Mason Ess. Elocution 26 To see that it [the Emphasis] be always laid on the emphatical Word.

1795 L. Murray Eng. Gram. 154 On whichever word we lay the emphasis..it strikes out a different sense.

1845 J. R. McCulloch Treat. Taxation ii. vii. 296 The only objection..on which any stress can be fairly laid.

1890 T. F. Tout in F. Y. Powell et al. Hist. Eng. III. 234 The great teachers laid all the stress on dogma.

31. To bring (a stick, etc.) down upon; to inflict (blows). Also to lay it on (literal and figurative).

ΘΚΠ

society > armed hostility > military equipment > operation and use of weapons > use or wield (a weapon) [verb (transitive)]

wieldOE

swipc1275

layc1330

fall1597

ground?1650

the world > movement > impact > striking > strike [verb (transitive)] > deal or give (a stroke or blow)

setc1300

smitec1300

layc1330

drivec1380

slentc1380

hit?a1400

to lay ona1400

reacha1400

fetchc1400

depart1477

warpc1480

throw1488

lenda1500

serve1561

wherret1599

senda1627

lunge1735

to lay in1809

wreak1817

to get in1834

the world > movement > impact > striking > striking with specific thing > strike with specific thing [verb (transitive)] > deliver a blow with

layc1330

strike1548

c1330 (?a1300) Guy of Warwick (Auch.) p. 422 & we leyd on hem dintes grete.

1399 W. Langland Richard Redeles iii. 338 They leid on þi leigis, Richard, lasshis y-now.

a1513 W. Dunbar Poems (1998) I. 221 Thane is thair laid on me ane quhip.

1568 Christis Kirk on Grene in W. T. Ritchie Bannatyne MS (1928) II. 265 The reird raiss rudly w^t the rappis quhen rungis wes layd on riggis.

a1616 W. Shakespeare Julius Caesar (1623) iv. ii. 319 Layest thou thy Leaden Mace vpon my Boy?

1833 T. B. Macaulay in Life & Lett. (1880) I. 337 I have laid it on Walpole..unsparingly.

1879 J. A. Froude Cæsar xx. 338 What if my son wishes to lay a stick on my back?

32. absol. and intransitive. To deal blows; to make an attack. Chiefly in phraseological expressions with prepositions.

a. to lay on or upon: to attack vigorously, to beat soundly. (See also to lay on at Phrasal verbs.)

ΘΚΠ

society > armed hostility > attack > attack [verb (transitive)]

greetc893

overfallOE

riseOE

assail?c1225

to lay on or upon?c1225

onseekc1275

to set on ——c1290

infighta1300

saila1300

to go upon ——c1300

to turn one's handc1325

lashc1330

annoyc1380

impugnc1384

offendc1385

to fall on ——a1387

sault1387

affrayc1390

to set upon ——1390

to fall upon ——a1398

to lay at?a1400

semblea1400

assayc1400

havec1400

aset1413

oppressa1425

attachc1425

to set at ——c1430

fraya1440

fray1465

oppugn?a1475

sayc1475

envaye1477

pursue1488

envahisshe1489

assaulta1500

to lay to, untoa1500

requirea1500

enterprise?1510

invade1513

assemblec1515

expugn1530

to fare on1535

to fall into ——1550

mount1568

attack?1576

affront1579

invest1598

canvass1599

to take arms1604

attempt1605

to make force at, to, upon1607

salute1609

offence1614

strikea1616

to give a lift at1622

to get at ——1650

insult1697

to walk into ——1794

to go in at1812

to go for ——1838

to light on ——1842

strafe1915

society > authority > punishment > corporal punishment > administer corporal punishment [verb (transitive)] > beat

threshOE

beatc1000

to lay on?c1225

chastise1362

rapa1400

dressc1405

lack?c1475

paya1500

currya1529

coil1530

cuff1530

baste1533

thwack1533

lick1535

firka1566

trounce1568

fight1570

course1585

bumfeage1589

feague1589

lamback1589

lambskin1589

tickle1592

thrash1593

lam1595

bumfeagle1598

comb1600

fer1600

linge1600

taw1600

tew1600

thrum1604

feeze1612

verberate1614

fly-flap1620

tabor1624

lambaste1637

feak1652

flog1676

to tan (a person's) hide1679

slipper1682

liquora1689

curry-comb1708

whack1721

rump1735

screenge1787

whale1790

lather1797

tat1819

tease1819

larrup1823

warm1824

haze1825

to put (a person) through a course of sprouts1839

flake1841

swish1856

hide1875

triangle1879

to give (a person or thing) gyp1887

soak1892

to loosen (a person's) hide1902

the world > movement > impact > striking > beating or repeated striking > beat [verb (transitive)] > specifically a person

to-beatc893

threshOE

bustc1225

to lay on or upon?c1225

berrya1250

to-bunea1250

touchc1330

arrayc1380

byfrapc1380

boxc1390

swinga1400

forbeatc1420

peal?a1425

routa1425

noddlea1450

forslinger1481

wipe1523

trima1529

baste1533

waulk1533

slip1535

peppera1550

bethwack1555

kembc1566

to beat (a person) black and blue1568

beswinge1568

paik1568

trounce1568

canvass1573

swaddle?1577

bebaste1582

besoop1589

bumfeage1589

dry-beat1589

feague1589

lamback1589

clapperclaw1590

thrash1593

belam1595

lam1595

beswaddle1598

bumfeagle1598

belabour1600

tew1600

flesh-baste1611

dust1612

feeze1612

mill1612

verberate1614

bethumpa1616

rebuke1619

bemaul1620

tabor1624

maula1627

batterfang1630

dry-baste1630

lambaste1637

thunder-thump1637

cullis1639

dry-banga1640

nuddle1640

sauce1651

feak1652

cotton1654

fustigate1656

brush1665

squab1668

raddle1677

to tan (a person's) hide1679

slam1691

bebump1694

to give (a person) his load1694

fag1699

towel1705

to kick a person's butt1741

fum1790

devel1807

bray1808

to beat (also scare, etc.) someone's daylights out1813

mug1818

to knock (a person) into the middle of next week1821

welt1823

hidea1825

slate1825

targe1825

wallop1825

pounce1827

to lay into1838

flake1841

muzzle1843

paste1846

looder1850

frail1851

snake1859

fettle1863

to do over1866

jacket1875

to knock seven kinds of —— out of (a person)1877

to take apart1880

splatter1881

to beat (knock, etc.) the tar out of1884

to —— the shit out of (a person or thing)1886

to do up1887

to —— (the) hell out of1887

to beat — bells out of a person1890

soak1892

to punch out1893

stoush1893

to work over1903

to beat up1907

to punch up1907

cream1929

shellac1930

to —— the bejesus out of (a person or thing)1931

duff1943

clobber1944

to fill in1948

to bash up1954

to —— seven shades of —— out of (a person or thing)1976

to —— seven shades out of (a person or thing)1983

beast1990

becurry-

fan-

?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 215 Wið þe halirode stef þet him is laðest cuggel lei onþe dogge deouel.

c1305 Edmund Conf. 112 in Early Eng. Poems & Lives Saints (1862) 74 And euere seide þis holi man as he leide on hire faste Maide þu schalt lurny þus awei forto caste Þi fole wil of þi flesch.

c1330 Arth. & Merl. 4046 (Kölbing) Ich on oþer gan to legge.

1480 W. Caxton Chron. Eng. lxii. 46 The whyte dragon egrely assaylled the reede and layd on hym so strongly that [etc.].

a1500 (a1460) Towneley Plays (1994) I. xvi. 200 Ther was none that I spard, Bot lade on and dang them.

1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection iii. sig. UUUi They layde on hym with their fystes & other wepyns.

1590 E. Webbe Rare & Wonderfull Things (new ed.) sig. B2 The Turkes would laie vpon them as vpon Horses, and beate them in such sort, as oft times they died.

c1610–15 tr. St. Ambrose Life St. Agnes in C. Horstmann Lives Women Saints (1886) 146 He layeth on her with threates.

1640 tr. G. S. du Verdier Love & Armes Greeke Princes i. x. 36 They laid upon one another with such fury, as [etc.].

1758 O. Goldsmith tr. J. Marteilhe Mem. Protestant II. 10 Rascal! replied the Tyrant, give me the Stick; and taking it in his Hand..with the most inhuman Barbarity he laid on the unresisting Slave.

1814 R. Southey Roderick xxv Laying on the Moors with that good sword.

†b. to lay to, unto: to assault, attack, press hard (literal and figurative). Also to lay home, hard, hardly to. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

society > armed hostility > attack > attack [verb (transitive)]

greetc893

overfallOE

riseOE

assail?c1225

to lay on or upon?c1225

onseekc1275

to set on ——c1290

infighta1300

saila1300

to go upon ——c1300

to turn one's handc1325

lashc1330

annoyc1380

impugnc1384

offendc1385

to fall on ——a1387

sault1387

affrayc1390

to set upon ——1390

to fall upon ——a1398

to lay at?a1400

semblea1400

assayc1400

havec1400

aset1413

oppressa1425

attachc1425

to set at ——c1430

fraya1440

fray1465

oppugn?a1475

sayc1475

envaye1477

pursue1488

envahisshe1489

assaulta1500

to lay to, untoa1500

requirea1500

enterprise?1510

invade1513

assemblec1515

expugn1530

to fare on1535

to fall into ——1550

mount1568

attack?1576

affront1579

invest1598

canvass1599

to take arms1604

attempt1605

to make force at, to, upon1607

salute1609

offence1614

strikea1616

to give a lift at1622

to get at ——1650

insult1697

to walk into ——1794

to go in at1812

to go for ——1838

to light on ——1842

strafe1915

the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > hostile action or attack > make an attack upon [verb (transitive)] > attack with hostile words or measures

fangc1320

hurtlec1374

impugnc1384

weighc1386

to fall upon ——a1398

to start on ——a1398

oppugn?1435

to lay to, untoa1500

onseta1522

wipe1523

to set against ——1542

to fall aboard——1593

aggress1596

to fall foul1602

attack1613

appugn1615

to set upon ——1639

to fall on ——1641

to lay home, hard, hardly to1650

tack1720

bombard1766

savage1796

to pitch into ——1823

to begin upon a personc1825

bulldog1842

to down on (also upon)a1848

to set at ——1849

to start on ——a1851

to start in on1859

set on at or to1862

to let into1872

to go for ——1890

swash1890

slog1891

to get at ——1893

tee1955

society > society and the community > kinship or relationship > marriage or wedlock > seeking marriage > seek in marriage [verb (transitive)] > court or woo > vigorously

to lay home, hard, hardly to1581

a1500 (?c1400) Sir Triamour (Cambr.) (1937) l. 1073 All the Fosters to hym cvn lay Wyth sterne worde and mode.

1557 Bible (Whittingham) Mark xiv. 68 (note) Peter prepareth him selfe to flee if he were farther layd vnto.

1581 B. Rich Farewell Militarie Profession G iv b The Marchaunt..with greate importunitie requested her in the waie of mariage, and so hardly he laied vnto her, that [etc.].

1603 R. Knolles Gen. Hist. Turkes 19 The war was againe begun, and the citie more hardly laid vnto than before.

1604 W. Shakespeare Hamlet iii. iv. 1 Looke you lay home to him.

1623 J. Bingham tr. Xenophon Hist. 109 At this instant they were assaulted, and hardly laid vnto vpon the hill.

1650 J. Trapp Clavis to Bible (Gen. xlii. 14) 329 He lays it hard to them still: As who should say, the longer I hear you, the worse I like you.

1720 D. Defoe Mem. Cavalier 302 I found my Major hard layed to, but fighting like a Lion.

c. to lay at: to aim blows or an attack at; to strike at; to attack, assail (literal and figurative). In 15–18th centuries often in indirect passive. Now chiefly dialect.

ΘΚΠ

society > armed hostility > attack > attack [verb (transitive)]

greetc893

overfallOE

riseOE

assail?c1225

to lay on or upon?c1225

onseekc1275

to set on ——c1290

infighta1300

saila1300

to go upon ——c1300

to turn one's handc1325

lashc1330

annoyc1380

impugnc1384

offendc1385

to fall on ——a1387

sault1387

affrayc1390

to set upon ——1390

to fall upon ——a1398

to lay at?a1400

semblea1400

assayc1400

havec1400

aset1413

oppressa1425

attachc1425

to set at ——c1430

fraya1440

fray1465

oppugn?a1475

sayc1475

envaye1477

pursue1488

envahisshe1489

assaulta1500

to lay to, untoa1500

requirea1500

enterprise?1510

invade1513

assemblec1515

expugn1530

to fare on1535

to fall into ——1550

mount1568

attack?1576

affront1579

invest1598

canvass1599

to take arms1604

attempt1605

to make force at, to, upon1607

salute1609

offence1614

strikea1616

to give a lift at1622

to get at ——1650

insult1697

to walk into ——1794

to go in at1812

to go for ——1838

to light on ——1842

strafe1915

the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > hostile action or attack > make an attack upon [verb (transitive)]

assail?c1225

to set on ——c1290

saila1300

to turn one's handc1325

lashc1330

to set against ——c1330

impugnc1384

offendc1385

weighc1386

checka1400

to lay at?a1400

havec1400

to set at ——c1430

fraya1440

rehetea1450

besail1460

fray1465

tuilyie1487

assaulta1500

enterprise?1510

invade1513

sturt1513

attempt1546

lay1580

tilt1589

to fall aboard——1593

yoke1596

to let into1598

to fall foul1602

attack1655

do1780

to go in at1812

to pitch into ——1823

tackle1828

vampire1832

bushwhack1837

to go for ——1838

take1864

pile1867

volcano1867

to set about ——1879

vampirize1888

to get stuck into1910

to take to ——1911

weigh1941

rugby-tackle1967

rugger-tackle1967

the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > hostile action or attack > make an attack upon [verb (transitive)] > attack (of hostile agency)

besetOE

infighta1300

saila1300

seeka1300

visitc1340

beclipc1380

entainc1380

seizec1381

offendc1385

affectc1425

rehetea1450

take1483

attaintc1534

prevent1535

attach1541

attempt1546

affront1579

buffeta1593

to get at ——1650

assault1667

insult1697

to lay at1899

?a1400 Arth. & Merl. 2464 (Kölbing) A 100 Sarazens..All att once att him layd.

1440 J. Shirley Cron. Dethe James Stewarde (1818) 16 The traitours..laid at the chaumbur dors..with levours and with axes.

1548 N. Udall et al. tr. Erasmus Paraphr. Newe Test. I. Matt. xii. 74 I am layed at with deadly deceytes.

1561 T. Hoby tr. B. Castiglione Courtyer iv. sig. Uv.ii The beautiful women haue alwaies more suyters, and be more instantlye laide at in loue [It. sono piu..sollicitate d'amor], then the foule.

1579 E. Spenser Shepheardes Cal. Feb. 214 Fiercely the good man at him did laye.

1600 P. Holland tr. Livy Rom. Hist. v. xxiv. 196 The..Senators..came forth to the multitude, and offered themselves to be laid at, smitten and slaine.

1611 Bible (King James) Job xli. 26 The sword of him that layeth at him cannot hold.

1719 D. Defoe Farther Adventures Robinson Crusoe 110 Our Men being thus hard laid at, Atkins wounded.

1728 A. Ramsay Poems II. 181 Even Beauty guards in vain; he lays at a'.

1876 Surrey Gloss. The rabbits have laid at that wheat unaccountably.

1899 Expositor Jan. 54 The lie lays at the truth and the Truth must lay at the lie.

d. to lay into: to belabour; to ‘pitch into’. slang or colloquial.

ΘΚΠ

the world > movement > impact > striking > beating or repeated striking > beat [verb (transitive)] > specifically a person

to-beatc893

threshOE

bustc1225

to lay on or upon?c1225

berrya1250

to-bunea1250

touchc1330

arrayc1380

byfrapc1380

boxc1390

swinga1400

forbeatc1420

peal?a1425

routa1425

noddlea1450

forslinger1481

wipe1523

trima1529

baste1533

waulk1533

slip1535

peppera1550

bethwack1555

kembc1566

to beat (a person) black and blue1568

beswinge1568

paik1568

trounce1568

canvass1573

swaddle?1577

bebaste1582

besoop1589

bumfeage1589

dry-beat1589

feague1589

lamback1589

clapperclaw1590

thrash1593

belam1595

lam1595

beswaddle1598

bumfeagle1598

belabour1600

tew1600

flesh-baste1611

dust1612

feeze1612

mill1612

verberate1614

bethumpa1616

rebuke1619

bemaul1620

tabor1624

maula1627

batterfang1630

dry-baste1630

lambaste1637

thunder-thump1637

cullis1639

dry-banga1640

nuddle1640

sauce1651

feak1652

cotton1654

fustigate1656

brush1665

squab1668

raddle1677

to tan (a person's) hide1679

slam1691

bebump1694

to give (a person) his load1694

fag1699

towel1705

to kick a person's butt1741

fum1790

devel1807

bray1808

to beat (also scare, etc.) someone's daylights out1813

mug1818

to knock (a person) into the middle of next week1821

welt1823

hidea1825

slate1825

targe1825

wallop1825

pounce1827

to lay into1838

flake1841

muzzle1843

paste1846

looder1850

frail1851

snake1859

fettle1863

to do over1866

jacket1875

to knock seven kinds of —— out of (a person)1877

to take apart1880

splatter1881

to beat (knock, etc.) the tar out of1884

to —— the shit out of (a person or thing)1886

to do up1887

to —— (the) hell out of1887

to beat — bells out of a person1890

soak1892

to punch out1893

stoush1893

to work over1903

to beat up1907

to punch up1907

cream1929

shellac1930

to —— the bejesus out of (a person or thing)1931

duff1943

clobber1944

to fill in1948

to bash up1954

to —— seven shades of —— out of (a person or thing)1976

to —— seven shades out of (a person or thing)1983

beast1990

becurry-

fan-

the world > action or operation > manner of action > vigour or energy > carry on vigorously [verb (transitive)] > apply oneself to vigorously

to stand to ——?a1400

to shove at1542

to fall upon ——1617

to work awaya1635

to fall aboard1642

to fall on ——1650

to go at ——1675

to pitch into ——1823

to lay into1880

to be (also go) at the ——1898

to sail in1936

1838 D. Jerrold J. Applejohn in Men of Char. xiii I shall be very happy..to go and hold the door, while you lay into the ruffian.

1864 C. Dickens Our Mutual Friend (1865) I. i. iv. 32 Laying into me with your little bonnet.

1880 ‘M. Twain’ Tramp Abroad iii. 40 He [sc. a bird] laid into his work like a nigger.

1887 G. R. Sims Mary Jane's Mem. 108 She would lay into Master John with her stick.

e. to lay about one: to deal violent and repeated blows on all sides; occasionally (trans.) to lay (a weapon) about one. Hence figurative to act vigorously, make strenuous efforts, do one's utmost.

ΘΚΠ

society > armed hostility > military equipment > operation and use of weapons > stroke with weapon > strike (of weapon) [verb (intransitive)] > strike with a weapon > on all sides

to lay about onea1500

to lay about1609

to strike out1859

the world > action or operation > manner of action > effort or exertion > exert oneself or make an effort [verb (intransitive)] > make strenuous efforts

to lay about one1631

society > armed hostility > military equipment > operation and use of weapons > stroke with weapon > strike with a weapon [verb (transitive)] > strike with on all sides

to lay about one1889

a1500 (?a1400) Sir Torrent of Portyngale (1887) l. 1036 Fast he leyd hym a-bowte All þat somyrres nyght.

1596 E. Spenser Second Pt. Faerie Queene iv. iv. sig. D7 And with his brondiron round about him layd.

a1618 J. Sylvester Sonn. xvi, in Wks. (1880) II. 39 When like a Lion to preserve her yong, Thou laydst about thee to redeeme the same.

1631 R. Bolton Instr. Right Comf. Affl. Consciences 49 Thou, that now laies about the for thee world and wealth.

1674 in O. Airy Essex Papers (1890) I. 279 He lays about him on all hands where there is any the least project of gaine.

1690 J. Locke Ess. Humane Understanding iii. v. 208 Those words, with which they are so armed at all points, and with which they so confidently lay about them.

1699 A. Boyer Royal Dict. (at cited word) To lay about one's self..Faire tous les efforts, remuër ciel et terre.

1720 D. Manley Power of Love i. 55 How they laid about them to commend your Soul to God.

1837 B. Disraeli Venetia II. 364 They laid about them with their staves.

1889 A. Conan Doyle Micah Clarke xxxii. 353 We cut a way to his rescue, and laid our swords about us.

†33. impersonal. Of the wind, weather: To be violent. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > the earth > weather and the atmosphere > weather > bad weather > [verb (intransitive)] > storm or be stormy

storm14..

tempest1477

lay1572

1572 (a1500) Taill of Rauf Coilȝear (1882) 139 Sa troublit with stormis was I neuer stad; Of ilk airt of the Eist sa laithly it laid.

1825 J. Jamieson Etymol. Dict. Sc. Lang. Suppl. To Lay On, to rain, to hail, to snow, heavily; as, ‘It's layin' on o' snaw’.]

†34. To strike, beat (a person) on the face, over the head, etc. to lay on the lips: to kiss. Obsolete.In these uses the personal object is probably to be regarded as a dative.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > emotion > love > kiss > [verb (transitive)]

kissc900

reachOE

bassc1500

to lay on the lips1530

bussa1566

swap1577

smouch1588

lip1605

bause1607

suaviate1650

to pree a person's mouth1724

accolade1843

to give (someone) onec1882

to give (a person) some sugar1921

steups1967

the world > movement > impact > striking > striking on specific part of the body > strike on specific part of body [verb (transitive)]

lay1530

catch1583

1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 602/2 I lay hym on the face... I layde hym betweene the necke and the shoulders that I made hym grone.

1602 J. Marston Hist. Antonio & Mellida ii. sig. D2 Faith, sweet, ile lay thee on the lips for that iest.

a1627 T. Middleton & W. Rowley Old Law (1656) ii. 26 Ile lay you o'th lips and leave you.

1628 J. Earle Micro-cosmogr. xviii. sig. D8 Being once laid ore the shoulder with a Knighthood.

1690 W. Walker Idiomatologia Anglo-Lat. 228 He laid him over the face with his hands as hard as he could strike.

1712 J. Arbuthnot John Bull Still in Senses v. 20 The Cook laid them over the Pate with a ladle.

VI. To dispose or arrange in proper relative position over a surface.

35.

a. transitive. To place in the proper or designed position (something that extends horizontally, e.g. a foundation (often figurative), a floor, stones or bricks in building, etc.).

ΘΚΠ

the world > space > relative position > horizontal position or condition > place in horizontal position [verb (transitive)] > lay flat on something > in proper position

layc1000

c1000 West Saxon Gospels: Luke (Corpus Cambr.) xiv. 29 Syððan he þæne grund~weall legð [c1160 Hatton Gosp. leigð].

1340–70 Alex. & Dind. 438 To legge lym oþur ston.

c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) (1850) Heb. vi. 1 Not eftsoone leggynge the foundament of penaunce fro deede werkis.

a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Trin. Cambr.) l. 13285 At þe see Iame & Ion he fonde As þei were lynes leyond.

c1400 Rom. Rose 4149 Aboute him lefte he no masoun, That stoon coude leye, ne querrour.

c1425 J. Lydgate Assembly of Gods 596 All the baytys that ye for hym haue leyde.

1495 Act 11 Hen. VII c. 23 The same herynges shuld be wele truly and justly leyed and packed.

1526 Bible (Tyndale) Heb. i. 10 Thou lorde in the begynnynge hast layde the foundacion of the erth.

1576 A. Fleming tr. Hippocrates in Panoplie Epist. 283 They lay traines of treason to overthrow their princes.

1644 K. Digby Two Treat. i. x. 76 Proceeding vpon our groundes before layed.

1662 B. Gerbier Brief Disc. Princ. Building 33 Paviors (after the Bricks are laid) throw sharp Sand over them.

1680 J. Moxon Mech. Exercises I. xii. 217 You may begin at the Verge, and so lay several Grooves close by one another till you come to the Center.

1751 C. Labelye Descr. Westm. Bridge 71 The laying the Foundation of Stone-Piers.

1800 M. Edgeworth Castle Rackrent 44 She laid the corner stone of all her future misfortunes at that very instant.

1817 J. Mill Hist. Brit. India II. v. viii. 651 The political conduct of the Governor-General lays sufficient ground for the presumption that [etc.].

1823 P. Nicholson New Pract. Builder 263 When you lay your floors, let the joints be fitted and tacked down.

1840 R. H. Dana Two Years before Mast xxxiii. 125 From the time her keel was laid, she had never been so driven.

1842 J. Gwilt Encycl. Archit. ii. ii. 501 Slating is sometimes laid lozengewise.

1845 Jrnl. Royal Agric. Soc. 6 ii. 266 The ordinary mode of farming is to lay the ground in ridges.

1848 Chambers's Information for People (new ed.) I. 489/1 That manner of ploughing and laying the ridges..which will best keep the land dry.

1890 Cornhill Mag. Sept. 270 The first submarine cable was laid.

b. To set out (a table), to spread (the cloth), place in order (the plates, dishes, knives and forks, etc.) in preparation for a meal; hence, in later use, to set out the table for (a meal). Also absol. †Also, to prepare (a bed).

ΘΚΠ

the world > food and drink > food > setting table > [verb (transitive)]

layc1300

spreadc1300

setc1386

servec1405

cover1563

to lay in1788

lie1809

fix1842

the world > action or operation > undertaking > preparation > prepare [verb (transitive)] > prepare or put in order > specifically a bed

makec1300

strawa1400

laya1616

strew1810

c1300 Havelok (Laud) (1868) 1722 Þanne [he] were set, and bord leyd.

c1330 Arth. & Merl. 6508 (Kölbing) Þese weschen þis gentil man & leyd tables after þan.

1487 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (St. John's Cambr.) v. 388 The met all reddy grathit, Vith burdis set and clathis laid [1489 Adv. layit].

1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 603/1 Lay the table, for we must dyne in al the haste.

a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 2 (1623) iii. ii. 11 Haue you layd faire the Bed?

1669 S. Pepys Diary 8 Jan. (1976) IX. 410 Home to my wife's chamber, my people having laid the cloth and got the rooms all clean.

1788 C. Reeve Exiles III. 110 I made the servant lay his bed in order.

1797 A. M. Bennett Beggar Girl I. viii. 257 When the cloth was laying for supper.

1836 F. Marryat Japhet III. xxiv. 307 I found that the table was laid for three.

1847 W. M. Thackeray Vanity Fair (1848) xiv. 115 A little dinner..was laid in the dining-room.

1861 C. Dickens Great Expectations I. iv. 47 We found the table laid,..the dinner dressing.

1883 W. Black Shandon Bells xviii The little maidservant..laid the cloth.

1890 S. J. Weyman House of Wolf iv These gentlemen will not sup with me..Lay for them at the other end.

c. To trace (a ground-plan).

ΘΚΠ

society > occupation and work > industry > building or constructing > building or providing with specific parts > build or provide with specific parts [verb (transitive)] > lay foundations

grounda1300

foundc1330

groundsel1486

lay1594

1594 C. Marlowe & T. Nashe Dido v When I was laying a platform for these walls.

1601 P. Holland tr. Pliny Hist. World I. 99 Danochares the Architect laid the modell and platforme therof [sc. of Alexandria] by a subtil and witty deuise.

1615 G. Sandys Relation of Journey 29 It is reported that when the workmen began to lay the platforme at Chalcedon, how certain Eagles conueyed their lines to the other side of the Streight.

d. †(a) to lay a buck: to put clothes in soak for washing (obsolete). (b) to lay leaven (see quot. 1891).[Possibly confused (a) with some derivative of lye n.¹, and (b) with lay v.², allay v.¹; but this is uncertain.]

ΘΚΠ

the world > physical sensation > cleanness and dirtiness > cleaning > washing > washing clothes and textile articles > wash clothes [verb (intransitive)] > by steeping or boiling

to lay a buck1570

to lay the buck1570

to drive the buck1648

1570 T. Tusser Hundreth Good Pointes Husbandry (new ed.) f. 29 Maides .iii. a clock, knede, lay your bucks or go brew.

1611 R. Cotgrave Dict. French & Eng. Tongues at Faire Faire la buée, to lay, or wash a bucke.

1633 D. Rogers Treat. Two Sacraments Gospell i. 42 Shee that cannot lay a leaven, but thinkes of the kingdome of Christ.

1891 S. O. Addy Suppl. Gloss. Words Sheffield Lay, to mix; only used in the phrase ‘to lay leaven’, i.e. to mix the yeast with oat-meal in making oat-cake.

1893 R. O. Heslop Northumberland Words Lay, to mix dough for bread making. ‘Lay the breed’—to mix the flour with the yeast, to make the dough.

e. to lay a fire: to place the fuel ready for lighting.

ΘΚΠ

the world > matter > properties of materials > temperature > heat > burning > burn or consume by fire [verb (transitive)] > make a fire

beetc885

make?a1200

to make on1487

to fire up1836

to lay a fire1876

1876 W. S. Jevons Logic Primer 10 If one fire be laid and lighted exactly like another, it ought to burn like it.

1886 W. Besant Children of Gibeon I. ii. i. 244 The fire was laid..with the resinous wheels, which burn fiercely.

f. Printing. to lay type: ‘to put new sorts in cases’ (Jacobi Printers' Voc. 1888). Also, to lay the case.

ΚΠ

1683 J. Moxon Mech. Exercises II. 200 The manner how the several sorts of Letters are disposed in the several Boxes, is called, Laying of the Case.

1808 C. Stower Printer's Gram. vi. 151 Laying of Cases. This implies filling them with sorts of a new fount of letter.

36. To re-steel (a cutting instrument). dialect.

ΘΚΠ

society > occupation and work > industry > working with specific materials > working with metal > work with metal [verb (transitive)] > coat or cover with metal > with specific metal

tin1398

leadc1440

ironc1450

lay1472

copper1530

braze1552

silverize1605

foliate1665

plate1686

whiten1687

foil1714

blanch1729

quicken1738

amalgam1789

quick1790

aluminize1791

plate1791

zincify1801

platinize1825

resilver1832

galvanize1839

electroplate1843

zinc1843

electro-silver1851

platinate1858

electrotin1859

white-lead1863

palladiumize1864

white-metal1864

brassc1865

nickelize1865

nickel-plate1872

nickel1875

stopper1884

electro1891

sherardize1904

steel1911

stellite1934

flame-plate1954

steel-face1961

1472–3 in J. T. Fowler Extracts Acct. Rolls Abbey of Durham (1901) III. 644 Pro le laynge fusi et rynde molendini.

1475–6 in J. T. Fowler Extracts Acct. Rolls Abbey of Durham (1898) I. 95 Et sol. eidem pro le laynge ij axes, 6d.

1605 in J. Barmby Churchwardens' Accts. Pittington (1888) 55 For layinge the church hack with new iron, viijd.

1620 in H. J. F. Swayne Churchwardens' Accts. Sarum (1896) 172 For Layinge the pickax 1s. 8d.

1893 G. E. Dartnell & E. H. Goddard Gloss. Words Wilts. To lay a tool, to steel its edge afresh.

1893 R. O. Heslop Northumberland Words When a plough kooter..becomes worn, it is necessary..to wall (weld) a piece of iron on to it. This is called..‘layin a kooter’.

37. Rope-making.

a. To twist yarn to form (a strand), or strands to form (a rope).

ΘΚΠ

society > occupation and work > industry > manufacturing processes > rope-making > make rope [verb (transitive)] > other specific processes

lay1486

throw?c1625

register1793

re-lay1804

warp1815

to lay upc1860

tube1863

wimble1874

strand1886

fluff1892

1486 in M. Oppenheim Naval Accts. & Inventories Henry VII (1896) 13 The..openyng and newe leying of old Ropes.

1627 J. Smith Sea Gram. vii. 30 If the Cable bee well made, we say it is well laid.

1726 G. Shelvocke Voy. round World vii. 240 Those who were ashore made twice lay'd stuff for rigging.

1793 J. Smeaton Narr. Edystone Lighthouse (ed. 2) §281 A bridle cable was laid perfectly pliant.

1839 A. Ure Dict. Arts 1070 The last part of the process of rope-making, is to lay the cordage.

1853 A. Ure Dict. Arts (ed. 4) II. 560 The manner of laying the yarns into ropes.

b. intransitive said of the rope.

ΚΠ

1796 Encycl. Brit. (Dublin ed.) XVI. 485/1 Then..the top comes away from the swivel..and the line begins to lay.

38.

a. transitive. In immaterial sense: To fix the outlines of, arrange, devise (a plan, plot, scheme); †to establish (a law), settle, lay down (a principle); †to draw up the plan of (a literary composition). to lay one's account: see account n. Phrases 2d.

ΘΚΠ

society > law > legislation > make (laws) or establish as law [verb (transitive)]

setc893

lawa1023

makeOE

lay11..

stablishc1405

constitue1489

constitute1535

the mind > will > intention > planning > plan [verb (transitive)] > devise (a plan)

lay11..

compound1520

draw?c1550

hammer1582

society > leisure > the arts > literature > art or occupation of writer or author > be the author of or write (a work) [verb (transitive)] > draw up plan of composition

laya1616

skeletonize1865

skeleton1880

11.. Anglo-Saxon Chron. anno 1086 (Laud) He sætte mycel deorfrið & he lægde laga þærwið.

c1430 Freemasonry 449 Suche ordynance at the semblé was layd.

a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 1 (1623) ii. iii. 4 The Plot is layd .

1616 B. Jonson Epigrammes cxii, in Wks. I. 805 I cannot for the stage a Drama lay, Tragick or Comick.

1644 J. Milton tr. M. Bucer Ivdgem. conc. Divorce 14 If we retain our principles already laid.

1692 R. L'Estrange Life Æsop in Fables (1708) 8 Several Little Tales and Jests that I take to be neither well Laid, nor well put together.

1701 W. Wotton Hist. Rome v. 83 His Design had been long laid.

a1715 Bp. G. Burnet Hist. Own Time (1724) I. 401 The argument for it was laid thus.

1838 C. Thirlwall Hist. Greece (new ed.) II. xi. 56 His schemes also were more artfully laid.

1880 Libr. Universal Knowl. VIII. 381 When the conspiracy was laid to put Jesus to death.

†b. gen. To contrive, arrange. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > will > intention > planning > plan [verb (transitive)]

forethinkc897

bethinka1225

compass1297

contrivec1330

ordain1340

conjectc1380

imaginec1380

cast1382

ordaina1387

advisec1400

forecast1413

imagec1450

ordainc1450

project1477

foreminda1535

invent1539

aimc1540

practise1550

plat1556

trive1573

meditate1582

patterna1586

plot1589

platform1592

design1594

chew1600

forelay1605

to map out1618

to cut out1619

agitate1629

laya1631

plod1631

cut1645

calculate1654

concert1702

to scheme out1716

plan1718

model1725

to rough out1738

to lay out1741

plan1755

prethink1760

shape1823

programme1834

pre-plan1847

encompass1882

target1948

a1631 J. Donne Serm. (1956) VIII. 154 God had laid it so, that Moses should be setled this way.

a1677 I. Barrow Wks. (1716) I. 62 Is it not great imprudence so to lay our business that any other matter shall thwart or thrust out devotion?

1712 J. Arbuthnot App. to John Bull Still in Senses ii. 13 We have laid it so, that he is to be in the next Room.

c. intransitive †To make arrangements or plans for (obsolete); to plan, contrive, or intend to do something (now dialect and U.S.). (Cf. to lay out at Phrasal verbs.)

ΘΚΠ

the mind > will > intention > planning > plan [verb] > plan to do something

lay1573

plota1586

to cast aboutc1590

to put into (also in) practice1592

plat1596

project1600

to lay abouta1618

to lay out1651

plan1718

c1450 Mirour Saluacioun 2058 Saul laide for his dethe als for hys mortale enemy.

1573 T. Tusser Fiue Hundreth Points Good Husbandry (new ed.) f. 65 Lay you to saue.., and then you shall enriched bee.

1587 Sir P. Sidney & A. Golding tr. P. de Mornay Trewnesse Christian Relig. xiv. 238 Mans mynd can skill..to lay earnestly for warre in seeking or inioying of peace.

1587 Sir P. Sidney & A. Golding tr. Ovid's Met. xii. 277 And what is wrought in all the world he leaies to vnderstand.

1601 P. Holland tr. Pliny Hist. World I. 413 Men loue rather to haue plenty from their vines, than other~wise lay for the goodnesse thereof.

1633 Bp. J. Hall Plaine Explic. Hard Texts ii. 11 If hee lay to please the one, the other will be offended.

1648 E. Symmons Vindic. King Charles (new ed.) 113 Mahomet layed to perpetuate his religion by introducing of ignorance, [etc.].

a1825 R. Forby Vocab. E. Anglia (1830) Lay, to intend, to lay out, to lay a plan. Ex. ‘I lay to plough for turnips tomorrow’.

1896 Boston (Mass.) Jrnl. 3 Dec. 4/3 Fitzsimmons evidently laying to get in right on jaw.

39.

†a. In Old English: To direct (one's steps).

b. Nautical. to lay one's (or a) course: see quots. 1867, 1881.

ΘΚΠ

society > travel > travel by water > directing or managing a ship > direct or manage ship [verb (intransitive)] > head in a certain course or direction > make desired course

to lie the course1574

to lay one's (or a) course1669

OE Genesis 2402 Lastas legdon..oðþæt hie on Sodoman, weallsteape burg, wlitan meahton.

1669 S. Sturmy Mariners Mag. i. 18 The Wind will be Northerly, make ready to go about; we shall lay our Course another way.

1793 Rennell in Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 83 190 We were driven to the north of Scilly; and were barely able to lay a course through the passage between those islands and the Land's End.

1867 W. H. Smyth & E. Belcher Sailor's Word-bk. To lay her course, to be able to sail in the direction wished for, however barely the wind permits it.

1881 L. R. Hamersly Naval Encycl. (at cited word) A ship lays her course when being close-hauled, the wind permits the desired course to be steered.

1890 W. F. Rae Maygrove III. ix. 307 The steamer's course was laid for Michipicoten.

†c. To apply or devote (one's power, affection, possessions) to. Also const. into. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > advantage > usefulness > use (made of things) > use or make use of [verb (transitive)] > use for specific purpose

bestowc1315

lay1340

putc1390

apply1395

usea1398

applicate?a1425

deputec1425

explay1552

employ1553

consecrate1555

implya1625

sacrate1653

consign1700

devote1703

to give up1885

1340–70 Alisaunder 203 He had his liking ilaide þat Ladie too wedde.

a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 26294 If..þou haf oft-sith laid might His wrangwis liuelade for to right.

a1400 in Eng. Gilds (1870) 357 Ȝif eny good man of þe town leiþ his good to þe commune nede of þe town.

1628 O. Felltham Resolves: 2nd Cent. i. sig. H Hee:..Layes his heart into pleasures, and forgets the future.

†40. To set down in writing; to put into, express or ‘couch’ in (certain language or terms). Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

society > communication > writing > [verb (transitive)] > set down in writing

adighteOE

to set on writea900

dightc1000

writeOE

brevea1225

layc1330

indite1340

take1418

annote1449

printa1450

scribe1465

redact?a1475

reduce1485

letter1504

recite1523

to commit to writing (also paper)1529

pen1530

reduce?1533

token up1535

scripture1540

titulea1550

to set down1562

quote1573

to put down1574

paper1594

to write down1594

apprehend1611

fix1630

exarate1656

depose1668

put1910

society > leisure > the arts > literature > style of language or writing > express in a specific style [verb (transitive)] > express in particular terms

layc1330

setc1460

couch1529

terma1535

phrase1556

put1571

shape1589

word1602

c1330 Arth. & Merl. 1288 (Kölbing) Merlin to Blasi þer meche seyd, Þat Blasi al in writt leyd.

c1330 R. Mannyng Chron. Wace (Rolls) 184 Als Geffrey in latyn sayd So Mayster Wace in frankis layd.

c1385 G. Chaucer Legend Good Women Phyllis. 2506 Hir lettre..here & there in Ryme I haue it laide.

?a1400 Arth. & Merl. (Douce) 1792 (Kölbing) In þe Bruyt he hit layde.

a1631 J. Donne Serm. (1958) IX. 70 The phrase..is thus conceived, and laid, in our Image, and then after our likenesse.

1682 J. Bunyan Holy War 215 [The Charter] fairly engraven upon the doors thereof, and laid in Letters of Gold.

1714 R. Steele Lover No. 27 (1723) 160 They..carry a secret Instruction, in that they lay the Sense of the Author still closer in Words of his own.

1736 G. Jacob New Law-dict. (ed. 3) at Writ In all Writs Care is to be taken, that they be laid and form'd according to the Cause or Ground of them.

41. Art.

a. To put upon a surface in layers; to put or arrange (colours, †a picture) on canvas.

ΘΚΠ

society > leisure > the arts > visual arts > painting and drawing > painting > art of colouring > colour [verb (transitive)] > lay on a colour

limn1548

lay1574

work1885

1574 J. Baret Aluearie L 54 To laie colour on a picture.

1609 W. Shakespeare Sonnets ci. sig. G2 Truth needs no collour with his collour fixt, Beautie no pensell, beauties truth to lay.

1671 J. Milton Paradise Regain'd iv. 340 Their swelling Epithetes thick laid As varnish on a Harlots cheek.

1690 J. Locke Ess. Humane Understanding ii. x. 66 The Pictures drawn in our Minds, are laid in fading Colours.

1719 A. Boyer Royal Dict. (rev. ed.) (at cited word) To lay the Colours deep (in Painting), empater.

1781 W. Cowper Retirem. 798 To teach the canvas innocent deceit, Or lay the landscape on the snowy sheet.

1859 J. Ruskin Two Paths App. iv. 261 In every given touch [of colour] laid on canvas.

1859 J. Ruskin Two Paths App. iv. 262 The refinement of work consists not in laying absolutely little colour, but in always laying precisely the right quantity.

b. to lay a ground: to spread a coating over a surface, as a basis for colours. So in Photography, to lay the grain.

ΘΚΠ

society > leisure > the arts > visual arts > painting and drawing > painting > art of colouring > colour [phrase] > lay on preparatory

to lay a ground1782

1782 H. Walpole Vertue's Anecd. Painting (ed. 3) V. 141 Blooteling..found out the application of the chisel for laying grounds, which much exceeded the roller.

1839 Penny Cycl. XIII. 94/2 Three processes are usually required in japanning; laying the ground, painting, and finishing.

1854 J. Scoffern in Orr's Circ. Sc., Chem. 90 The last [stage], technically called ‘laying the grain’, must be effected by hand. It consists in rubbing the surface of the plate in one direction, by means of a buffer.

42. To cover, spread, or coat (with something), esp. by way of ornament (as in embroidery).

ΘΚΠ

the world > space > relative position > condition of being external > covering > coating or covering with a layer > coat or cover with a layer [verb (transitive)]

lay?a1366

overlaya1400

coverc1400

sheeta1616

glidder1631

candy1639

face1648

to do over1700

coat1753

candify1777

bed1839

to lay down1839

overcoat1861

society > leisure > the arts > visual arts > ornamental art and craft > fashion with artistic skill or decoration [verb (transitive)] > cover with ornamental work

fret1340

lay?a1366

overfretc1440

to work over1542

parget1576

encrust1641

incrustate1728

?a1366 Romaunt Rose 1076 A robe of purpre..it ful wel With orfrays leyd was everydel.

c1400 Siege of Troy 135 (Harl. 525) in Archiv f. das Studium der Neueren Sprachen 72 15 There were sheldis gylt and leyd wyth ynde.

c1440 Anc. Cookery in Coll. Ordinances Royal Househ. (1790) 433 Take a faire urthen pot, and lay hit well with splentes in the bothum, that the flessh neigh hit not.

1562–3 in R. Willis & J. W. Clark Archit. Hist. Univ. Cambr. (1886) III. 296 To the Painter for leyinge the Irons of the greate Postes in oyle and red leade iij^s.

1578 H. Lyte tr. R. Dodoens Niewe Herball i. xix. 29 Softe wollie leaves, as it were layde with a certayne downe or fine cotton.

1603 R. Knolles Gen. Hist. Turkes 832 Short cloakes layed with siluer lace.

1663 B. Gerbier Counsel to Builders 80 Lathed and laid with Lime and haire.

1820 W. Scott Monastery I. iii. 119 She is convent-bred, and can lay silk broidery.

1879 E. Arnold Light of Asia 34 Black steel, Laid with gold tendrils.

1889 J. A. Froude Two Chiefs Dunboy xxvi. 399 They..dug a pit, and laid the bottom of it with thorns.

1891 Chambers's Jrnl. 5 Dec. 770/1 My bath-room is..a part of the veranda laid with zinc.

VII. Intransitive uses corresponding with lie v.¹ 4.

43.

a. In intransitive uses, coinciding with or resembling those of lie v.¹ 4.In the earliest examples the verb appears to be intransitive for reflexive or passive. Now (except in Nautical language, see 43b) it is only dialectal or an illiterate substitute for lie, its identity of form with the past tense of the latter no doubt accounting largely for the confusion. In the 17th and 18th centuries, it was not apparently regarded as a solecism. (For lay in wait see wait n.; for to lay low see low adj. and n.² Phrases 2.)

ΘΚΠ

society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabiting temporarily > [verb (intransitive)]

liec1000

harbourc1200

sojournc1290

layc1300

sojourc1330

to make, take (up) one's lodging1362

pilgrimagea1382

bield?a1400

lodgec1400

tarryc1400

to make (one's) residence1433

harbingec1475

harbry1513

stay1554

roost?1555

embower1591

quarter1591

leaguer1596

allodge1601

tenta1616

visit1626

billet1628

to lie abroad1650

tabernacle1653

sojourney1657

canton1697

stop1797

to shake down1858

to hole up1875

perendinate1886

shack1935

cotch1950

the world > life > death > [verb (intransitive)] > be dead

sleepc950

restOE

liea1000

to be deadc1000

to lie lowa1275

layc1300

to be gathered to one's fathersa1382

to be gathered to one's fathers1382

to sup with our Saviour, with Our (the) Lord, with (Jesus) Christa1400

repose1586

slumber1594

to sup in heaven or hell1642

to turn one's toes up to the daisies1842

to be out of the way1881

to push up daisiesa1918

to have had it1942

RIP1962

the world > space > relative position > horizontal position or condition > be placed horizontally [verb (intransitive)]

liec1000

layc1300

the world > space > relative position > posture > action or fact of lying down or reclining > lie down or recline [verb (intransitive)]

leanc950

resteOE

liec1000

to be laidc1175

layc1300

to lie along1530

recline1578

to horizontalize it1843

recumb1906

cwtch1921

the world > physical sensation > sleeping and waking > sleep > bed related to sleep or rest > go to bed or retire to rest [verb (intransitive)] > be in bed or lie

liec1290

layc1300

couchc1380

the world > action or operation > difficulty > hindrance > types or manners of hindrance > hinder in specific manner [verb (transitive)] > encumber > burden

charka1300

chargec1308

cark1330

liea1400

labour1437

onerate1453

endossa1500

onera1500

laden1514

load1526

aggravate1530

lay1530

honorate1533

ladea1538

burden1541

ballast1566

loaden1568

degravate1574

aburden1620

pregravate1654

comble1672

the world > physical sensation > sleeping and waking > sleep > bed related to sleep or rest > go to bed or retire to rest [verb (intransitive)]

to go to (one's) resteOE

to take (one's) restc1175

to go to bedc1275

to lie downc1275

reposec1485

down-lie1505

bed1635

to turn in1695

retire1696

lay1768

to go to roost1829

to turn or peak the flukes1851

kip1889

doss1896

to hit the hay1912

to hit the deck1918

to go down1922

to bunk down1940

to hit the sack1943

to sack out1946

to sack down1956

c1300 Harrow. Hell 147 Sathanas, y bynde the, her shalt thou lay. O that come domesday.

13.. Sir Beues 2643 (MS. A.) Þar he schel leggen ay, Til hit come domes dai.

a1400 in Eng. Gilds (1870) 363 Þ^t no man ne legge in lond ne in tenement..þe whyle þe suquestre ys þare set.

c1420 Chron. Vilod. (Horstm.) 3340 Þe chest..In þe whyche þis blessud virgyn leyth y-closot inne.

1490 Caxton's Blanchardyn & Eglantine (1962) li. 195 His cheff standarde ouer thrawen and layng vpon the grounde.

1498 Will of Raufe Woodforde (P.R.O.: PROB. 11/11) f. 183^v Where my wif legges.

1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 605/2 It leyeth on my herte. I tell you as it lyeth on my herte.

1625 F. Bacon Ess. (new ed.) 229 Nature will lay buried a great Time, and yet reuiue.

1628 J. Earle Micro-cosmogr. xxxiii. sig. F11 Some..Folio, which..hath laid open in the same Page this halfe yeere.

1662 J. Strype in H. Ellis Orig. Lett. Eminent Literary Men (1843) (Camden) 179 At my first Coming, I laid alone.

1665 A. Wood Life & Times (1892) II. 46 The lady of Castlemaine's two children began to lay at our house.

1665 A. Wood Life & Times (1892) II. 56 The books..layd upon the booksellours' hands.

1736 Bp. J. Butler Analogy of Relig. ii. vi. 231 The general Proof of natural Religion..does, I think, lay Level to common Men.

1749 H. Fielding Tom Jones I. i. vi. 29 The flame, which had before lain in embrio, now burst forth.

1768 A. Tucker Light of Nature Pursued II. iii. 531 We are capable of laying down upon the chart of our imagiation.

1794 J. Bidlake Poems 4 She..on the ground, to catch each sound would lay.

1818 Ld. Byron Childe Harold: Canto IV clxxx. 93 Thou..dashest him again to earth:—there let him lay.

1828 J. Raine St. Cuthbert 78 They found the venerable body..laying on its right side.

1890 Daily News 13 Oct. 7/1 A large Danish boarhound..knocked a little boy..down, laid on him, and bit him over the eye.

1900 ‘F. Anstey’ Brass Bottle vi. 80 ‘They're all layin' down on the road opposite our door.’

b. Nautical. To put oneself in the position indicated by the accompanying phrase or adverb, e.g. to lay at anchor, to lay by the wind. (See also to lay along, to lay by, to lay in, to lay out at Phrasal verbs, etc.) to lay on the oars, to cease rowing.

ΘΚΠ

society > travel > travel by water > berthing, mooring, or anchoring > berth, moor, or anchor [verb (intransitive)] > anchor > lie at anchor

standOE

ridec1300

to lay at anchor1530

hove?c1550

society > travel > travel by water > propelling boat by oars, paddle, or pole > [verb (intransitive)] > row > slacken speed or stop

to lay on the oars1830

easy1852

ease1863

unrow1898

1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 605/1 I ley at anker, as a shyppe dothe, je ancre.

1549 King Edward VI Jrnl. (Roxb.) II. 227 Thei laying at anker bett the French.

1670 T. S. & A. Roberts Adventures Eng. Merchant 8 He commanded to lay by the Wind, until the Ships came within Call.

1830 F. Marryat King's Own III. vi. 126 The boats laid upon their oars.

1881 L. R. Hamersly Naval Encycl. (at cited word) To lay is used (although incorrectly) in the sense of to go or come; as lay forward, lay aft, lay down from aloft, lay out on the yards, etc.

1894 C. N. Robinson Brit. Fleet 181 Captains are saluted by laying on the oars (in other words ceasing to row).

Phrasal verbs

With adverbs in specialized uses. to lay about

†1. transitive. To surround, beset.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > hostile action or attack > make an attack upon [verb (transitive)] > on all sides

lapc1330

to lay about14..

besetc1520

beleaguer?1589

the world > space > relative position > condition of being external > surrounding > surround or lie around [verb (transitive)] > in hostile or harmful manner

beset?c1225

lapc1330

to lay about14..

underset1488

to fetch in1565

bestad1579

14.. Arth. & Merl. (Percy MS.) 2452 (Kölbing) A 100 Sarazens on a rowte Att once layd him all about.

1555 J. Proctor Hist. Wyates Rebell. 33 b The lorde Aburgaueny and the shiriffe..deuised to laye the countree aboute, that they [Wyat and others] mought not escape.

†2. intransitive. To contrive, plan, take measures (to do something); to look out or make a search for.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > will > intention > planning > plan [verb] > plan to do something

lay1573

plota1586

to cast aboutc1590

to put into (also in) practice1592

plat1596

project1600

to lay abouta1618

to lay out1651

plan1718

the world > action or operation > endeavour > searching or seeking > search for or seek [verb (transitive)] > search about for

to search out?a1400

to look about1536

to feel after ——?1557

study1561

to feel for ——1569

to look out for1578

to lay out1624

to look round1630

to lay about1755

prospect1854

roust1870

to look around1927

a1618 J. Sylvester tr. G. Fracastoro Maidens Blush (1620) sig. A6^v Hee labours, and hee layes-about..that dear Issue to exterminate.

1699 A. Boyer Royal Dict. (at cited word) To lay about, in order to get an Office, Briguer, rechercher un Emploi.

1755 J. Shebbeare Lydia (1769) II. 176 She therefore laid about for a proper person to dispatch as an emissary to accomplish this design.

†3. To strike out with vigour; = to lay about one at sense 32e. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

society > armed hostility > military equipment > operation and use of weapons > stroke with weapon > strike (of weapon) [verb (intransitive)] > strike with a weapon > on all sides

to lay about onea1500

to lay about1609

to strike out1859

c1330 Arth. & Merl. 2874 (Kölbing) About he leyd on so hard, Þat his swerd brast atvo.]

1609 S. Rowlands Famous Hist. Guy Earle of Warwick 29 He drew his sword, and laid about.

1663 S. Butler Hudibras: First Pt. i. ii. 132 But when his rugged Sword was out, With stomack huge he laid about.

to lay abroad

transitive. To spread out; to set out for view; to spread (a net). Obsolete exc. archaic.

ΘΚΠ

the world > space > extension in space > extend [verb (transitive)] > spread (something) out or open

abredeeOE

bredeOE

stretcha1000

to-spreada1000

openOE

spreadc1175

displayc1320

to let outc1380

to open outc1384

outspreada1400

spald?a1400

splayc1402

expand?a1475

to lay along1483

speld?a1500

skail1513

to set abroad1526

to lay abroad1530

flarec1550

bespread1557

to set out1573

dispread1590

explaina1600

expanse1600

dispack1605

splat1615

dispand1656

extend1676

flat1709

spelder1710

spreadeagle1829

1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 601/1 I laye abrode clothes in the sonne to be ayred or dried... I laye abrode, as hunters or fysshers do their nettes... I laye abrode monay, or vessell, or bookes to be vewed, je mets au large.

1535 Bible (Coverdale) 2 Kings xix. 14 Whan Ezechias had receaued the letters..[he] layed them abrode before the Lorde.

1574 J. Baret Aluearie L 54 To laie abroade hey in the sunne to drie.

1604 E. Grimeston tr. J. de Acosta Nat. & Morall Hist. Indies v. xxiv. 395 Hauing layed abroade these bones.

1883 R. W. Dixon Mano i. xvi. 50 For he abroad capacious nets had laid.

to lay along

1. transitive. To stretch at full length (also, all along); hence, to lay low, prostrate; to destroy, overthrow, kill.

ΘΚΠ

the world > space > extension in space > extend [verb (transitive)] > spread (something) out or open

abredeeOE

bredeOE

stretcha1000

to-spreada1000

openOE

spreadc1175

displayc1320

to let outc1380

to open outc1384

outspreada1400

spald?a1400

splayc1402

expand?a1475

to lay along1483

speld?a1500

skail1513

to set abroad1526

to lay abroad1530

flarec1550

bespread1557

to set out1573

dispread1590

explaina1600

expanse1600

dispack1605

splat1615

dispand1656

extend1676

flat1709

spelder1710

spreadeagle1829

the world > health and disease > ill health > cause to be ill [verb (transitive)] > make weak

fellOE

wastec1230

faintc1386

endull1395

resolvea1398

afaintc1400

defeat?c1400

dissolvec1400

weakc1400

craze1476

feeblish1477

debilite1483

overfeeble1495

plucka1529

to bring low1530

debilitate1541

acraze1549

decaya1554

infirma1555

weaken1569

effeeble1571

enervate1572

enfeeble1576

slay1578

to pull downa1586

prosternate1593

shake1594

to lay along1598

unsinew1598

languefy1607

enerve1613

pulla1616

dispirit1647

imbecilitate1647

unstring1700

to run down1733

sap1755

reduce1767

prostrate1780

shatter1785

undermine1812

imbecile1829

disinvigorate1844

devitalize1849

wreck1850

atrophy1865

crumple1892

the world > life > death > killing > kill [verb (transitive)]

swevec725

quelmeOE

slayc893

quelleOE

of-falleOE

ofslayeOE

aquellc950

ayeteeOE

spillc950

beliveOE

to bring (also do) of (one's) life-dayOE

fordoa1000

forfarea1000

asweveOE

drepeOE

forleseOE

martyrOE

to do (also i-do, draw) of lifeOE

bringc1175

off-quellc1175

quenchc1175

forswelta1225

adeadc1225

to bring of daysc1225

to do to deathc1225

to draw (a person) to deathc1225

murder?c1225

aslayc1275

forferec1275

to lay to ground, to earth (Sc. at eird)c1275

martyrc1300

strangle1303

destroya1325

misdoa1325

killc1330

tailc1330

to take the life of (also fro)c1330

enda1340

to kill to (into, unto) death1362

brittena1375

deadc1374

to ding to deathc1380

mortifya1382

perisha1387

to dight to death1393

colea1400

fella1400

kill out (away, down, up)a1400

to slay up or downa1400

swelta1400

voida1400

deliverc1400

starvec1425

jugylc1440

morta1450

to bring to, on, or upon (one's) bierc1480

to put offc1485

to-slaya1500

to make away with1502

to put (a person or thing) to silencec1503

rida1513

to put downa1525

to hang out of the way1528

dispatch?1529

strikea1535

occidea1538

to firk to death, (out) of lifec1540

to fling to deathc1540

extinct1548

to make out of the way1551

to fet offa1556

to cut offc1565

to make away?1566

occise1575

spoil1578

senda1586

to put away1588

exanimate1593

unmortalize1593

speed1594

unlive1594

execute1597

dislive1598

extinguish1598

to lay along1599

to make hence1605

conclude1606

kill off1607

disanimate1609

feeze1609

to smite, stab in, under the fifth rib1611

to kill dead1615

transporta1616

spatch1616

to take off1619

mactate1623

to make meat of1632

to turn up1642

inanimate1647

pop1649

enecate1657

cadaverate1658

expedite1678

to make dog's meat of1679

to make mincemeat of1709

sluice1749

finisha1753

royna1770

still1778

do1780

deaden1807

deathifyc1810

to lay out1829

cool1833

to use up1833

puckeroo1840

to rub out1840

cadaverize1841

to put under the sod1847

suicide1852

outkill1860

to fix1875

to put under1879

corpse1884

stiffen1888

tip1891

to do away with1899

to take out1900

stretch1902

red-light1906

huff1919

to knock rotten1919

skittle1919

liquidate1924

clip1927

to set over1931

creasea1935

ice1941

lose1942

to put to sleep1942

zap1942

to take down1967

wax1968

trash1973

ace1975

1483 ( tr. G. Deguileville Pilgrimage of Soul (Caxton) iii. ix. f. lv^v Thenne sawe I yet another companye..these were leyd a long vpon a table.

1535 Bible (Coverdale) 2 Kings iv. 35 [Elisha] went up, and layed him selfe a longe vpon him.

1598 A. M. tr. J. Guillemeau Frenche Chirurg. 35 b/1 Shee is without all strength, cleane layed a-longe.

1599 Withals' Dict. 62 b To ouerthrow, lay along, and destroie, sterno.

1599 W. Shakespeare Romeo & Juliet v. iii. 3 Vnder yond young Trees lay thee all along.

1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Æneis i, in tr. Virgil Wks. 209 The Leaders first He laid along.

1749 T. Smollett tr. A. R. Le Sage Gil Blas III. vii. xvi. 104 My nurse laid me all along again.

1857 Children's Friend Mar. 66 I saw him raised into the boat all stiff..He was laid along upon a plank.

2. intransitive (Nautical: see 43b) Of a ship: To lean over with a side wind. (Cf. lie along at to lie along 2 at lie v.¹ Phrasal verbs.)

ΘΚΠ

society > travel > travel by water > action or motion of vessel > [verb (intransitive)] > heel or list

blencha1300

rolla1325

heelc1575

seela1618

list1626

stoop1663

careen1762

to lie along1769

to lay along1779

wrong1842

to roll down1856

1779 Barnard in Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 70 107 That leakage, washing from side to side, will cause the ship to lay along.

to lay apart

† transitive. To put aside or away from one; to omit purposely (to do something.)

ΘΚΠ

the mind > possession > relinquishing > casting or laying aside > [verb (transitive)]

to let awaya1000

forcast?c1225

to lay downc1275

forthrow1340

flita1375

removea1382

to cast away1382

understrewc1384

castc1390

to lay awaya1400

to lay asidec1440

slingc1440

warpiss1444

to lay from, offc1480

way-put1496

depose1526

to lay apart1526

to put off1526

to set apart1530

to turn up1541

abandonate?1561

devest1566

dispatch1569

decarta1572

discard1578

to make away1580

to fling away1587

to cast off1597

doff1599

cashier1603

to set by1603

moult1604

excuss1607

retorta1616

divest1639

deposit1646

disentail1667

dismiss1675

slough1845

shed1856

jettison1869

shake1872

offload1900

junk1911

dump1919

sluff1934

bin1940

to put down1944

shitcan1973

the world > action or operation > inaction > not doing > abstaining or refraining from action > abstain or refrain from (action) [verb (transitive)]

holdc897

forgoa1000

oversitOE

forbearc1200

letc1330

to let bec1385

to lay apart1526

refrain1528

to let pass1530

retainc1540

abstain1578

restrain1594

stay1599

nurture1627

withhold1650

waive1653

inhold1655

withstand1852

skip1961

the mind > language > statement > refusal > [verb (transitive)] > dismiss from consideration

forheedc1275

sequesterc1380

forlaya1400

to lay awaya1400

to put, set or lay byc1425

to lay by1439

to lay asidec1440

to set, lay, put apart1477

bar1481

to lay apart1526

to throw out1576

disclude1586

to fling aside1587

to fling away1587

exclude1593

daff1598

to throw by1644

eliminate1850

to write off1861

to filter out1934

slam-dunk1975

1526 Bible (Tyndale) James i. 21 Wherfore laye a parte all filthynes [so 1611].

?c1535 L. Cox Arte Rhethorycke (new ed.) sig. Biv All maners of the law layd for the tyme vtterly a part.

1563 2nd Tome Homelyes Rogation i Wee shall..lay apart to speake of the profound and unsearchable nature of Almighty God, rather acknowledging our weakenesse, then rashly to attempt [etc.].

1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene i. Proem sig. A2^v Lay now thy..bowe apart.

1600 W. Shakespeare Henry V ii. iv. 78 That you deuest your selfe and lay apart That borrowed tytle.

to lay aside

1. transitive. To put away from one's person (as a garment, weapon, or the like); to put on one side.

ΘΚΠ

the world > space > place > removal or displacement > remove or displace [verb (transitive)] > set aside

defer1393

to lay asidec1405

to set aside (on side)1412

side?1840

sidetrack1872

the mind > possession > relinquishing > casting or laying aside > [verb (transitive)] > as a garment, weapon, etc.

to lay downc1275

to lay awaya1400

to lay asidec1405

to lay by1439

c1405 (c1390) G. Chaucer Man of Law's Tale (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 615 They moste..leye alite hir holynesse asyde As for the tyme.

1565 T. Cooper Thesaurus at Condo Seponere & condere, to lay aside and locke vp.

a1569 M. Coverdale Fruitful Lessons (1593) To Rdr. sig. A4^v The old Adam ought we to lay aside.

1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene i. iii. 33 Her fillet she vndight, And layd her stole aside.

1611 Bible (King James) Heb. xii. 1 Let us lay aside every weight.

1781 D. Williams tr. Voltaire Dramatic Wks. II. 140 A father cannot lay aside the father.

1828 W. S. Landor Imaginary Conversat. III. xiii. 359 On entering the apartment of the women of your country, you lay aside both slipper and turban.

1849 W. E. Aytoun Buried Flower in Poems 181 Death had laid aside his terror.

1890 Lippincott's Monthly Mag. May 632 The editor laid aside the last proof-sheet.

2. transitive. To reject or dismiss from one's consideration or action; to abandon or postpone (a design), discontinue (an occupation).

ΘΚΠ

the mind > possession > relinquishing > casting or laying aside > [verb (transitive)]

to let awaya1000

forcast?c1225

to lay downc1275

forthrow1340

flita1375

removea1382

to cast away1382

understrewc1384

castc1390

to lay awaya1400

to lay asidec1440

slingc1440

warpiss1444

to lay from, offc1480

way-put1496

depose1526

to lay apart1526

to put off1526

to set apart1530

to turn up1541

abandonate?1561

devest1566

dispatch1569

decarta1572

discard1578

to make away1580

to fling away1587

to cast off1597

doff1599

cashier1603

to set by1603

moult1604

excuss1607

retorta1616

divest1639

deposit1646

disentail1667

dismiss1675

slough1845

shed1856

jettison1869

shake1872

offload1900

junk1911

dump1919

sluff1934

bin1940

to put down1944

shitcan1973

the mind > attention and judgement > inattention > ignoring, disregard > ignore, disregard [verb (transitive)] > dismiss from consideration

to put out of ——a1250

to lay awaya1400

to set asidec1407

to lay by1439

to lay asidec1440

to let (something) walkc1450

to set apart?1473

reject1490

seclude?1531

to let go1535

to put offc1540

to set by1592

sepose1593

to think away1620

to look over ——a1640

prescind1650

seposit1657

decognize1659

inconsider1697

to set over1701

shelf1819

sink1820

shelve1847

eliminate1848

to count out1854

discounta1856

defenestrate1917

neg1987

the mind > language > statement > refusal > [verb (transitive)] > dismiss from consideration

forheedc1275

sequesterc1380

forlaya1400

to lay awaya1400

to put, set or lay byc1425

to lay by1439

to lay asidec1440

to set, lay, put apart1477

bar1481

to lay apart1526

to throw out1576

disclude1586

to fling aside1587

to fling away1587

exclude1593

daff1598

to throw by1644

eliminate1850

to write off1861

to filter out1934

slam-dunk1975

the world > action or operation > ceasing > cease from (an action or operation) [verb (transitive)]

aswikec975

linOE

beleavec1175

forletc1175

i-swikec1175

restc1175

stutte?c1225

lina1300

blinc1314

to give overc1325

to do wayc1350

stintc1366

finisha1375

leavea1375

yleavec1380

to leave offa1382

refuse1389

ceasec1410

resigna1413

respite?a1439

relinquish1454

surcease1464

discontinue1474

unfill1486

supersede1499

desist1509

to have ado?1515

stop1525

to lay aside1530

stay1538

quata1614

to lay away1628

sist1635

quita1642

to throw up1645

to lay by1709

to come off1715

unbuckle1736

peter1753

to knock off1767

stash1794

estop1796

stow1806

cheese1811

to chuck itc1879

douse1887

nark1889

to stop off1891

stay1894

sling1902

can1906

to lay off1908

to pack in1934

to pack up1934

to turn in1938

to break down1941

to tie a can to (or on)1942

to jack in1948

to wrap it up1949

the world > action or operation > behaviour > customary or habitual mode of behaviour > unaccustomedness or state of disuse > give up a habit or practice [verb (transitive)]

leaveeOE

forsakec1175

waive1340

twinc1386

refuse1389

to set aside1426

relinquish1454

abuse1471

renouncec1480

disaccustom1483

to break from1530

to lay aside1530

disprofess1590

dropa1616

to set bya1674

decline1679

unpractise?1680

slough1845

shake1872

sluff1934

kick1936

c1440 Partonope 5039 Hereth yt and than ley hyt asyde.

1470–85 T. Malory Morte d'Arthur iv. xx. 145 I praye to god that he send yow honour and worship. A said the Knyghte I may laye that on syde.

1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 605/1 I ley away, or I laye asyde my worke to loyter.

1579 S. Gosson Schoole of Abuse f. 43^v When our good desires are once laide aside.

1613 S. Purchas Pilgrimage 207 After sunne set, all this while the women lay aside their worke.

a1616 W. Shakespeare Coriolanus (1623) i. iii. 71 Come, lay aside your stitchery.

a1715 Bp. G. Burnet Hist. Own Time (1724) I. 66 So the design of the rising was laid aside.

1766 H. Brooke Fool of Quality I. iv. 152 Laying Peter aside; who think you was the greatest hero among the moderns?

1824 J. Mackintosh Speech in Commons 1 June in Wks. (1846) III. 417 I think myself entitled to lay aside..the testimony of the coachman.

1872 C. M. Yonge Cameos cx, in Monthly Packet June 515 The burghers laid aside their revelries.

†3. transitive. To put out of the way, get rid of. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > existence and causation > creation > destruction > destroy [verb (transitive)] > eradicate or extirpate

fornimOE

to put awaya1382

outroot?a1425

unroot?a1425

out-razec1425

to pluck up1484

avell1530

sweep1560

depopulate1576

ruina1586

assoil1596

to lay aside1596

untop1598

displant1603

float1606

to take off1619

amolish1624

uproota1639

eradicate1647

to lay by1681

to polish off1827

uprend1911

to zero out1951

1596 J. Dalrymple tr. J. Leslie Hist. Scotl. (1888) I. 275 Quhen he had pacifiet his cuntrey, layd asyde his alde ennimies [etc.].

1708 J. Swift Sentiments Church of Eng.-man ii, in Misc. (1711) 146 When a prince was laid aside for Male-administration.

1726–31 N. Tindal tr. P. Rapin de Thoyras Hist. Eng. (1743) II. xvii. 110 To lay aside this troublesome Regent.

4. transitive. To set apart for a purpose.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > possession > supply > storage > store [verb (transitive)] > reserve

reservea1382

keepa1400

sparea1400

savea1450

to put by1568

to put aside1569

to set byc1595

sepose1609

seposit1657

to lay aside1711

to set away1747

to lay by1786

to lay (also put) past1847

to put away1861

1711 J. Addison Spectator No. 58. ¶1 I intend to lay aside a whole Week for this Undertaking.

5. transitive and passive. To be incapacitated for work by illness.

ΘΚΠ

the world > health and disease > ill health > [adjective] > in state of ill health or diseased > restrained by ill health

bedridc1000

bedridden1340

bedlarc1440

bedrel1513

bed-sickc1550

clinica1631

bedfasta1639

non-surrective1668

decumbent1689

invalided1837

laid1868

to lay aside1879

wheelchaired1938

on the sick1976

1879 J. C. Shairp Robert Burns 172 At this crisis his faithful wife was laid aside, unable to attend him.

1901 Punch 3 Apr. 262/1 More than once laid aside by break down of health.

to lay away

1. transitive. = to lay aside at Phrasal verbs.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > possession > relinquishing > casting or laying aside > [verb (transitive)]

to let awaya1000

forcast?c1225

to lay downc1275

forthrow1340

flita1375

removea1382

to cast away1382

understrewc1384

castc1390

to lay awaya1400

to lay asidec1440

slingc1440

warpiss1444

to lay from, offc1480

way-put1496

depose1526

to lay apart1526

to put off1526

to set apart1530

to turn up1541

abandonate?1561

devest1566

dispatch1569

decarta1572

discard1578

to make away1580

to fling away1587

to cast off1597

doff1599

cashier1603

to set by1603

moult1604

excuss1607

retorta1616

divest1639

deposit1646

disentail1667

dismiss1675

slough1845

shed1856

jettison1869

shake1872

offload1900

junk1911

dump1919

sluff1934

bin1940

to put down1944

shitcan1973

the mind > attention and judgement > inattention > ignoring, disregard > ignore, disregard [verb (transitive)] > dismiss from consideration

to put out of ——a1250

to lay awaya1400

to set asidec1407

to lay by1439

to lay asidec1440

to let (something) walkc1450

to set apart?1473

reject1490

seclude?1531

to let go1535

to put offc1540

to set by1592

sepose1593

to think away1620

to look over ——a1640

prescind1650

seposit1657

decognize1659

inconsider1697

to set over1701

shelf1819

sink1820

shelve1847

eliminate1848

to count out1854

discounta1856

defenestrate1917

neg1987

the mind > possession > relinquishing > casting or laying aside > [verb (transitive)] > as a garment, weapon, etc.

to lay downc1275

to lay awaya1400

to lay asidec1405

to lay by1439

the mind > language > statement > refusal > [verb (transitive)] > dismiss from consideration

forheedc1275

sequesterc1380

forlaya1400

to lay awaya1400

to put, set or lay byc1425

to lay by1439

to lay asidec1440

to set, lay, put apart1477

bar1481

to lay apart1526

to throw out1576

disclude1586

to fling aside1587

to fling away1587

exclude1593

daff1598

to throw by1644

eliminate1850

to write off1861

to filter out1934

slam-dunk1975

the world > action or operation > ceasing > cease from (an action or operation) [verb (transitive)]

aswikec975

linOE

beleavec1175

forletc1175

i-swikec1175

restc1175

stutte?c1225

lina1300

blinc1314

to give overc1325

to do wayc1350

stintc1366

finisha1375

leavea1375

yleavec1380

to leave offa1382

refuse1389

ceasec1410

resigna1413

respite?a1439

relinquish1454

surcease1464

discontinue1474

unfill1486

supersede1499

desist1509

to have ado?1515

stop1525

to lay aside1530

stay1538

quata1614

to lay away1628

sist1635

quita1642

to throw up1645

to lay by1709

to come off1715

unbuckle1736

peter1753

to knock off1767

stash1794

estop1796

stow1806

cheese1811

to chuck itc1879

douse1887

nark1889

to stop off1891

stay1894

sling1902

can1906

to lay off1908

to pack in1934

to pack up1934

to turn in1938

to break down1941

to tie a can to (or on)1942

to jack in1948

to wrap it up1949

the world > action or operation > inaction > not doing > abstaining or refraining from action > abstain or refrain from (action) [verb (transitive)] > abstain from considering or reject

to lay away1641

a1400 Ipomedon (Kölbing) 338/7 He laid a way his horne & his hunter clothes & armed him all in white.

1526 Bible (Tyndale) Heb. xii. 1 Lett vs..laye a waye all that preseth vs doune, and the sinne that hangeth on vs.

1570 J. Foxe Actes & Monumentes (rev. ed.) I. 110/1 They were..ready to lay away their armour and weapons.

1591 H. Savile tr. Tacitus Ende of Nero: Fower Bks. Hist. ii. 173 That passion, amongst all other, euen of wise men is last layde away.

1628 T. Hobbes tr. Thucydides Peloponnesian War (1822) 4 [They] laid away..the fashion of wearing linen coats.

1641 King Charles I in J. Rushworth Hist. Coll.: Third Pt. (1692) I. 457 That laying away all disputes, you go on chearfully and speedily for the Reducing of Ireland.

1845 H. W. Longfellow Curfew in Belfry of Bruges ii. 4 The book is completed, And closed, like the day; And the hand that has written it Lays it away.

2. transitive. To bury. ? U.S.

ΘΚΠ

the world > life > death > disposal of corpse > burial > bury or entomb [verb (transitive)]

bedelveOE

begraveOE

burya1000

beburyc1000

bifel-ec1000

layc1000

to fall, lull, lay (bring obs.) asleepOE

tombc1275

gravec1300

inter1303

rekec1330

to lap in leadc1340

to lay to rest, abed, to bed1340

lie1387

to louk in clay (lead, etc.)?a1400

to lay lowa1425

earthc1450

sepulture1490

to put awaya1500

tyrea1500

mould1530

to graith in the grave1535

ingrave1535

intumulate1535

sepult1544

intumil?c1550

yird1562

shrinea1566

infera1575

entomb1576

sepelite1577

shroud1577

funeral1578

to load with earth1578

delve1587

to lay up1591

sepulchrize1595

pit-hole1607

infuneral1610

mool1610

inhumate1612

inurna1616

inhume1616

pit1621

tumulate1623

sepulchrea1626

turf1628

underlay1639

urna1657

to lay to sleep, asleep1701

envaulta1745

plant1785

ensepulchre1820

sheugh1839

to put under1879

to lay away1885

1885 M. E. Wilkins in Harper's Mag. Mar. 594/1 It was hardly six months since my poor sister was laid away.

3. transitive. Tanning. To place (hides) flat in a vat to steep in strong tan liquor for a long period, as the final stage in the process of tanning. Also intransitive of the hides. Cf. lay-away n. 1.

ΘΚΠ

society > occupation and work > materials > derived or manufactured material > leather > actions of leather [verb (intransitive)] > undergo tanning

to lay away1885

society > occupation and work > industry > working with specific materials > working with skins > work with skins [verb (transitive)] > convert to leather > specific processes in tanning

pile1773

handle1824

to lay away1885

1885 C. T. Davis Manuf. Leather xix. 368 In tanning heavy upper leather the practice..is to first handle the sides on sticks for ten or twelve days, and then lay them away twice in bark.

1897 C. T. Davis Manuf. Leather (ed. 2) 181 The stock is laid away by being spread out smoothly and upon the bottom of the tanvat, and between each layer there is sprinkled a slight thickness of ground bark.

1897 C. T. Davis Manuf. Leather (ed. 2) 383 After the hides have ‘laid-away’ for a sufficient length of time to extract the tannin partially out of the ‘liquor’.

1901 F. T. Addyman tr. A. M. Villon Pract. Treat. Leather Industry 139 Time required for Laying Away.—The hides are removed from the pit and put back three times so that the tan may be renewed.

1922 A. Rogers Pract. Tanning x. 302 The hides are sometimes rocked throughout the early stages up to the time when they are laid away.

1966 G. H. W. Humphreys Manuf. Sole & Other Heavy Leathers vii. 120 The goods may be laid away, but rarely these days with bark or other ground material as was the practice in former days when ‘layers’ were in general use.

to lay by

1. transitive. = to lay aside at Phrasal verbs; †also = to lay aside at Phrasal verbs.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > inattention > ignoring, disregard > ignore, disregard [verb (transitive)] > dismiss from consideration

to put out of ——a1250

to lay awaya1400

to set asidec1407

to lay by1439

to lay asidec1440

to let (something) walkc1450

to set apart?1473

reject1490

seclude?1531

to let go1535

to put offc1540

to set by1592

sepose1593

to think away1620

to look over ——a1640

prescind1650

seposit1657

decognize1659

inconsider1697

to set over1701

shelf1819

sink1820

shelve1847

eliminate1848

to count out1854

discounta1856

defenestrate1917

neg1987

the mind > possession > relinquishing > casting or laying aside > [verb (transitive)] > as a garment, weapon, etc.

to lay downc1275

to lay awaya1400

to lay asidec1405

to lay by1439

the mind > language > statement > refusal > [verb (transitive)] > dismiss from consideration

forheedc1275

sequesterc1380

forlaya1400

to lay awaya1400

to put, set or lay byc1425

to lay by1439

to lay asidec1440

to set, lay, put apart1477

bar1481

to lay apart1526

to throw out1576

disclude1586

to fling aside1587

to fling away1587

exclude1593

daff1598

to throw by1644

eliminate1850

to write off1861

to filter out1934

slam-dunk1975

the world > existence and causation > creation > destruction > destroy [verb (transitive)] > eradicate or extirpate

fornimOE

to put awaya1382

outroot?a1425

unroot?a1425

out-razec1425

to pluck up1484

avell1530

sweep1560

depopulate1576

ruina1586

assoil1596

to lay aside1596

untop1598

displant1603

float1606

to take off1619

amolish1624

uproota1639

eradicate1647

to lay by1681

to polish off1827

uprend1911

to zero out1951

the world > action or operation > ceasing > cease from (an action or operation) [verb (transitive)]

aswikec975

linOE

beleavec1175

forletc1175

i-swikec1175

restc1175

stutte?c1225

lina1300

blinc1314

to give overc1325

to do wayc1350

stintc1366

finisha1375

leavea1375

yleavec1380

to leave offa1382

refuse1389

ceasec1410

resigna1413

respite?a1439

relinquish1454

surcease1464

discontinue1474

unfill1486

supersede1499

desist1509

to have ado?1515

stop1525

to lay aside1530

stay1538

quata1614

to lay away1628

sist1635

quita1642

to throw up1645

to lay by1709

to come off1715

unbuckle1736

peter1753

to knock off1767

stash1794

estop1796

stow1806

cheese1811

to chuck itc1879

douse1887

nark1889

to stop off1891

stay1894

sling1902

can1906

to lay off1908

to pack in1934

to pack up1934

to turn in1938

to break down1941

to tie a can to (or on)1942

to jack in1948

to wrap it up1949

1439 in Rymer Fœdera (1710) X. 727/2 That Matiere..was so lightly laide by at Arras and noon Inclination shewed therto.

c1585 R. Browne Answere to Cartwright 6 He must..laye by his proofe as vntrue.

1600 W. Shakespeare Much Ado about Nothing v. i. 64 I am forst to lay my reuerence by .

1644 J. Milton Areopagitica 7 Leaving it to each ones conscience to read or to lay by.

1674 J. Ray Coll. Eng. Words 123 The cinder or slag..they take off with a shovel and lay it by.

1681 J. Dryden Absalom & Achitophel 16 These were for laying Honest David by, On Principles of pure good Husbandry.

1709 R. Steele Tatler No. 47. ⁋7 I shall therefore lay by my Drama for some Time.

1736 T. Lediard Life Marlborough I. 118 It was Pity that so able a Man..should be laid by, as useless and forgotten.

1782 W. Cowper Conversation in Poems 246 It views the truth with a distorted eye, And either warps or lays it useless by.

1798 W. S. Landor Gebir i. 51 His buckler and his corslet he laid by.

1867 J. B. Rose tr. Virgil Æneis 233 Lay by your wonted tasks.

2. To put away in store; to store up; to save (money). Also absol.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > possession > supply > storage > store [verb (transitive)] > reserve

reservea1382

keepa1400

sparea1400

savea1450

to put by1568

to put aside1569

to set byc1595

sepose1609

seposit1657

to lay aside1711

to set away1747

to lay by1786

to lay (also put) past1847

to put away1861

1786 R. Burns Poems & Songs (1968) I. 168 A heapet Stimpart, I'll reserve ane Laid by for you.

1825 New Monthly Mag. 16 312 Of her twelve hundred a-year, she regularly lays by two-thirds.

1853 E. Bulwer-Lytton My Novel I. iv. v. 288 It is a great sum,..but I will lay by, as you are kind enough to trust me.

1855 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. IV. xx. 501 Persons who had laid by money would rather put it into the Bank.

1873 H. Spencer Study Sociol. xv. 367 Few of them lay by in anticipation of times when work is slack.

3. To put away for future disposal or for safety.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > possession > supply > storage > store [verb (transitive)] > temporarily

to lay by1719

store1899

1719 D. Defoe Life Robinson Crusoe 238 I perceived..two miserable Wretches dragg'd from the Boats, where it seems they were laid by, and were now brought out for the Slaughter.

1820 J. Keats Isabella in Lamia & Other Poems 75 She wrapp'd it up; and for its tomb did choose A garden-pot, wherein she laid it by.

1893 Field 25 Feb. 297/3 She has not been put afloat yet, but is laid by till open weather sets in.

4. passive. To be ‘laid aside’ by illness (cf. to lay aside 5 at Phrasal verbs).

ΘΚΠ

the world > health and disease > ill health > cause to be ill [verb (transitive)] > restrain by ill health

to lay up1554

to lay by1782

1782 Macqueen in Med. Communications 1 69 They are..seized with a Catarrh.., which rages so fast that in twenty-four hours, every individual..is..laid by.

1825 J. Jamieson Etymol. Dict. Sc. Lang. Suppl. To Lay by, this v., indeed, is used in two forms. ‘He has laid himsell by wi' o'er muckle wark’, he has so overdone himself by improper exertion, that he is laid up. ‘He's laid by’, he is confined by ailment, S.

1889 A. V. Carr Margaret Maliphant I. xii. 237 Father is often laid by, and unable to go round the farm.

5. intransitive (Nautical) = to lay to at Phrasal verbs (to lay to 3 at Phrasal verbs).

ΘΚΠ

society > travel > travel by water > directing or managing a ship > use of sails, spars, or rigging > support (an amount of) sail [verb (intransitive)] > lie to

trya1584

to lie by1623

to lay by1697

to lie to1711

to lay to1798

1697 London Gaz. No. 3287/3 They all laid by a considerable time, and then making Sail stood to the Westward.

1741 S. Speed in Buccleuch MSS (Hist. MSS Comm.) (1899) I. 395 Their not hoisting their colours..and..not laying by for us.

6. To work (a crop or field) for the last time, before leaving it to grow without further husbandry. U.S.

ΘΚΠ

the world > food and drink > farming > cultivation or tillage > cultivate or till [verb (transitive)] > cultivate for last time

to lay by1759

1759 J. Gordon Jrnl. 12 July in William & Mary Coll. Q. Hist. Mag. (1902) 11 106 Mowing oats & laying by corn.

1784 J. F. D. Smyth Tour U.S.A. II. 127 I was also accustomed to sow a quantity of faulty wheat..in my tobacco grounds, when I gave them the last ploughing, or laid them by.

1831 J. M. Peck Guide for Emigrants ii. 154 To use the phrase of the country [Illinois], the corn is then [after suckering, in early July] ‘laid by’, and the leisure and lazy season of the farmer commences.

1835 J. W. Monett in J. H. Ingraham South-West II. App. 285 The ploughing generally ceases and the crop is ‘laid by’ about the last of July.

1868 14th Ann. Rep. Iowa State Agric. Soc. 1867 158 The ground should be thoroughly rolled;..then lay by with barshear plow.

1947 Democrat 25 Dec. 3/4 This year when the corn was ‘laid-by’ the crotalaria came up voluntarily.

to lay down

1. transitive. To put (something that one is holding or carrying) down upon the ground or any other surface; to put off, discard (a garment, armour). to lay down (one's) arms: to surrender.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > possession > relinquishing > casting or laying aside > [verb (transitive)]

to let awaya1000

forcast?c1225

to lay downc1275

forthrow1340

flita1375

removea1382

to cast away1382

understrewc1384

castc1390

to lay awaya1400

to lay asidec1440

slingc1440

warpiss1444

to lay from, offc1480

way-put1496

depose1526

to lay apart1526

to put off1526

to set apart1530

to turn up1541

abandonate?1561

devest1566

dispatch1569

decarta1572

discard1578

to make away1580

to fling away1587

to cast off1597

doff1599

cashier1603

to set by1603

moult1604

excuss1607

retorta1616

divest1639

deposit1646

disentail1667

dismiss1675

slough1845

shed1856

jettison1869

shake1872

offload1900

junk1911

dump1919

sluff1934

bin1940

to put down1944

shitcan1973

the world > space > place > placing or fact of being placed in (a) position > place or put in a position [verb (transitive)] > put or lay down

allayOE

seta1000

to lay downc1275

to put downa1382

to set downa1400

deposec1420

to sit down1600

depositate1618

deposit1749

ground1751

plank1859

the mind > possession > relinquishing > casting or laying aside > [verb (transitive)] > as a garment, weapon, etc.

to lay downc1275

to lay awaya1400

to lay asidec1405

to lay by1439

the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > providing with clothing > undressing or removing clothing > undress or remove clothing [verb (transitive)] > take off clothing

to do offeOE

to lay downc1275

to weve offc1290

stripc1320

doffa1375

loose1382

ofdrawa1393

casta1400

to take offa1400

warpa1400

to cast offc1400

to catch offc1400

waivec1400

voidc1407

to put off?a1425

to wap offc1440

to lay from, offc1480

despoil1483

to pull offc1500

slip1535

devest1566

to shift off1567

daff1609

discuss1640

to lay off1699

strip1762

douse1780

shuffle1837

derobe1841

shed1858

skin1861

peel1888

pull1888

the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > downward motion > causing to come or go down > cause to come or go down [verb (transitive)] > lay or put down

to lay downc1275

to set netherc1275

to put downa1382

submit1543

down1595

society > armed hostility > defeat > suffer defeat [verb (transitive)] > surrender (a town, etc.)

yield1297

ayield1450

render1481

surrender1509

capitulate1610

to lay down (one's) arms1659

to ground arms1855

c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 2528 Leie [c1300 Otho ley] a-dun þin hære-scrud & þinne rede sceld. and þi sper longe.

a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 3296 Mi hernes dun heir did i lai.

c1405 (c1390) G. Chaucer Reeve's Tale (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 165 Lay doun thy swerd, and I wol myn alswa.

c1480 (a1400) St. Peter 224 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) I. 13 I did as myn moder saide, In þe corn myn howk doun lade, and bad it do þat do sulde I.

1560 J. Daus tr. J. Sleidane Commentaries f. ccccxxiij That with al spede they laye downe theyr weapons, and deuise some meanes of concorde.

1659 D. Pell Πελαγος 451 (note) They laid down their arms, and put on mourning.

1848 W. M. Thackeray Vanity Fair lxvii. 618 She laid down the cup of tea.

1890 T. F. Tout in F. Y. Powell et al. Hist. Eng. III. 142 Eighteen thousand French soldiers laid down their arms to the raw army that had defeated them at Baylen.

2. transitive. To resign, relinquish (office, power, dignity, hopes, etc.; †also absol. = to retire from office, etc.); †to discard, cease to bear (a name), discontinue, ‘drop’ (a custom, fashion); †to give up the wearing or use of.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > language > naming > give a name to [verb (transitive)] > discard (name)

to lay downc1275

the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > disadvantage > uselessness > non-use > refrain from using [verb (transitive)] > cease to use

leaveeOE

to lay downa1450

abuse1471

disuse1487

to leave off1570

sink1705

to put down1733

to hang up (one's sword, gun, etc.)1826

the mind > possession > relinquishing > relinquish or give up [verb (transitive)] > specific something abstract

forgivec1175

repealc1390

remit1394

disgorgea1523

to lay down1611

degorge1622

ungive1645

to give over1674

society > authority > office > withdrawing from or vacating office > vacate office [verb (intransitive)]

resign1395

recede1452

retirec1598

to take, lay down, resign the fascesa1625

to go out1642

to sing one's nunc dimittis1642

to make one's bowa1656

to lay down1682

to swear off1698

vacate1812

to send in one's papers1872

to step down1890

to stand down1926

society > occupation and work > lack of work > [verb (intransitive)] > vacate an office or position > resign

resign1395

resignate1531

to go out1642

to lay down1682

to swear off1698

to turn up1819

to pull the pin1860

to send in one's papers1872

to step down1890

to snatch it or one's time1941

society > authority > office > withdrawing from or vacating office > vacate (office) [verb (transitive)]

to leave up1422

depone1533

surcease1552

dimit1563

demit1567

abdicate1570

to lay downa1715

vacate1850

society > occupation and work > lack of work > [verb (transitive)] > resign (an office or position)

resigna1387

to leave up1422

depone1533

surcease1552

dimit1563

demit1567

to lay downa1715

ankle1936

c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 1020 Þa leodene..leiden adun þene noma & Trinouant heo nemneden.

c1330 (?a1300) Sir Tristrem (1886) l. 1187 Tristrem he gan doun lain And seyd tramtris he hiȝt.

a1450 Knt. de la Tour (1868) 62 Ladyes..that..hadde highe hornes, the whiche the holy man beganne to reprove, and yeue diuerse ensaumples to make hem to be layde doun.

1568 in J. Kinsley Poems W. Dunbar (1979) 138 In hairt be blyth and lay all dolour doun.

1577 W. Harrison Descr. Eng. (1877) ii. xii. i. 236 Horne in windows is quite laid downe in euerie place.

1611 J. Speed Hist. Great Brit. ix. xiii. 606/1 Those consultations of the Laity were laid downe.

1682 N. Luttrell Diary in Brief Hist. Relation State Affairs (1857) I. 176 There is a discourse..that the lord chanceller will lay down, and be succeeded by the lord cheif justice Pemberton.

1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Æneis xi, in tr. Virgil Wks. 552 What Hopes you had in Diomede, lay down.

a1715 Bp. G. Burnet Hist. Own Time (1724) I. 461 They [sc. the clergy] seemed now to lay down all fears and apprehensions of Popery.

1715 J. Addison Spectator No. 556. ¶1 Upon laying down the Office of Spectator.

1720 D. Defoe Life Capt. Singleton 221 It was a good Retreat for those that were willing to leave off, and lay down.

1778 S. Johnson Let. 3 July (1992) III. 118 He has laid down his coach, and talks of making more contractions of his expence.

1826 W. Scott Woodstock vii Will he lay down his power?

3. transitive. To place in a recumbent or prostrate position. Often reflexive (†in early use conjugated with to be). †Also, to bring to bed of a child (cf. 2 above).

ΘΚΠ

the world > space > relative position > posture > action or fact of lying down or reclining > lie down or recline [verb (transitive)] > lay down or cause to lie down

layc1175

to lay downc1250

coucha1375

the world > life > source or principle of life > birth > confinement > confine or deliver [verb (transitive)]

bestowc1320

light?a1425

laya1500

to lay downa1500

to bring abed1523

to bring to bed, abeda1533

?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 213 Hwen þe heorte..leið hire seolf dunewart buweð him as he bit.]

c1250 Old Kent. Serm. in Old Eng. Misc. (1872) 32 Ure lord was i-leid him don to slepe.

a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 15675 Ful buxumli he laid him don apon þat erth bare.

1481 W. Caxton tr. Hist. Reynard Fox (1970) 97 Tho wente he and leyd hym doun vnder a tre in the grasse.

a1500 (?c1450) Merlin v. 88 She is now leide down in hir bedde of a childe male.

1535 Bible (Coverdale) Psalms iv. 8 Therfore wil I laye me downe in peace, & take my rest.

1623 W. Shakespeare & J. Fletcher Henry VIII i. iii. 40 The slye whorsons Haue got a speeding tricke to lay downe Ladies.

1781–3 W. Cowper Verses by A. Selkirk 50 The sea~fowl is gone to her nest, The beast is laid down in his lair.

1791 W. Cowper tr. Homer Odyssey in Iliad & Odyssey II. x. 64 Around my head Winding my mantle, [I] lay'd me down below.

1816 C. Wolfe Burial Sir J. Moore 29 Slowly and sadly we laid him down.

4. transitive. To put down (money) as a wager or a payment; †to pay (a debt).

ΘΚΠ

society > leisure > entertainment > pastimes > betting > bet on [verb (transitive)] > bet (money, etc.)

laya1300

wed1362

to lay downc1430

setc1460

jeopardc1470

wage1484

holda1500

pary?a1505

to stake down1565

stake1591

gagec1598

bet?a1600

go1607

wagera1616

abet1617

impone1702

sport1706

stand1795

gamble1813

parlay1828

ante1846

to put on1890

plunge1919

society > trade and finance > payment > pay money or things [verb (transitive)] > lay down money

to lay down1560

lay1572

to tell down1600

consign1633

deposita1640

post1821

society > trade and finance > payment > payment of debt > pay debt [verb (transitive)]

quit?c1225

acquita1250

to pay up1434

satisfy1437

discharge1439

defease1480

persolve1548

solve1558

defray1576

affray1584

clear1600

to pay off1607

extinguish1630

to lay downa1640

wipe1668

settle1688

sink1694

retrieve1711

to clear up1726

balance1740

liquidate1755

to clear off1766

square1821

amortize1830

c1430 J. Lydgate London Lyckpeny in Minor Poems (Percy Soc.) Lay down your sylver, and here you may speede.

1464–5 Manners & Househ. Exp. Eng. (Roxb.) 487 Paid to Robart Klerke that he leid doune, xijd.

1560 J. Daus tr. J. Sleidane Commentaries f. ccxlvj^v Besydes those..Dukates, whyche he hathe alreadye defrayde, [he] shall laye downe as muche more at Venise.

1583 C. Hollyband Campo di Fior 137 What shall we laye downe? What shall we stake?

1622 J. Donne Lett. (1651) 230 He writ to me that 8¹ would discharge him, and that M^r Selden would lay down half.

a1640 P. Massinger & J. Fletcher Very Woman ii. i. 10 in P. Massinger 3 New Playes (1655) I have done nothing..that may justly claim A title to your friendship, and much less Laid down the debt, which..not I, but mankind Stands bound to tender.

1692 R. L'Estrange Life Æsop in Fables (1708) 15 Lay down the Money upon the Nail, and the Business is done.

5. transitive. To sacrifice (one's life).

ΚΠ

1611 Bible (King James) John x. 15, xv. 13.

1781 W. Cowper Expostulation 536 To waste thy life in arms or lay it down In causeless feuds.

1862 Temple Bar 6 190 Ready..to lay down fortune, freedom, and perhaps life itself, for their sake.

6. transitive †To put down, overthrow (obsolete). Also Nautical of wind or sea: To make (a vessel) lie on her side.

ΘΚΠ

society > armed hostility > victory > make victorious [verb (transitive)] > conquer or overcome

overcomeeOE

shendc893

awinc1000

overwinOE

overheaveOE

to lay downa1225

mate?c1225

discomfitc1230

win1297

dauntc1300

cumber1303

scomfit1303

fenkc1320

to bear downc1330

confoundc1330

confusec1330

to do, put arrear1330

oversetc1330

vanquishc1330

conquerc1374

overthrowc1375

oppressc1380

outfighta1382

to put downa1382

discomfortc1384

threshc1384

vencuea1400

depressc1400

venque?1402

ding?a1425

cumrayc1425

to put to (also at, unto) the (also one's) worsec1425

to bring or put to (or unto) utterance1430

distrussc1430

supprisec1440

ascomfita1450

to do stress?c1450

victorya1470

to make (win) a conquest1477

convanquish1483

conquest1485

defeat1485

oversailc1485

conques1488

discomfish1488

fulyie1488

distress1489

overpress1489

cravent1490

utter?1533

to give (a person) the overthrow1536

debel1542

convince1548

foil1548

out-war1548

profligate1548

proflige?c1550

expugnate1568

expugn1570

victor1576

dismay1596

damnify1598

triumph1605

convict1607

overman1609

thrash1609

beat1611

debellate1611

import1624

to cut to (or in) pieces1632

maitrise1636

worst1636

forcea1641

outfight1650

outgeneral1767

to cut up1803

smash1813

slosh1890

ream1918

hammer1948

the world > action or operation > prosperity > success > mastery or superiority > have or gain mastery or superiority over [verb (transitive)] > overcome or overwhelm > completely or overthrow

shrenchc897

allayOE

fellOE

quellOE

to bring to the groundc1175

forlesec1200

to lay downa1225

acastc1225

accumberc1275

cumber1303

confoundc1330

overthrowc1375

cumrayc1425

overquell?c1450

overwhelvec1450

to nip in (also by, on) the head (also neck, pate)?a1500

prostrate1531

quash1556

couch1577

unhorse1577

prosternate1593

overbeata1616

unchariot1715

floor1828

quench1841

to knock over1853

fling1889

to throw down1890

steamroller1912

wipe1972

zonk1973

a1225 Leg. Kath. 773 Ȝef me is ileuet þurh mi leoue lauerd for to leggen ham adun.

c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 277 A londe & a watere he heom adun leaide [c1300 Otho leide].

1340 R. Rolle Pricke of Conscience 4415 He [Antichrist] sal drawe til hym bathe lered and lewed, And crysten law sal be doun layde.

c1380 J. Wyclif Wks. (1880) 10 Lest here ypocrisie be parceyued and here wynnynge and worldly fame leid a-doun.

a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1871) III. 237 Foure þowsand of Spartanes fil uppon hem and leyde adoun and slouȝ of hem þre dayes to gidres.

1745 P. Thomas True Jrnl. Voy. South-Seas 24 A raging Sea took us..with that Violence that it..laid down the Ship in a Manner quite on her Side.

7. transitive. To construct (roads, railways, ships). Also to lay down a keel.

ΘΚΠ

society > occupation and work > industry > building or constructing > build or construct [verb (transitive)]

timbera900

workOE

betimberOE

craftOE

buildc1275

lifta1300

stagec1330

upraise1338

wright1338

edifya1340

to make outa1382

to make upa1382

biga1400

housea1400

risea1400

telda1400–50

to work upa1450

redress1481

levy1495

upmake1507

upbuild1513

exstruct?c1550

construct1663

to run up1686

practise1739

to lay up1788

elevate1798

to put up1818

to lay down1851

practicate1851

1851 Official Descriptive & Illustr. Catal. Great Exhib. IV. 1127 Levelling instrument..intended..for laying down railroads and highways.

1884 Leeds Mercury 15 Nov. 6/6 It is not..intended to lay down any new ironclads at present.

1890 T. F. Tout in F. Y. Powell et al. Hist. Eng. III. 240 Brunel laid down the Great Western.

1897 Daily News 23 Jan. 3/5 Her keel will be laid down in the course of a week or two.

8. transitive. To establish, formulate definitely (a principle, rule); to prescribe (a course of action, limits, etc.). to lay down the law: to declare what the law (with regard to something) is; hence colloquial to make dogmatic statements, esp. in argument.

ΘΚΠ

society > authority > command > command or bidding > command [verb (transitive)] > ordain, prescribe, or appoint

asetc885

teachc897

deemc900

ashapea1000

i-demeOE

setc1000

shiftc1000

stevenOE

redeOE

willOE

lookc1175

showc1175

stablea1300

devise1303

terminea1325

shapec1330

stightlea1375

determinec1384

judgea1387

sign1389

assize1393

statute1397

commanda1400

decree1399

yarka1400

writec1405

decreetc1425

rule1447

stallc1460

constitute1481

assignc1485

institute1485

prescribec1487

constitue1489

destinate1490

to lay down1493

make?a1513

call1523

plant1529

allot1532

stint1533

determ1535

appointa1538

destinec1540

prescrive1552

lot1560

fore-appoint1561

nominate1564

to set down1576

refer1590

sort1592

doom1594

fit1600

dictate1606

determinate1636

inordera1641

state1647

fix1660

direct1816

the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > absence of doubt, confidence > assured fact, certainty > making certain, assurance > assure, make certain [verb (transitive)] > make firm, establish

i-fastc950

tailc1315

terminea1325

foundc1394

stablish1447

terminate?a1475

tailyec1480

to lay down1493

ascertain1494

bishop1596

salve1596

pitch1610

assign1664

determinate1672

settle1733

to set at rest1826

definitize1876

cinch1900

society > authority > [verb (intransitive)]

to give (the) law (to)a1225

reignc1325

to rule the roastc1500

to bear (the) rooma1529

to have, bear, carry, strike the stroke1531

to bear (a or the) sway1549

to bear a (also the) rout1550

(to have) swing and sway1552

to rule the rout1570

master1656

carry1662

to lay down the law1762

to rule the roost1769

to carry (also hold) (big) guns1867

the mind > mental capacity > belief > expressed belief, opinion > extreme opinion, dogmatism > assert dogmatically [verb (intransitive)]

dogmatize1611

to lay out1748

to lay down the law1762

pontificate1818

pundit1940

1493 Festiall (1496) 1 b Holy chirche leyth downe songes of melody as Te deum lau. Gloria in excelsis.

1592 A. Day 2nd Pt. Eng. Secretorie sig. K3, in Eng. Secretorie (rev. ed.) I haue determined..vnder this Narratorie..title, to lay downe my limites.

1629 J. Earle Micro-cosmogr. (ed. 5) xxvii. sig. F4 Hee layes you downe a hundred wild plots, all impossible things.

1676 J. Glanvill Ess. iii. 13 Laying down Rules for solving some Cubick and Biquadratick Equations.

1712 G. Berkeley Passive Obed. §16. 20 If the Criterion we have laid down, be True.

a1715 Bp. G. Burnet Hist. Own Time (1724) I. 273 He assured him he would pay the debt: But did not lay down any method of doing it.

1762 S. Foote Orators i. 7 I tell thee what, Ephraim, if thee can'st but once learn to lay down the law, there's no knowing what thee may'st rise.

1765 W. Blackstone Comm. Laws Eng. I. 238 We may now be allowed to lay down the law of redress against public oppression.

1845 J. R. McCulloch Treat. Taxation i. iv. 131 It may be safely laid down that at all times a considerable number of occupiers of land are losing by their business.

1860 J. Tyndall Glaciers of Alps ii. xv. 308 He laid down the conditions of the problem with perfect clearness.

1866 A. Trollope Belton Estate II. vii. 170 She endeavoured to..lay down for herself a line of conduct.

1885 R. C. Praed Affinities I. ix. 206 He was in the midst of an argument,..and was laying down the law in this fashion.

9. transitive. To set down or mark out (a plan) on paper; to delineate; †to describe (a geometrical figure).

ΘΚΠ

society > communication > representation > a plastic or graphic representation > graphic representation > represent graphically [verb (transitive)] > a geometrical figure

erect1660

to lay down1669

construct1715

traverse1905

society > communication > representation > a plastic or graphic representation > graphic representation > drawing plans or diagrams > make plan or diagram of [verb (transitive)]

to set down in plat1508

to plat forth1556

delineate1579

plot1588

plat1589

trace1599

to line outa1616

lineament1638

to lay down1669

design1697

plan1734

draught1828

1669 S. Sturmy Mariners Mag. i. 31 How to lay down a Triangle in a Circle.

1669 S. Sturmy Mariners Mag. v. 6 After you have taken the Angles..You must Protract or lay down the Figure.

1697 W. Dampier New Voy. around World xvi. 448 Many shoals..that are not laid down in our Drafts.

1793 J. Smeaton Narr. Edystone Lighthouse (ed. 2) §99 I was..laying down the measures of the rock upon paper.

1817 W. Scott Search after Happiness iii If Rennell has it not, you'll find, mayhap, The isle laid down in Captain Sindbad's map.

1853 Jrnl. Royal Agric. Soc. 14 i. 101 A map on which the drains of each field are laid down.

1890 T. F. Tout in F. Y. Powell et al. Hist. Eng. III. 292 He now laid down clearly the island groups of the North Pacific.

†10. transitive. To put down in writing; to treat of. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

society > leisure > the arts > literature > art or occupation of writer or author > be the author of or write (a work) [verb (transitive)] > express in written work or write about

writeOE

inditea1340

pena1527

pursue1558

to lay down1583

discur1586

paper1594

style1605

word1613

exercisea1616

bescribble1643

describble1794

bewrite1875

1583 P. Stubbes Second Pt. Anat. Abuses sig. I8^v I will laye downe vnto you some such corruptions and abuses, as seeme to be inormous.

1634 W. Wood New Englands Prospect To Rdr. sig. A3^v I have laid downe the nature of the Country, without any partiall respect unto it.

1659 D. Pell Πελαγος 131 I have laid down some of my thoughts about this word, They that go down.

1756 S. Johnson Observ. State of Affairs in Lit. Mag. July–Aug. 161 It is then a proper time..to lay down with distinct particularity what rumour always huddles in general exclamations, or perplexes by undigested narratives.

†11. transitive. to lay down by: to consider together with.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > discovery > comparison > compare [verb (transitive)]

evenOE

comparisonc1374

measurea1382

remenec1390

compare1509

confer?1531

to lay togethera1568

lay1577

paragona1586

paragonize1589

set1589

sympathize1600

confront1604

to name on (also in) the same day1609

collate1612

to lay down by1614

sampler1628

to set together1628

matcha1649

run1650

vie1685

to put together1690

1614 W. Raleigh Hist. World i. i. iii. §15. 64 Lay downe by those pleasures and benefits the fearfull and dangerous thunders and lightnings,..with other inconueniences, and then there will be found no comparison betweene the one and the other.

12. transitive. To ‘run and fell’ (a seam); to trim, embroider. Obsolete or archaic.

ΘΚΠ

the world > textiles and clothing > textiles > textile manufacture > manufacture textile fabric or that which consists of > sewing or ornamenting textile fabric > sew or ornament textile fabric [verb (transitive)] > trim

to lay on1563

to lay down1611

1611 R. Cotgrave Dict. French & Eng. Tongues Rentraire, to lay in, or lay downe, a seame.

c1650 Johnnie Armstrong vi, in F. J. Child Eng. & Sc. Pop. Ballads (1889) III. vi. 369 Ye shall every one have a velvet coat, Laid down with golden laces three.

1820 W. Scott Monastery II. ii. 33 A scarlet cloak, laid down with silver lace three inches broad.

13. transitive. Agriculture. To convert (arable land) into pasture; to put under grass, etc. Const. in, to, under, with.

ΘΚΠ

the world > food and drink > farming > cultivation or tillage > cultivation of plants or crops > cultivation of specific crops > [verb (transitive)] > crop with grass or hay > close meadow to grow hay

to lay in1600

to lay down1608

to shut up1765

to put up1892

1608 in N. Riding Rec. (1884) I. 122 For converting and laying down of 60 acres of arrable land in pasture.

1743 Sel. Trans. Soc. Improvers Knowl. Agric. Scotl. 52 It is a prodigious Error to overcrop Ground, before laying it down with Grass-seeds.

1789 Trans. Soc. Arts (ed. 2) 1 88 Seeds for laying down arable land to grass.

1844 Jrnl. Royal Agric. Soc. 5 i. 64 The land is laid down with red or white clover.

1845 Jrnl. Royal Agric. Soc. 5 ii. 446 This ground was laid down with oats and grass.

1845 Jrnl. Royal Agric. Soc. 6 ii. 528 14 acres laid down under gorse.

1879 T. H. S. Escott England I. 59 Much of this land has been newly laid down to grass.

14. transitive. To store (wine) by putting it away in cellars.

ΘΚΠ

the world > food and drink > drink > manufacture of alcoholic drink > wine-making > [verb (transitive)] > store wine or stock cellar

maintain1480

belay1562

wine1647

to lay down1839

bin1841

the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > neck-wear > [adjective] > collar > turn-down

fall-down1741

laid-down1839

to lay down1839

lay-over1852

1839 C. Dickens Nicholas Nickleby xxxvii. 359 That was laid down when Mr. Linkinwater first come, that wine was.

1878 W. Besant & J. Rice By Celia's Arbour I. xv. 209 A generous flow of port, of which every respectable Briton then kept a cellar, carefully labelled and laid down years before.

†15. transitive. To cause to subside; to pacify, appease. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > the earth > weather and the atmosphere > weather > fine weather > [verb (transitive)] > make (the weather or elements) calm

stillOE

lown1513

pacifya1522

to lay down1563

strew1594

lull1680

society > society and the community > dissent > absence of dissension or peace > bringing about concord or peace > bring to peace (strife or discord) [verb (transitive)] > appease or propitiate

soft?c1225

queema1325

appeasec1374

pleasea1382

softena1382

mollifya1450

pacifya1500

apeace1523

temper1525

mitigatea1535

qualify?c1550

thaw1582

propitiate1583

aslake1590

smooth1608

to lay down1629

addulce1655

sweeten1657

acquiesce1659

gentle1663

palliate1678

placate1678

conciliate1782

to pour oil on the waters (also on troubled waters)1847

square1859

square1945

1563 W. Fulke Goodle Gallerye Causes Meteors iii. f. 19^v For who can affirme from whence it [wind] was raysed, or where it is layde downe.

1629 J. Earle Micro-cosmogr. (ed. 5) xxxiv. sig. G5 A man quickly fired, and quickly laid downe with satisfaction.

16. transitive. Printing. ‘To put pages on the stone for imposition’ (Jacobi Printer's Vocab. 1888). Also (see second quot.).

ΚΠ

1825 T. C. Hansard Typographia 411 Having disposed, or ‘laid down’, the pages in this right order.

1825 T. C. Hansard Typographia 769 To lay down a gathering, is to place the several heaps, with their signatures following each other, upon benches or forms of a proper height.

17. transitive. To deposit and fix (a coating). Also of a paving material. Hence, to cover (a surface) with something.

ΘΚΠ

the world > space > relative position > condition of being external > covering > coating or covering with a layer > coat or cover with a layer [verb (transitive)]

lay?a1366

overlaya1400

coverc1400

sheeta1616

glidder1631

candy1639

face1648

to do over1700

coat1753

candify1777

bed1839

to lay down1839

overcoat1861

the world > space > relative position > condition of being external > covering > coating or covering with a layer > coat or cover with a layer [verb (transitive)] > apply as a coating

to lay down1839

1839 Penny Cycl. XIII. 95/1 The composition, which is elastic and very flexible, may be immediately laid down upon the japanned surface.

1894 A. Conan Doyle Mem. Sherlock Holmes 225 The corridor..was laid down with a kind of creamy linoleum.

18. transitive. Horse Racing slang. to lay himself (or simply lay) down to his work: of a horse, etc., to put all his strength into a race.

ΚΠ

1885 W. D. Howells Rise Silas Lapham ii. 48 The mare..understood the signal, and, as an admirer said, ‘she laid down to her work’.

1893 Illustr. Sporting & Dramatic News 20 May 375/1 He never seemed to fairly lay himself down to his work, and..Thomas won as he liked.

19. intransitive. To give up or submit; to break down or cease to act; to fail; to retire or withdraw. U.S.

ΚΠ

1898 Scribner's Mag. 23 453/2 I swear I hate to lay down to such a nincompoop.

1901 S. Merwin & H. K. Webster Calumet ‘K’ 64 You've never had to lay down yet, and you don't now.

1911 H. S. Harrison Queed vii. 87 Your body's got to carry your mind around, and if it lays down on you [etc.].

1923 R. D. Paine Comrades Rolling Ocean x. 193 ‘Any water leaking in?’ ‘A trickle under the floor, but the bilge pump will take care of it unless she lays down on me.’

1923 R. D. Paine Comrades Rolling Ocean xvii. 293 You stand by me and I won't lay down on you.

1927 Cleveland Press 4 Feb. Offered him a bribe to ‘lay down’ on the prosecution of George J. McKay, alleged arch-swindler.

20. transitive. To set up or establish (a certain beat). Jazz slang.

ΘΚΠ

society > leisure > the arts > music > musical sound > duration of notes > proportion of notes or rhythm > [verb (transitive)] > mark rhythm or measure > establish beat

to lay down1950

1950 R. P. Blesh & H. Janis They all played Ragtime viii. 149 The backwoods pianists ‘laid down the beat’ and ‘stacked the blues’.

1950 R. P. Blesh & H. Janis They all played Ragtime x. 194 He laid down a terrific stomp.

1959 ‘F. Newton’ Jazz Scene vi. 104 The ‘rhythm section’ laid down a rock-firm beat.

1968 Melody Maker 6 Apr. 8/4 The soloist can play anything he chooses to play on the time that I lay down for him.

1968 Blues Unlimited Sept. 23 Preston..takes a few vocals, and lays down some swinging rhythm guitar.

to lay forth

†1. To stretch out in a prostrate position; to bring out and display openly.

ΘΚΠ

society > communication > manifestation > showing to the sight > show to the sight [verb (transitive)]

to set beforea1000

openOE

showlOE

to put forth?c1225

kithe1297

to make (a) showing ofc1330

presenta1398

representa1398

to lay forthc1420

splayc1440

discovera1450

advisea1500

to set to (the) show?1510

to stall out1547

outlay1555

exhibit1573

strew1579

wray1587

displaya1616

ostentate1630

elevate1637

re-exhibita1648

expound1651

unveil1657

subject1720

flare1862

skin1873

patent1889

showcase1939

the world > space > relative position > posture > action or fact of stretching body > stretch [verb (transitive)] > specific part of body

reacheOE

stretcha1000

to-spreada1000

warpa1225

spreada1275

putc1390

straightc1400

to lay forthc1420

outstretcha1425

tillc1540

extend1611

to rax out1622

to stick out1663

overreach1890

society > leisure > the arts > literature > style of language or writing > copiousness > express copiously [verb (transitive)] > expatiate upon

dilate1393

amplifya1400

paraphrase1644

to lay forth1692

expatiate1859

c1420 Chron. Vilod. (Horstm.) 1840 For alle thyng as forthe redy þerto y-leyde.

c1430 Hymns Virg. 76 Now mote y leie forþ my necke, For deeþ his swerd out haþ lauȝte.

1535 Bible (Coverdale) 1 Macc. iii. 48 They..layde forth the bokes of the lawe.

1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene i. Proem sig. A2 Lay forth out of thine euerlasting scryne The antique rolles, which there lye hidden still.

1630 Order in R. Griffiths Ess. Jurisdict. Thames (1746) 65 No Fisherman..shall at any Time hereafter ship their Draw-Nets..into their Boats, before such Time as they have laid forth all their whole Net.

1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost iv. 259 Grots and Caves..o're which the mantling Vine Layes forth her purple Grape.

†2. To put or bring forward in argument or the like; to expound; to make patent; to expose. Also reflexive to expatiate upon.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > testing > debate, disputation, argument > putting forward for discussion > put forward [verb (transitive)] > use as argument

to lay forthc1405

adduce?a1425

object1536

argue1652

floora1687

the mind > mental capacity > intelligibility > meaning > explanation, exposition > expound, explain [verb (transitive)]

arecchec885

unloukOE

overrunOE

sutelec1000

trahtnec1000

unfolda1050

belayc1175

openc1175

onopena1200

accountc1300

undo?a1366

remenea1382

interpret1382

unwrap1387

exploitc1390

enlumine1393

declarec1400

expoundc1400

unplait?c1400

enperc1420

planea1425

clearc1440

exponec1440

to lay outc1440

to give (also carry) lightc1449

unwind1482

expose1483

reducea1500

manifest1530

explicate1531

explaina1535

unlock?1536

dilucidate1538

elucidate1538

illustrate1538

rechec1540

explicate1543

illucidate1545

enucleate1548

unsnarl1555

commonstrate1563

to lay forth1577

straighten1577

unbroid1577

untwist1577

decipherc1586

illuminate1586

enlighten1587

resolvec1592

cipher1594

eliquidate1596

to take (a person) with one1599

rivelc1600

ravel1604

unbowel1606

unmist1611

extricate1614

unbolta1616

untanglea1616

enode1623

unperplexa1631

perspicuate1634

explata1637

unravel1637

esclarea1639

clarify1642

unweave1642

detenebrate1646

dismystery1652

undecipher1654

unfork1654

unparadox1654

reflect1655

enodate1656

unmysterya1661

liquidatea1670

recognize1676

to clear upa1691

to throw sidelight on1726

to throw (also cast, shed) light on (also upon)1731

eclaircise1754

irradiate1864

unbraid1880

predigest1905

to get (something) straight1920

disambiguate1960

demystify1963

society > communication > manifestation > disclosure or revelation > disclose or reveal [verb (transitive)]

unwryc825

unhelec1000

to draw forthc1175

unhillc1200

to bring forth?c1225

unsteekc1250

let witc1275

uncovera1300

wraya1300

knowc1300

barea1325

shrivec1374

unwrapc1374

again-covera1382

nakena1382

outc1390

tellc1390

disclosea1393

cough1393

unhidea1400

unclosec1400

unhaspc1400

bewrayc1405

reveal1409

accusea1413

reveil1424

unlocka1425

unrekec1425

disclude?1440

uncurec1440

utter1444

detect1447

break1463

expose1483

divinec1500

revelate1514

to bring (also put) to light1526

decipher1529

rake1547

rip1549

unshadow1550

to lay to sight1563

uppen1565

unlace1567

unvisor?1571

resign1572

uncloak1574

disshroud1577

spill1577

reap1578

unrip1579

scour1585

unharboura1586

unmask1586

uncase1587

descrya1591

unclasp?1592

unrive1592

discover1594

unburden1594

untomb1594

unhusk1596

dismask1598

to open upc1600

untruss1600

divulge1602

unshale1606

unbrace1607

unveil1609

rave1610

disveil1611

unface1611

unsecret1612

unvizard1620

to open up1624

uncurtain1628

unscreen1628

unbare1630

disenvelop1632

unclothe1632

to lay forth1633

unshroud1633

unmuffle1637

midwife1638

dissecret1640

unseal1640

unmantle1643

to fetch out1644

undisguise1655

disvelop1658

decorticate1660

clash1667

exert1692

disinter1711

to up with1715

unbundlea1739

develop1741

disembosom1745

to open out1814

to let out1833

unsack1846

uncrown1849

to bring (out) in (also into) the open1861

unfrock1866

disbosom1868

to blow the lid off1928

flush1950

surface1955

to take or pull the wraps off1964

society > leisure > the arts > literature > style of language or writing > copiousness > express copiously [verb (transitive)] > expatiate upon

dilate1393

amplifya1400

paraphrase1644

to lay forth1692

expatiate1859

c1405 (c1390) G. Chaucer Man of Law's Tale (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 115 Many a subtil reson forth they leyden.

1577 H. I. tr. H. Bullinger 50 Godlie Serm. I. i. i. sig. A.j/2 I will..lay foorthe vnto you..those things, which a godly man ought to thinke.

1633 Bp. J. Hall Plaine Explic. Hard Texts ii. 191 Those wonderful mercies of God, which have been now laid forth unto you.

1665 J. Spencer Disc. Vulgar Prophecies Pref. sig. A3^v, in Disc. Prodigies (ed. 2) The present Undertaking to lay forth the impostures wrapt up in this..instance of Enthusiasm.

1692 R. L'Estrange Fables (1708) xiii. 16 [The Fox] lays himself forth upon the Gracefulness of the Raven's Person [etc.].

†3. To spend, expend, lay out. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

society > trade and finance > management of money > expenditure > spend [verb (transitive)]

aspendc885

doOE

spendc1175

spenec1175

dispendc1330

bewarec1374

bestow1377

suckc1380

unpursea1393

warea1417

stowc1440

to lay outc1449

spone1456

expend1477

expend1484

impendc1486

ware?a1513

deburse?1529

disburse1530

defray1543

unburse1570

outlay1573

to lay forth1584

sweat1592

vent1612

dispursea1616

exhaust1616

to set forth1622

waste1639

depursea1648

fence1699

douse1759

shut1797

shift1923

1584 in J. Barmby Churchwardens' Accts. Pittington (1888) 16 Item laid forthe by the said churchwardens, the xxvij day of June for fower lams, vjs. ijd.

1633 Bp. J. Hall Plaine Explic. Hard Texts i. 318 Shee shall not..lay up treasure for the inriching of her selfe, but shall distribute it rather, and lay it forth for the benefit..of Gods Saints.

1649 Liberties & Customes of Myners C He shall pay 4s. for the twelve mens dinners, and the Barmaster to lay forth the mony.

4. ? To spread out with a view to ornament; to deck, array. Now dialect. Cf. to lay out 10 at Phrasal verbs.

ΚΠ

1656 Disc. Auxiliary Beauty 115 How do they exclaime..against braiding or laying forth, and powdering, or colouring their haire?

1868 J. C. Atkinson Gloss. Cleveland Dial. Laid out, Laid forth, Decked out, arrayed, ‘got up’.

to lay in

1. transitive. See simple senses and in n.¹ †to lay in an oar, mentioned as an accompaniment of setting sail; also absol. (in quot. c1300). to lay in the oars: to unship them.

ΚΠ

c1300 Havelok (Laud) (1868) 718 Sone dede he leyn in an ore, And drou him to þe heye se.

c1400 (?c1380) Patience l. 106 Þay layden in on laddeborde & þe lofe wynnes.

1485 W. Caxton tr. Thystorye & Lyf Charles the Grete sig. bvij/2 Whan the thorne was drawen fro the crowne, he took hys syght, and whan it was layed in ageyn he recouuerd his heeryng.

1599 George a Greene sig. E4 [Shoemaker speaks in the road] Stay till I lay in my Tooles.

1769 W. Falconer Universal Dict. Marine Transl. French Terms Leve-rame!, Unship the oars! the order to the rowers to lay in their oars.

1867 W. H. Smyth & E. Belcher Sailor's Word-bk. Lay in the oars, unship them from the rowlocks, and place them fore and aft in the boat.

2. To place in store; to provide oneself with a stock of. Also said of ‘taking in’ food; hence absol. to feed vigorously (now vulgar). †Also occasionally to put stores into, stock (a place).

ΘΚΠ

the world > food and drink > food > consumption of food or drink > eating > processes or manners of eating > eat via specific process [verb (intransitive)] > eat heartily

to lay in1579

to fall aboard——1603

to eat (also work) like a horse1707

to play a good knife and fork1809

tuck1810

stoke1882

to mug up1897

the mind > possession > supply > provide or supply (something) [verb (transitive)] > lay in a supply of

to fet ina1556

to lay in1662

store1719

to get in1869

to turn down1891

the mind > possession > supply > provide or supply (something) [verb (transitive)] > provide or supply (a person or thing) with anything > stock (a place, etc.) with something

fillOE

store1264

pitchc1300

stuffc1386

fretc1400

replete?a1425

enstorea1450

engrange1480

plenish1488

freightc1503

people1581

stocka1640

stack1652

bestore1661

to lay in1662

1579 L. Tomson tr. J. Calvin Serm. Epist. S. Paule to Timothie & Titus 297/2 If a man bee giuen to quaffing and laying in, he careth not..howe other be prouided for.

1625 F. Bacon Ess. (new ed.) 200 And to be Laid in, and Stored vp, and then Deliuered out in Proportion.

1662 W. Gurnall Christian in Armour: 3rd Pt. 179 We see in a Town besieged, though it be well laid in with Corn..what streights they are soon put to.

1677 in Hist. MSS Comm.: 12th Rep.: App. Pt. V: MSS Duke of Rutland (1889) 37 in Parl. Papers (C. 5889–II) XLIV. 393 I have laid you in some beare.

1698 J. Fryer New Acct. E.-India & Persia 246 They observe this Maxim, Always to lay in Ballast, they eating heartily.

1709 J. Addison Tatler No. 131. ⁋3 A great Magazine of Wines that he had laid in before the War.

1855 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. III. xv. 589 The rustic Jacobites were laying in arms.

1864 T. Carlyle Hist. Friedrich II of Prussia IV. xvi. xi. 438 So soon as we have horses, it will not appear strange that we lay in a little hay.

1889 ‘R. Boldrewood’ Robbery under Arms vii Then..the eggs and bacon—my word! how Jim did lay in.

†3. To put in (a claim). Also absol.

ΘΚΠ

society > morality > dueness or propriety > [verb (intransitive)] > put forward a claim

claim1303

to call upon ——1472

represent1498

to lay in1603

to lay claim toa1616

title1633

society > morality > dueness or propriety > [verb (transitive)] > claim > make (a claim)

to lay in1710

1603 R. Knolles Gen. Hist. Turkes 123 The countie of Tripolis laied in for himselfe, that hee was descended from Raymund of Tholous.

1710 J. Addison Whig Examiner No. 5. ⁋2 After this short preface by which..I lay in my claim to be a Politician, I shall enter on my discourse.

1734 in N. Bouton Provinc. Papers New-Hampsh. (1870) IV. 842 There is a new Church erected at the South end of Boston and they are laying in for Mr. Brown.

1747 tr. Mem. Nutrebian Court I. x. 169 She applied to the then acting ministers, laying in her claim to her principality.

†4. intransitive. To scheme or exert oneself to do something. to lay in for: to make one's object, lay oneself out for, exert oneself to gain. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > endeavour > make an attempt or endeavour [verb (intransitive)] > strive or struggle

hiec888

to stand inc1175

wrag?c1225

wrestle?c1225

stretcha1375

strivec1384

pressc1390

hitc1400

wring1470

fend15..

battle1502

contend?1518

reluct1526

flichter1528

touse1542

struggle1597

to lay in1599

strain?1606

stickle1613

fork1681

sprattle1786

buffet1824

fight1859

the world > action or operation > endeavour > attempt [verb (transitive)] > attempt to obtain or attain

to found toOE

keepc1000

seekc1000

throwa1393

minta1400

intentc1450

to try for1534

sue1548

attempt?c1550

reachc1571

assay1595

put1596

to lay in for1599

climba1616

captate1628

court1639

obseek1646

solicit1717

to make a bid for1885

1599 E. Sandys Europæ Speculum (1629) 178 There is scant any office or estate can fall void, but they lay in by all meanes to get into it.

1642 D. Rogers Naaman 502 If thou lay in for faith, come with an heart empty of other thoughts.

1681 J. Dryden Absalom & Achitophel To Rdr. p. i If I happen to please the more Moderate sort, I shall be sure of..the best Judges..And, I confess, I have laid in for those, by rebating the Satyre..from carrying too sharp an Edge.

5. transitive (Agriculture). To enclose or reserve (a meadow) for hay. Cf. to lay up 2 at Phrasal verbs (b).

ΘΚΠ

to lay in1600

to lay down1608

to shut up1765

to put up1892

1600 Sc. Acts Jas. VI (1816) IV. 228/1 Þatt all persones quha hes teillit..ony pairt..of his maiesteis..or vtheris commounteis..That they within ȝeir & day..lay in the samyn commounteis agane.

1701 W. Kennett Cowell's Interpreter (new ed.) sig. R^vb, at Falcatura Meadows hay'd, or laid in for Hay.

1851 Jrnl. Royal Agric. Soc. 12 ii. 387 The proportion of hay is not great, the meadows are ‘laid in’ in April and May.

6. Horticulture (a) To place in position (the new wood of a trained tree). (b) (See quot. 1898.)

ΘΚΠ

the world > food and drink > farming > gardening > management of plants > [verb (transitive)] > train

rail?1387

trail1398

train?1440

conduct1477

to lay in1802

espalier1810

trellis1818

set1845

1802 W. Forsyth Treat. Fruit-trees ii. 31 It is too common a practice to lay-in the shoots at full length.

1890 R. D. Blackmore Kit & Kitty III. xiv. 185 I can lay a tree in straight enough, but I am out of my line telling things.

1898 Wright & Dewar Johnson's Gardener's Dict. 548/2 Laying-in is a gardener's term for training the branches of espaliers and wall-trees. Laying-in-by-the-heels is his mode of describing a plant's having the roots roughly buried in the soil for some temporary purpose.

7. Printing. (See quot. 1683.)

ΚΠ

1683 J. Moxon Mech. Exercises II. Dict. 383 When the Press-man lays Sheets on the Tympan, it is stiled Laying in Sheets.

†8. ? To put (hounds) into cover. Obsolete.

ΚΠ

1735 W. Somervile Chace ii. 150 Here, Huntsman, bring..all thy jolly Hounds, And calmly lay them in.

9. To paint (a picture or some of its parts) in the first unfinished stage.

ΘΚΠ

society > leisure > the arts > visual arts > painting and drawing > painting > art of colouring > colour [verb (transitive)] > lay on a colour > lay on preparatory layer

dead-colour1658

to lay in1676

1676 C. Beale Pocket-bk. in H. Walpole Vertue's Anecd. Painting (1763) III. i. 74 Moneys paid my son Barth. for work, laying in the draperys of his mother's pictures.

a1806 J. Barry in R. N. Wornum Lect. on Painting (1848) 215 Painting upon a darkish ground..will..tend to..destroy the purity..of all your lighter tints, particularly if you do not employ a great body of colour in the laying them in.

1859 G. A. Sala Gaslight & Daylight ii. 24 The whitewasher..is summoned to ‘lay in’ the great masses of colour.

1886 Pall Mall Gaz. 8 Oct. 4/2 An artist ‘laid in’ a picture for an amateur, who muddled on with it for awhile and got it accepted at the Academy, but the artist who had laid the picture in was himself rejected.

†10. To lay (a cloth); = sense 35b. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > food and drink > food > setting table > [verb (transitive)]

layc1300

spreadc1300

setc1386

servec1405

cover1563

to lay in1788

lie1809

fix1842

1788 G. Colman Ways & Means i. i. 4 The cloth is laid in it for breakfast.

†11. To ‘run and fell’ (a seam). Obsolete.

ΚΠ

1611 [see to lay down 12 at Phrasal verbs].

12. To deliver, ‘get in’ (a blow); to shed, ‘turn on’ (tears).

ΘΚΠ

the world > movement > impact > striking > strike [verb (transitive)] > deal or give (a stroke or blow)

setc1300

smitec1300

layc1330

drivec1380

slentc1380

hit?a1400

to lay ona1400

reacha1400

fetchc1400

depart1477

warpc1480

throw1488

lenda1500

serve1561

wherret1599

senda1627

lunge1735

to lay in1809

wreak1817

to get in1834

1809 B. H. Malkin tr. A. R. Le Sage Adventures Gil Blas I. ii. ii. 188 Jacintha was by his bed-side, laying in her tears by wholesale.

1809 B. H. Malkin tr. A. R. Le Sage Adventures Gil Blas III. vii. i. 17 I had no sooner laid in this home stroke [etc.].

1864 T. Carlyle Hist. Friedrich II of Prussia IV. xv. xiii. 204 A sharp brush of fighting; not great in quantity, but laid in at the right moment.

13. To discontinue working (a colliery). Also, to withdraw from use, render inactive.

ΘΚΠ

society > occupation and work > industry > mining > mine [verb (transitive)] > discontinue working (a colliery)

to lay in1846

1846 M. A. Richardson Local Historian's Table-bk. V. 78 Several collieries having been laid in this day.

1894 Standard 25 Apr. 6/5 The effect of the Bill would be, they believed, to lay in one-fifth of all that capital.

1896 Daily News 28 Sept. 7/5 The miners at Haswell Colliery, county Durham, finished bringing their gear to bank on Saturday, and the pits are now laid in.

14. intransitive (Nautical) To come in from the yards after reefing or furling. (Cf. lie in at to lie in 3 at lie v.¹ Phrasal verbs.)

ΚΠ

1860 H. Stuart Novice's or Young Seaman's Catech. (rev. ed.) 46 The outside men will lay out and unclamp the booms,..then lay in again.

to lay off

†1. transitive. To take off, take away; to put off or remove from oneself.

ΘΚΠ

the world > space > place > removal or displacement > remove or displace [verb (transitive)] > remove or take away

ateec885

withbreidec890

animOE

overbearOE

to do awayOE

flitc1175

reavec1175

takec1175

to have away?a1300

to draw awayc1300

weve13..

to wend awaya1325

withdrawa1325

remuec1325

to carry away1363

to take away1372

waive1377

to long awaya1382

oftakec1390

to draw offa1398

to do froa1400

forflitc1420

amove?a1425

to carry out?a1425

surtrayc1440

surtretec1440

twistc1440

abstract1449

ostea1450

remove1459

ablatea1475

araisea1475

redd1479

dismove1480

diminish?1504

convey1530

alienate1534

retire1536

dimove1540

reversec1540

subtractc1540

submove1542

sublate1548

pare1549

to pull in1549

exempt1553

to shift off1567

retract?1570

renversec1586

aufer1587

to lay offa1593

rear1596

retrench1596

unhearse1596

exemea1600

remote1600

to set off1600

subduct1614

rob1627

extraneize1653

to bring off1656

to pull back1656

draft1742

extract1804

reef1901

the world > space > place > removal or displacement > remove or displace [verb (transitive)] > remove or take away > from the position of being on

latcha1225

off-wevec1300

to take offa1400

to get off1577

to lay offa1593

daff1609

off1826

the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > providing with clothing > undressing or removing clothing > undress or remove clothing [verb (transitive)] > take off clothing

to do offeOE

to lay downc1275

to weve offc1290

stripc1320

doffa1375

loose1382

ofdrawa1393

casta1400

to take offa1400

warpa1400

to cast offc1400

to catch offc1400

waivec1400

voidc1407

to put off?a1425

to wap offc1440

to lay from, offc1480

despoil1483

to pull offc1500

slip1535

devest1566

to shift off1567

daff1609

discuss1640

to lay off1699

strip1762

douse1780

shuffle1837

derobe1841

shed1858

skin1861

peel1888

pull1888

the world > space > relative position > condition of being external > covering > uncovering > uncover or remove covering from [verb (transitive)] > uncover and expose > by withdrawing a cloth, etc.

unlapa1450

unclothe1607

unveil1657

to lay off1699

divest1814

a1593 C. Marlowe Massacre at Paris (c1600) sig. B4 Thou traitor Guise, lay of thy bloudy hand.

1628 H. Reynolds tr. T. Tasso Aminta i. i. sig. B4 Stay for me till I haue in yon fresh fount Layd off the sweat and dust that yesterday I soyld me with.

a1631 J. Donne Serm. (1959) V. 170 Saint Gregory says, that the soule had laid off..all outward ornaments.

1699 A. Boyer Royal Dict. (at cited word) To lay off a Garment, Quitter un habit.

1919 H. L. Wilson Ma Pettengill ii. 46 She took me up to her little bedroom to lay my things off and then down to the parlour.

†2. Nautical. To steer (a ship) away from the shore. Also intransitive, to remain stationary outside a harbour.

ΘΚΠ

society > travel > travel by water > directing or managing a ship > direct or manage ship [verb (transitive)] > set a ship's course > sail away from shore

to lay offa1616

society > travel > travel by water > directing or managing a ship > direct or manage ship [verb (intransitive)] > head in a certain course or direction > remain (stationary) away from shore or ship

to lie off1598

to lay off1781

a1616 W. Shakespeare Tempest (1623) i. i. 47 Lay her a hold, a hold, set her two courses off to Sea againe, lay her off.

1781 T. Jefferson Corr. in Wks. (1859) I. 291 Eight of them had got over the bar, and many others were laying off.

3. To mark or separate off (plots of ground, etc.); to plot out land in some way or for some purpose.

ΘΚΠ

the world > the earth > land > tract > [verb (transitive)] > mark, plot out, divide up land

to lay off1748

1748 G. Washington Jrnl. 30 Mar. This Morning began our Intended business of Laying of [f] Lots.

1762 A. Dickson Treat. Agric. iii. vi. 351 Laying off land, after a very few crops of corn, into grass for pasture.

1795 J. Phillips Gen. Hist. Inland Navigation (rev. ed.) 357 The partial hand of nature has laid off America upon a much larger scale than any other part of the world.

1801 A. Ranken Hist. France I. 442 They..directed that the streets should be laid off obliquely.

1847 Jrnl. Royal Agric. Soc. 8 ii. 370 Care must be taken..to lay off the land in broad flats.

1890 Harper's Mag. Nov. 870/2 Laying parterres off in fanciful designs with little shells.

4. To ‘set off’ (distances) upon a surface.

ΚΠ

1797 Encycl. Brit. XVII. 393/2 Lay off the dimensions of the waste rail found in the table; and..draw a line [etc.].

1859 J. Ruskin Elements Perspective xvii. 79 The dividing points..will lay off distances on the retiring inclined line.

1882 G. M. Minchin Uniplanar Kinematics 2 By laying off the different times along Ox.

5. Shipbuilding. To transfer (plans) from the paper in the full size on the floor of the mould-loft.

ΚΠ

1863 P. Barry Dockyard Econ. 139 The chief draftsman and his assistants ‘lay off’, or draw all the lines on the mould-loft floor, to the full size.

1893 Field 25 Feb. 297/2 I..advise that the boat be ‘laid off’ at full size and batten-faired.

6. Originally dialect and U.S. To discontinue; to discontinue the working of; to dismiss (a workman), usually temporarily. Also intransitive, to take a rest.

ΘΚΠ

society > occupation and work > lack of work > [verb (transitive)] > dismiss or discharge

to put awaya1387

discharge1428

dismiss1477

to put out of wages1542

discard1589

to turn away1602

to put off1608

disemploy1619

to pay off1648

to pay off1651

to turn out1667

to turn off1676

quietus1688

strip1756

trundle1794

unshop1839

shopc1840

to lay off1841

sack1841

drop1845

to give (a person) the shoot1846

bag1848

swap1862

fire1879

to knock off1881

bounce1884

to give (a person) the pushc1886

to give (a person) the boot or the order of the boot1888

bump1899

spear1911

to strike (a medical practitioner, etc.) off the register1911

terminate1920

tramp1941

shitcan1961

pink slip1966

dehire1970

resize1975

to give a person his jotters1990

the world > action or operation > ceasing > temporary cessation of activity or operation > temporarily cease activity or operation [verb (intransitive)] > rest

restOE

to hang up one's hatcheta1350

to latch one's ease, one's leave1377

sabbatize1382

roc1460

repose1494

repause1526

respire1566

respite1587

requiesce1653

to rest (also lie) on one's oars1726

to lay off1841

to rest up1858

spell1880

to lie off1891

society > occupation and work > work > times or periods of work > work at specific times or periods [verb (transitive)] > stop (work)

to lay off1841

strike1891

the world > action or operation > ceasing > cease from (an action or operation) [verb (transitive)] > cause to cease or put a stop to > cause (a thing) to cease action > discontinue the working of

to lay off1841

1841 Jrnl. Royal Agric. Soc. 2 ii. 181 It is removed at intervals, chiefly in frost, when ploughing is laid off.

1863 W. Whitman Specimen Days (1882–3) 41 Some of the men are cleaning their sabres.., some brushing boots; some laying off, reading, writing.

1868 J. C. Atkinson Gloss. Cleveland Dial. Laid off, applied to a person who from illness or other disablement is incapable of working as usual.

1886 H. James Bostonians I. iii. 26 She would expect him to be strenuous in return; but he couldn't—in private life, he couldn't; privacy for Basil Ransom consisted entirely in what he called ‘laying off’.

1888 Daily News 17 Sept. 2/7 One of the leading works in the district at Darlington has been laid off by a strike.

1892 Nation (N.Y.) 25 Aug. 135/1 To give notice of intention to ‘lay off’ any hands in their employ.

1897 W. D. Howells Landlord Lion's Head 65 When the husbands come up Saturday nights, they don't want to go on a tramp Sundays. They want to lay off and rest.

1955 Times 6 June 7/2 But in the course of this week stocks in some factories will begin to run out. Workers will have to be laid off.

1970 G. Greer Female Eunuch 242 The lowest paid employees can be and are laid off.

1972 Daily Tel. 1 Feb. 2/7 A pay strike by 500 clerical workers..has caused the company to lay off 2,500 car assembly workers.

7. (See quot. 1901.)

ΘΚΠ

society > occupation and work > industry > decorating and painting > decorate [verb (transitive)] > paint > other painting processes

to lay off1901

roller coat1935

paint-spray1967

rag-roll1969

1901 J. Black Illustr. Carpenter & Builder Ser.: Home Handicrafts 43 What painters term ‘laying off’, that is to say, going over the work with the brush uncharged with paint and with strokes all in one direction.

1945 C. H. Eaton in Practical Painter & Decorator iii. 90 The laying off should be vertical, that is, from ceiling to floor.. on walls, and parallel with the main source of light on ceilings.

1951 Good Housek. Home Encycl. 65/1 Do not attempt to ‘lay off’ or brush out the distemper as with paint or varnish.

1963 W. Tee Painting & Decorating x. 77 Finally, you lay-off, which means brushing in the direction of the grain if you are painting wood, or in the longest direction if you are painting a metal gutter or pipe.

8. To desist from (doing something); to abstain from or stop using (something); to stop bothering or pestering (a person). Also intransitive, frequently as imperative: cut it out! stop it!

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > ceasing > cease from (an action or operation) [verb (transitive)]

aswikec975

linOE

beleavec1175

forletc1175

i-swikec1175

restc1175

stutte?c1225

lina1300

blinc1314

to give overc1325

to do wayc1350

stintc1366

finisha1375

leavea1375

yleavec1380

to leave offa1382

refuse1389

ceasec1410

resigna1413

respite?a1439

relinquish1454

surcease1464

discontinue1474

unfill1486

supersede1499

desist1509

to have ado?1515

stop1525

to lay aside1530

stay1538

quata1614

to lay away1628

sist1635

quita1642

to throw up1645

to lay by1709

to come off1715

unbuckle1736

peter1753

to knock off1767

stash1794

estop1796

stow1806

cheese1811

to chuck itc1879

douse1887

nark1889

to stop off1891

stay1894

sling1902

can1906

to lay off1908

to pack in1934

to pack up1934

to turn in1938

to break down1941

to tie a can to (or on)1942

to jack in1948

to wrap it up1949

1908 R. Kipling Lett. to Family ii. 17 The railways..had to find room somewhere..before Nature cried: ‘Lay off!’

1919 Amer. Mag. May 42/2 If you guys don't lay off of me I'll bounce the two of you.

1919 Saucy Stories Aug. 107/2 She..resolved to ‘lay off the bright lights in the future’.

1930 D. Hammett Maltese Falcon xviii. 221 Make him lay off me then. I'm going to fog him if he keeps it up.

1931 E. Linklater Juan in Amer. iii. vii. 259 Lay off that ritzy laugh or I'll sock you.

1934 J. Agate More First Nights (1937) 59 You would think, wouldn't you, that Josephine, having done enough in the way of arousing suspicion, would lay off a little.

1934 P. G. Wodehouse Right ho, Jeeves vi. 60 Lay off the sausages. Avoid the ham.

1936 P. G. Wodehouse Laughing Gas iv. 49 That's all she's after—the title. For heaven's sake, Reggie, lay off while there's still time.

1946 K. Tennant Lost Haven (1947) xix. 316 ‘For God's sake, shut up!.. Lay off, Alec, lay off.’ Alec laid off.

1947 ‘N. Shute’ Chequer Board 62 Aw, lay off, Jim.—You're not in the South now.

1953 J. Trench Docken Dead ii. 21 How does one set about telling one's senior officer to lay off one's friend's wife?

1968 M. Richler in R. Weaver Canad. Short Stories 2nd ser. 160 ‘Oh, lay off,’ my father said. ‘Give the man air.’

1974 D. Gray Dead Give Away vi. 65 I'd lay off stirring up trouble for a bit if I were you.

9. To dispose of, ‘work off’.

ΚΠ

1926 J. Black You can't Win x. 130 I was sent out with about seventy-five dollars in silver coin to lay off for paper or gold.

10. Nautical and Aeronautics. To indicate (on a chart, etc.), to work out (a course). Cf. course n. 12.

ΘΚΠ

society > travel > travel by water > directing or managing a ship > direct or manage ship [verb (transitive)] > work out a course

to lay off1942

society > travel > air or space travel > action of flying (in) aircraft > navigation of course of aircraft > navigate aircraft [verb (transitive)] > work out course on chart

to lay off1942

1942 Tee Emm (Air Ministry) 2 83 Always lay off Q.D.M.'s and Q.D.Y.'s as true bearings on your chart.

1943 ‘T. Dudley-Gordon’ Coastal Command 17 Drawing pencil lines which lay off courses of ships and aircraft, and indicate areas under patrol or to be searched.

1961 F. H. Burgess Dict. Sailing 131 Lay off a course, work out a proposed course on a chart.

11. Of a bookmaker: to insure against a substantial loss resulting from (a large bet) by placing a similar bet with another bookmaker.

ΘΚΠ

society > leisure > entertainment > pastimes > betting > bet on [verb (transitive)] > insure a bet

to lay off1951

1951 E. Kefauver Crime in Amer. (1952) xvi. 184 The Nevada bookies also protect themselves by laying off their biggest bets with out-of-state operators.

1974 New Yorker 25 Feb. 72 An outside man..runs along the line of bookies and keeps an eye on the odds and lays off some of the money.

to lay on

1. transitive. To impose (an injunction, penalty, tax); †to bestow (a name) upon. (In early use with dative pronoun as in 2.)

ΘΚΠ

society > authority > command > command or bidding > command [verb (transitive)] > impose

setc888

layOE

to lay on11..

enjoin?c1225

join1303

adjoina1325

cark1330

taxa1375

puta1382

impose1581

aggravate1583

fasten1585

clap1609

levy1863

octroy1865

society > authority > subjection > obedience > compulsion > compel [verb (transitive)] > force or impose something upon

to lay on11..

join1303

taxa1375

intruse?a1500

oversetc1500

beforcec1555

impose1581

threap1582

fasten1585

intrude1592

thrust1597

enforcea1616

forcea1616

entail1670

top1682

trump1694

push1723

coerce1790

press1797

inflict1809

levy1863

octroy1865

wish1915

the mind > language > naming > give a name to [verb (transitive)] > give (a name)

setc1000

shapeOE

to lay onc1450

imposec1500

clap1609

11.. Anglo-Saxon Chron. anno 1052 (Laud) Þe folc geald heom swa mycel swa hi heom on legden.

c1175 Lamb. Hom. 31 Bluðeliche he wule herkein þet þe preost him leið on.

a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 3994 Sal ic non wurð mugen forð-don, Vten ðat god me leið on.

c1450 H. Lovelich Merlin 988 (Kölbing) What name they scholden leyn hym vppon.

1813 Gentleman's Mag. May 429/2 I think laying on a tax would greatly enrich the public purse.

1833 Act 3 & 4 William IV c. 46 §64 The meeting is for the purpose of laying on an assessment.

1881 S. R. Gardiner & J. B. Mullinger Introd. Study Eng. Hist. i. x. 185 Charles I had used the special powers entrusted to him..to lay on ship-money.

2. intransitive. To deal blows with vigour; to make vigorous attack, assail. (Formerly often with dative pronoun denoting the object of attack.)

ΘΚΠ

society > armed hostility > attack > attack [verb (intransitive)]

to lay ona1225

assailc1325

sailc1330

assemblea1375

to fall inc1384

to fall ona1387

givec1430

brunt1440

to set (all) on sevenc1440

to ding on1487

to fall down1534

offend1540

to go on1553

to give on?1611

to let fly1611

strikea1616

insult1638

to set on1670

aggress1708

to carry the war into the enemy's camp1791

hop over1929

the world > movement > impact > striking > beating or repeated striking > beat [verb (intransitive)] > specifically a person

to lay ona1225

to dust a person's jacket1630

to brush one's coat for him1665

to give (one) sock(s)1699

pepper1829

lam1875

beast1990

a1225 Juliana 17 Leggeð on se luðerliche on hire leofliche lich.

c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 6840 Mid sweorde leggeð [c1300 Otho legge] heom on.

c1330 Arth. & Merl. 8445 (Kölbing) He laid on wiþ schourge and bad hir go.

c1380 Sir Ferumbras (1879) l. 1533 Lokeaþ þat ȝe legge hem an & sleþ hem a-doun wyþ myȝt.

a1420 T. Hoccleve De Regimine Principum 1102 He dremeth theeues comen in And on his cofres knokke, & leye on faste.

1480 W. Caxton Chron. Eng. (1482) ccxliv. 299 Our men of armes..leyde on with stakes.

1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 601/2 Laye on, lay on upon the jade.

1598 R. Grenewey tr. Tacitus Annales i. viii. 14 They..laide them on with stripes.

a1616 W. Shakespeare Macbeth (1623) v. x. 33 Lay on Macduffe, And damn'd be him, that first cries hold, enough.

1693 J. Dryden tr. Juvenal in J. Dryden et al. tr. Juvenal Satires iii. 51 Answer, or Answer not, 'tis all the same: He lays me on, and makes me bear the blame.

1697 J. Vanbrugh Provok'd Wife iv. 51 He came at us..and laid us on with a great Quarter-Staff.

1836 F. Marryat Mr. Midshipman Easy I. xii. 182 The pleasure of thrashing his enemy..was quite enough—and he laid well on.

1842 T. B. Macaulay Battle Lake Regillus in Lays Anc. Rome 117 I will lay on for Tusculum, And lay thou on for Rome!

1882 E. A. Freeman in W. R. W. Stephens Life & Lett. E. A. Freeman (1895) II. 267 I fancy people will lay on more zealously for either of the extremes.

3. transitive. To inflict (blows); to ply (the lash) vigorously. Also to lay it on (in quot. figurative).

ΘΚΠ

the world > movement > impact > striking > strike [verb (transitive)] > deal or give (a stroke or blow)

setc1300

smitec1300

layc1330

drivec1380

slentc1380

hit?a1400

to lay ona1400

reacha1400

fetchc1400

depart1477

warpc1480

throw1488

lenda1500

serve1561

wherret1599

senda1627

lunge1735

to lay in1809

wreak1817

to get in1834

a1400 Octovian 1061 Ley on strokes with good empryse.

14.. Libeaus Desconus 2056 (Kaluza) Ley on strokes swifte.

1619 F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher King & No King iv. sig. H1 You haue paid me equall Heauens, And sent my owne rod to correct me with..Lay it on, Iustice, till my soule melt in me.

1656 R. Baxter Reformed Pastor iii. i We disgrace them to the utmost, and lay it on as plainly as we can speak.

1732 H. Fielding Mock Doctor viii Those blows..which I was oblig'd to have the honour of laying on so thick upon you.

1892 Field 26 Nov. 799/3 A stirrup leather well laid on.

†4. intransitive. To set oneself vigorously (to do something).

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > undertaking > beginning action or activity > begin action or activity [verb (intransitive)] > resolutely or energetically

to go to it1490

busklea1535

settle1576

to lay on1587

to put in (also get into) one's gearsa1658

to put (occasionally lay, set) one's shoulder to the wheel1678

yark1721

to get going1822

to pitch in1835

to roll up one's sleeves1838

square1849

to clap on1850

to wire in (also away)1864

to dig in1884

hunker1903

tie into1904

to get cracking1937

to get stuck in1938

to get weaving1942

to get it on1954

1587 G. Turberville Tragicall Tales f. 20^v The hungry dogs..Layde on as fast her fleshye flankes to teare.

5. to lay (it) on: †(a) to be lavish in expense (obsolete); (b) to pile on the charge for goods, etc.

ΘΚΠ

society > trade and finance > charges > [verb (intransitive)] > make excessive charges

to lay it ona1593

to stick it into1797

to put it on1843

society > trade and finance > management of money > expenditure > waste of money or extravagance > spend money wastefully or extravagantly [verb (intransitive)]

to lay on load?1562

lavish1567

to bring one's noble to ninepence1568

to lay it ona1593

overspend1857

plunge1876

splash1934

splurge1934

a1593 C. Marlowe Edward II (1594) sig. F4 Thou shalt haue crownes of vs, t'out bid the Barons; And Spenser, spare them not, but lay it on.

1609 W. Shakespeare Troilus & Cressida i. ii. 203 Thers no iesting, thers laying on, takt off, who will as they say, there be hacks.

1611 R. Cotgrave Dict. French & Eng. Tongues Cocher sur la grosse taille, (as wee say) to lay it on, (take it off who as will;) to spend, or borrow, exceeding much.

1612 Sir C. Mountagu in Buccleuch MSS (Hist. MSS Comm.) (1899) I. 239 Here is..much preparations at this wedding for masks..one of eight lords and eight ladies, whereof my cousin An Dudley on[e], and two from the Inner Courts, who the[y] say will lay it on.

a1616 W. Shakespeare Tempest (1623) iii. ii. 154 I would I could see this Taborer, He layes it on .

1699 A. Boyer Royal Dict. (at cited word) I had a good Fortune, and laid on to some Tune, as long as it lasted.

6. To apply a coat of (paint, varnish, etc.) to a surface. Hence in to lay (it) on thick, with a trowel, to be excessive in flattery, eulogy, etc.

ΘΚΠ

society > occupation and work > industry > decorating and painting > decorate [verb (transitive)] > paint > apply coat of paint

dispaint1590

to lay ona1616

a1616 W. Shakespeare As you like It (1623) i. ii. 99 Well said, that was laid on with a trowell.

a1616 W. Shakespeare Twelfth Night (1623) i. v. 229 Tis beauty truly blent, whose red and white, Natures owne sweet, and cunning hand laid on .

a1616 W. Shakespeare Winter's Tale (1623) v. iii. 49.

1660 F. Brooke tr. V. Le Blanc World Surveyed 379 Pulverized Gold lay'd on with gumme.

1839 Penny Cycl. XIII. 95/1 The colours are tempered with oil and varnish, and the metallic powders laid on with gold size.

1842 J. Gwilt Encycl. Archit. ii. iii. 587 All the first coats of plastering are laid on with this tool.

1871 B. Jowett in tr. Plato Dialogues II. 43 Dyers first prepare the white ground and then lay on the dye of purple.

1893 Law Times 94 452/1 It is nauseous to hear the adulation of Mr. Neville, who laid butter on with a spade.

7. Agriculture. Of cattle: To ‘put on’, increase in (flesh); also absol.

ΘΚΠ

the world > animals > mammals > group Ungulata (hoofed) > group Ruminantia (sheep, goats, cows, etc.) > bos taurus or ox > [verb (transitive)] > put on weight

to lay on1807

1807 R. Southey Lett. from Eng. I. v. 58 All the fat being laid on, as graziers speak, anew.

1808 C. Vancouver Gen. View Agric. Devon viii. 229 This animal would lay on from the middle of May until the middle of November, about two score per quarter.

1840 Jrnl. Royal Agric. Soc. 1 iii. 333 Well-bred sheep..lay on flesh quick.

8. Printing. To place the sheets of paper on the type to be printed. †Hence, to print an edition of (so many copies); intransitive of a bookseller, ? to bespeak a number of copies from a printer (obsolete).

ΚΠ

1576 in E. Arber Transcript Reg. Company of Stationers 1554–1640 (1875) II. 137 Licenced vnto him the praise of follie to print not aboue xv^c of any impression with this condicon that any of the cumpany may laie on with him reasonablie at euery impression as they think good.

1683 J. Moxon Mech. Exercises II. Dict. 383 Lay on, a phrase used for the Number of Books to be Printed. Thus they say, There is 1000, 2000, 3000, &c. Laid on.

1849 Chambers's Information for People (new ed.) II. 720/1 No alteration has been made in the manner of ‘laying on’ the paper.

9. To put (dogs) on the scent. Cf. 15h. Also transferred in jocular use.

ΘΚΠ

the world > food and drink > hunting > hunting with hounds > hunt with hounds [verb (transitive)] > put on scent

re-lay1590

to put (formerly also lay) (a dog) on the scenta1616

to lay on1655

put1673

to throw in1686

to cast hounds1781

lay1781

to throw on1815

1655 T. Fuller Church-hist. Brit. iii. 53 Such hounds are easier laid on, then either rated, or hollowed off.

1861 C. Dickens Great Expectations III. iv. 68 How long we might have remained in this ridiculous position it is impossible to say, but for the incursion of three thriving farmers—laid on by the waiter, I think—who came into the coffee-room.

1861 W. M. Thackeray Four Georges iv. 186 But now I am ashamed to mount and lay good dogs on, to summon a full field, and then to hunt the poor game.

1863 C. Kingsley Water-babies ii. 68 Bring the dog here, and lay him on.

1879 G. A. Sala Paris herself Again I. xvii. 276 The oldest waiters..had seemingly been ‘laid on’ to attend on the guests.

1891 Field 7 Nov. 696/2 No horsemen got forward with the stag before the hounds were laid on.

†10. To trim, embroider. Cf. to lay down 12 at Phrasal verbs. Also, to place (thread) on a material before couching it down with a separate thread.

ΘΚΠ

to lay on1563

to lay down1611

couchc1405

clock1521

nerve1532

re-embroider1659

herringbone1787

hem-stitcha1839

wavela1844

to lay on1880

darn1882

faggot1883

feather-stitch1884

overcast1891

clox1922

needlepoint1975

1563 J. Foxe Actes & Monuments 1668/2 His ierkin was layde on with gold lace fayre and braue.

1880 L. Higgin Handbk. Embroidery i. 8 ‘Japanese gold thread’..must..be laid on, and stitched down with a fine yellow silk.

1906 A. G. I. Christie Embroidery & Tapestry Weaving viii. 166 A bunch of threads may be laid upon the material, and an open chain, buttonhole, or feather stitch worked over in order to fix it in place.]

1959 Chambers's Encycl. V. 155/2 Couching or laid work is a form in which the threads are ‘laid’ on material and couched down with matching or contrasting colour.

11. To provide for the supply of (water, gas, etc.) through pipes from a reservoir; to provide (a telephone line). Hence, to make arrangements for, to provide (refreshments, entertainment, transport, etc.).

ΘΚΠ

the mind > possession > supply > provide or supply (something) [verb (transitive)]

affordOE

findOE

purveyc1300

chevise1340

ministera1382

upholda1417

supply1456

suppeditate1535

perfurnishc1540

previse1543

subminister1576

tend1578

fourd1581

instaurate1583

to find out1600

suffice1626

subministrate1633

affurnisha1641

apply1747

to stump up1833

to lay on1845

to come up with1858

the mind > possession > supply > provide or supply (something) [verb (transitive)] > make provision of > provide a public utility

to lay on1845

1845 Punch 1 Mar. 100/1 Announcing that the water was going to be laid on when it wasn't.

1853 Jrnl. Royal Agric. Soc. 14 i. 153 The water being laid on distributed itself beautifully and evenly over the surface.

1861 Temple Bar 3 23 Fifteen shillings an hour, to say nothing of refreshments laid on gratis and supplied at discretion.

1869 E. A. Parkes Man. Pract. Hygiene (ed. 3) 319 Water in large quantities must be laid on in pipes.

1869 St. Andrews Gaz. 7 Aug. The special wires which the Scotch papers have ‘laid on’ between London and Edinburgh.

1870 C. Dickens Edwin Drood xxii. 170 There is two bedrooms..with gas laid on.

1885 List of Subscribers Exchange Syst. (United Telephone Co.) (ed. 6) 17 At ‘The Clarendon’ in Brighton..they have a telephone laid on.

1909 Chambers's Jrnl. July 477/2 A large supply of hydrogen prepared by a new process is laid on for inflation.

1940 C. Gardner A.A.S.F. 84 Squadron Leader Dodds..said that he'd got my programme..laid on. ‘Laid on’ was the Army term for everything—and I found myself using it.

1944 N. Coward Middle East Diary 103 I was unable to give a concert as the piano..had not been ‘laid on’.

1949 Punch 13 May 636/2 Universities do not exist to lay on degree courses to follow the idiosyncratic requirements of a particular employer.

1959 ‘J. Welcome’ Stop at Nothing ix. 139 As usual he had everything laid on and a car was waiting.

1964 E. O'Brien Girls in Married Bliss vi. 51 He'd have some hatchet-voiced secretary laid on to tell Kate some boring and familiar lie, like that he was in conference.

1971 B. W. Aldiss Soldier Erect 185 Pack your night things in a small pack and get weaving, while I lay on transport.

1973 E. Page Fortnight by Sea xvi. 177 Try and lay some coffee on. Plenty of it. Good and strong.

12. To give (something) to (a person). U.S. slang.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > possession > giving > give [verb (transitive)]

forgivec900

giveOE

besetc1230

deala1250

i-yevec1275

to give (requite, etc.) into one's bosomc1386

yarka1400

wevec1400

yatec1400

administera1425

bequeathc1440

employa1492

exhibit1548

communicate1553

endue1587

cast1612

hand1650

to lay on1942

1942 Amer. Mercury July 86 Lay de skin on me [shake hands], pal!

1952 G. Mandel Flee Angry Strangers 244 He lays some on his buddies 'n they get to like it; right, Buster?

1960 Time & Tide 24 Dec. 1599/3 I've fixed up a real wild basket of ribs and a bottle of juice, and I'd like you to fall by her joint and lay it on her.

1968 New Yorker 18 May 45/2 He..took out a copy of his newest album. He wrote something on the back of it and picked up one of the hotel bills. ‘Let me just lay this album on the man downstairs. Maybe it'll keep him quiet for two or three days.’

1970 It 9 Apr. 8/4 Of course you can't lay advice on someone.

to lay out

1. transitive. To extend at length; to take out and expose to view, to the air, etc.; to spread out in order; to lay so as to project outwards.

ΘΚΠ

the world > space > extension in space > extend [verb (transitive)] > stretch out

stretchc900

astretchc1000

i-stretchec1000

thinc1000

to-tightc1200

reacha1300

spreada1382

extendc1386

to lay outa1400

streeka1400

outstretcha1425

rekea1425

stentc1430

outreach?1440

inch out1878

the world > space > place > removal or displacement > extraction > extract [verb (transitive)] > bring out > and expose

to lay outa1400

bust1896

the world > space > relative position > condition of being external > covering > uncovering > uncover or remove covering from [verb (transitive)] > uncover and expose

unwryc825

bareOE

unhelec1000

uncoverc1390

disclosea1393

to lay outa1400

unhidea1400

declose14..

unbare1530

discover1563

imbear1657

fleece1667

unfence1715

to lay bare1807

to open out1832

strip1839

expose1851

the world > space > shape > unevenness > projection or prominence > project from (something) [verb (transitive)] > cause to project or stretch forth

straightc1400

protend?a1475

shoot1533

raise1568

to set out1573

project1624

protrude1638

to start out1653

penthouse1655

portend1657

to throw out1689

obtend1697

to lay out1748

bumfle1832

out-thrust1855

rank1867

the world > space > relative position > arrangement or fact of being arranged > arrange [verb (transitive)]

stightc825

fadec1020

orderc1225

adightc1275

dightc1275

castc1320

raila1350

form1362

stightlea1375

rayc1380

informa1382

disposea1387

throwc1390

addressa1393

shifta1400

rengea1425

to set forth?c1450

rule1488

rummage1544

marshalc1547

place1548

suit1552

dispone1558

plat1587

enrange1590

draw1663

range1711

arrange1791

to lay out1848

a1400–50 Alexander 778 He layd owt a lang neke & hys hand likkys.

a1513 W. Dunbar Poems (1998) I. 183 Now spring vp, flouris, fra the rute..Lay out ȝour levis lustely.

1535 in Vicary's Anat. Bodie of Man (1888) App. iii. 171 That they may have warnyng to lay owt theyre offall of theyre howses ynto the opon streates.

1580 Sir P. Sidney tr. Psalmes David x. vi O, with how simple look He ofte laieth out his hook!

1619 R. Harris Drunkards Cup 21 They bee buckt with drinke, and then laid out to bee Sunn'd and scornd.

1683 J. Moxon Mech. Exercises II. Dict. 383 Lay out Sheets, When the Press-man takes Sheets off the Tympan, and lays them on the Heap, it is stiled Laying out Sheets.

1748 B. Robins & R. Walter Voy. round World by Anson iii. v. 341 There is a frame laid out from her to windward.

1835 J. Ross Narr. Second Voy. North-west Passage xxxiii. 467 Laying out hawsers to warp her off when this should take place.

1848 W. M. Thackeray Pendennis (1850) I. i. 2 His letters were laid out there in expectation of his arrival.

1859 H. T. Ellis Hong Kong to Manilla 239 Refreshments..were laid out in an adjoining room.

1890 A. Conan Doyle Firm of Girdlestone xxxiii. 265 The deal table..was laid out roughly as for a meal.

2. To stretch out and prepare (a body) for burial; hence (slang) to stretch out in death, to lay low, to ‘do for’; figurative to put ‘hors de combat’; to knock (a person) unconscious; to kill.

ΘΚΠ

the world > life > death > disposal of corpse > preparation or treatment of corpse > prepare corpse [verb (transitive)] > lay out

stretcha1225

streek1303

to lay out1595

composea1677

straight1725

stroke1898

the world > life > death > killing > kill [verb (transitive)]

swevec725

quelmeOE

slayc893

quelleOE

of-falleOE

ofslayeOE

aquellc950

ayeteeOE

spillc950

beliveOE

to bring (also do) of (one's) life-dayOE

fordoa1000

forfarea1000

asweveOE

drepeOE

forleseOE

martyrOE

to do (also i-do, draw) of lifeOE

bringc1175

off-quellc1175

quenchc1175

forswelta1225

adeadc1225

to bring of daysc1225

to do to deathc1225

to draw (a person) to deathc1225

murder?c1225

aslayc1275

forferec1275

to lay to ground, to earth (Sc. at eird)c1275

martyrc1300

strangle1303

destroya1325

misdoa1325

killc1330

tailc1330

to take the life of (also fro)c1330

enda1340

to kill to (into, unto) death1362

brittena1375

deadc1374

to ding to deathc1380

mortifya1382

perisha1387

to dight to death1393

colea1400

fella1400

kill out (away, down, up)a1400

to slay up or downa1400

swelta1400

voida1400

deliverc1400

starvec1425

jugylc1440

morta1450

to bring to, on, or upon (one's) bierc1480

to put offc1485

to-slaya1500

to make away with1502

to put (a person or thing) to silencec1503

rida1513

to put downa1525

to hang out of the way1528

dispatch?1529

strikea1535

occidea1538

to firk to death, (out) of lifec1540

to fling to deathc1540

extinct1548

to make out of the way1551

to fet offa1556

to cut offc1565

to make away?1566

occise1575

spoil1578

senda1586

to put away1588

exanimate1593

unmortalize1593

speed1594

unlive1594

execute1597

dislive1598

extinguish1598

to lay along1599

to make hence1605

conclude1606

kill off1607

disanimate1609

feeze1609

to smite, stab in, under the fifth rib1611

to kill dead1615

transporta1616

spatch1616

to take off1619

mactate1623

to make meat of1632

to turn up1642

inanimate1647

pop1649

enecate1657

cadaverate1658

expedite1678

to make dog's meat of1679

to make mincemeat of1709

sluice1749

finisha1753

royna1770

still1778

do1780

deaden1807

deathifyc1810

to lay out1829

cool1833

to use up1833

puckeroo1840

to rub out1840

cadaverize1841

to put under the sod1847

suicide1852

outkill1860

to fix1875

to put under1879

corpse1884

stiffen1888

tip1891

to do away with1899

to take out1900

stretch1902

red-light1906

huff1919

to knock rotten1919

skittle1919

liquidate1924

clip1927

to set over1931

creasea1935

ice1941

lose1942

to put to sleep1942

zap1942

to take down1967

wax1968

trash1973

ace1975

the world > movement > impact > striking > striking with specific degree of force > strike with specific degree of force [verb (transitive)] > strike severely > so as to render unconscious

to lay out1829

out1896

the world > physical sensation > physical sensibility > physical insensibility > dullness of sense perception > dull (the senses) [verb (transitive)] > stun

asweveOE

stonyc1330

astone1340

astony1340

stouna1400

stounda1400

stuna1400

stoynec1450

dozen1487

astonish1530

benumb1530

daunt1581

dammisha1598

still1778

silence1785

to knock, lay (out), etc., cold1829

to lay out1891

out1896

wooden1904

to knock rotten1919

1595 A. Copley Wits Fittes & Fancies 195 One said to a little child whose father died that morning, and was layd out in a coffin in the Kitchin, Alas, [etc.].

1609 W. Shakespeare Troilus & Cressida ii. iii. 30 If she that layes thee out sayes thou art not a faire course.

1829 Massachusetts Spy 22 July I want to lay out [this candidate] as cold as a wedge.

1848 E. C. Gaskell Mary Barton I. vi. 108 They reverently laid out the corpse—Wilson fetching his only spare shirt to array it in.

1890 A. Barrère & C. G. Leland Dict. Slang II. 9 Galletly was saying, ‘I've laid one out’ to the other prisoners... Witness also saw the knife, and there was blood on it.

1891 Harper's Mag. Oct. 777/2 Hydropathy gave him fits, and eclecticism almost lays him out.

1892 R. L. Stevenson & L. Osbourne Wrecker xxv. 417 He gave the wretched man an opiate that laid him out within ten minutes.

1894 Nation (N.Y.) 22 Nov. 373/2 Never were so many demagogues laid out in one day as in the elections of a fortnight ago.

1894 Daily News 26 May 8/6 If you strike me I will lay you out.

1896 Wells Jrnl. 3 Dec. 7/5 A disposition to ‘injure, maim, and lay out an opponent, especially if he be a valuable element in the opposing team’.

1916 ‘Taffrail’ Pincher Martin xviii. 337 I gits rated up ten days ago,..death vacancy. Poor ole Byles got laid out, yer remember.

1929 J. B. Priestley Good Compan. iii. v. 589 ‘But do you mean to say he was laid out?’ he demanded... ‘On the jaw, I think you said?’

1973 Scotsman 21 Feb. 17/6 When they hit you with the word, cancer, it scares you to death. Boom! You're laid out. But I've learned a lot about cancer since then.

3. To spend, expend (money). Also absol.

ΘΚΠ

society > trade and finance > management of money > expenditure > spend [verb (transitive)]

aspendc885

doOE

spendc1175

spenec1175

dispendc1330

bewarec1374

bestow1377

suckc1380

unpursea1393

warea1417

stowc1440

to lay outc1449

spone1456

expend1477

expend1484

impendc1486

ware?a1513

deburse?1529

disburse1530

defray1543

unburse1570

outlay1573

to lay forth1584

sweat1592

vent1612

dispursea1616

exhaust1616

to set forth1622

waste1639

depursea1648

fence1699

douse1759

shut1797

shift1923

c1449 R. Pecock Repressor (1860) 91 If therto thei han eny expensis bifore leid out and mynystrid.

1486–1504 Let. 7 Jan. in W. Denton Eng. in 15th Cent. (1888) 318 (Note D) Mane men wyll ley owt more to kepe vnder the pore th[en] for to helpe thaym.

1535 Bible (Coverdale) Isa. lv. A Wherfore do ye laye out youre moneye, for the thinge y^t fedeth not.

1598 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 1 iv. ii. 5 Bar. Will you giue me money captaine? Fal. Lay out, lay out.

1615 T. Tomkis Albumazar iii. v. sig. F3^v Lay out some roaring oathes For me; I'le pay thee againe with interest.

a1616 W. Shakespeare Tempest (1623) ii. ii. 32 When they will not giue a doit to relieue a lame Begger, they will lay out ten to see a dead Indian.

1711 R. Steele Spectator No. 54. ⁋2 Most of our Professors never lay out a Farthing either in Pen, Ink, or Paper.

1843 J. W. Carlyle Lett. I. 254 2l. 10s. was more than I cared to lay out of my own money on the article.

1895 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. IV. xx. 471 He laid out all his gains in purchasing land.

†4. To employ or exercise (powers, effort). Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > cause to operate [verb (transitive)] > put in effective operation

yieldc1315

underbear1382

to put forthc1390

showa1398

apply?c1400

to put outc1400

exercisec1405

to put toc1410

employ?1473

enforce1490

exerce1535

adhibit?1538

addict1562

endeavour?1575

work1591

address1598

to give stream to?1611

to lay out1651

exsert1665

exert1682

the mind > will > intention > planning > plan [verb] > plan to do something

lay1573

plota1586

to cast aboutc1590

to put into (also in) practice1592

plat1596

project1600

to lay abouta1618

to lay out1651

plan1718

1651 R. Baxter Saints Everlasting Rest (new ed.) iii. vi. §26. 127 They..should lay out all their strength on the work of God.

1656 T. Burton Diary (1828) I. 24 If you do not lay out your especial endeavours in the things of God.

1665 R. Boyle Occas. Refl. v. i. sig. Ii6^v A mis-expence of his Time or Talents; whether they be laid out upon Speculative Notions in Theology, or [etc.].

1711 J. Addison Spectator No. 98. ¶5 Nature has laid out all her Art in beautifying the Face.

a1715 Bp. G. Burnet Hist. Own Time (1724) I. 190 He..did not lay out his learning with the diligence with which he laid it in.

5. reflexive †To exert oneself in, upon (obsolete); to take measures, frame one's conduct with a view to effecting a purpose or gaining an object. Const. for, to with infinitive.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > endeavour > make an attempt or endeavour [verb (intransitive)]

fanda1225

procurea1325

assay1370

workc1384

to put oneself in pressc1390

purchasec1400

buskc1450

study1483

fend15..

try1534

enterprise1547

to make an attempt?c1550

to give the venture1589

prove1612

nixuriate1623

to lay out1659

essay1715

to bring (also carry, drive, etc.) one's pigs to market1771

to have (or take or give) a crack1836

to make an out1843

to go to market1870

to give it a burl1917

to have a bash (at)1950

the world > action or operation > manner of action > effort or exertion > exert oneself or make an effort [verb (intransitive)]

tillc897

stightlea1375

stretcha1375

wrestlea1382

to put it forthc1390

to put one's hand(s) to (also unto)a1398

paina1400

takea1400

to do one's busy pain (also care, cure, diligence)?a1430

to make great force?c1450

makec1485

to stir one's stumpsa1500

to bestir one's stumps1549

to make work1574

put1596

bestira1616

operate1650

to lay out1659

to be at pains1709

exerta1749

tew1787

maul1821

to take (the) trouble1830

to pull outc1835

bother1840

trouble1880

to buck up1890

hump1897

to go somea1911

1659 C. Noble Moderate Answer 1 The Grandees of our Nation, who laid out themselves to the utmost in their..contrivements for the peace..of their Country.

1678 S. Butler Hudibras: Third Pt. iii. i. 10 Who never fail'd..To lay themselves out, to supplant Each other Cousin-German Saint.

1732 G. Berkeley Alciphron I. v. xx. 307 You shall often see even the learned..Divine lay himself out in explaining Things inexplicable.

1745 Lett. in Rep. Cond. Sir J. Cope (1746) 119 I will lay my~self out to know the Conduct and Conversation of all my Neighbours.

1760 E. Burke Ess. Abridgm. Eng. Hist. 39 If they discovered any provincial laying himself out for popularity.

1809 E. A. Kendall Trav. Northern Parts U.S. II. xlvii. 147 A large proportion of the inhabitants lay themselves out to give entertainment.

1827 C. Wordsworth King Charles I (1828) 140 The running off to quite a different matter..may fairly generate a suspicion, that the writer lays him~self out upon what is easy, and was not wanted.

1880 T. Hardy Trumpet-major II. xxii. 117 Take it careless, my son,..and lay yourself out to enjoy snacks and cordials.

6. intransitive. With for: †To make a search for, look out for (obsolete); to take measures to win or get. Also, to scheme, plan to effect some purpose.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > endeavour > searching or seeking > search for or seek [verb (transitive)] > search about for

to search out?a1400

to look about1536

to feel after ——?1557

study1561

to feel for ——1569

to look out for1578

to lay out1624

to look round1630

to lay about1755

prospect1854

roust1870

to look around1927

1624 T. Davies in H. Ellis Orig. Lett. Eminent Literary Men (1843) (Camden) 140 I..began to lay out for those Books you writ for.

1656 T. Stanley Hist. Philos. II. v. 31 Dionysius laid out to take him, but could not light on him.

1713 J. Swift Jrnl. to Stella 4 Feb. (1948) II. 614 Ldy Masham, who has been laying out for my Acquaintance.

a1715 Bp. G. Burnet Hist. Own Time (1724) I. 396 I laid out for MSS, and searched into all offices.

1751 S. Richardson Rambler No. 97. ⁋12 Women..most observed when they seem themselves least to observe, or to lay out for observation.

1813 P. Hawker Diary (1893) I. 82 I had given up all idea of this buck, having laid out for him since about August 30.

1834 J. H. Newman Parochial Serm. I. x. 150 To be seen of men, to lay out for human praise.

1867 W. D. Howells Ital. Journeys 57 He laid out to go ashore the next time he came to Venice.

7. To display, exhibit, expose; to set forth, expound, demonstrate. ? Now rare.

ΘΚΠ

society > communication > manifestation > offering for inspection or consideration > offer for inspection or consideration [verb (transitive)]

i-taechec888

to lay … beforec1000

showlOE

givec1175

to lay outc1440

produce1459

propose1548

cite1549

product1563

broach1573

offer1583

to hold up1604

to bring in1608

project1611

to bring ona1715

to trot out1838

to bring up1868

muster1904

the mind > mental capacity > intelligibility > meaning > explanation, exposition > expound, explain [verb (transitive)]

arecchec885

unloukOE

overrunOE

sutelec1000

trahtnec1000

unfolda1050

belayc1175

openc1175

onopena1200

accountc1300

undo?a1366

remenea1382

interpret1382

unwrap1387

exploitc1390

enlumine1393

declarec1400

expoundc1400

unplait?c1400

enperc1420

planea1425

clearc1440

exponec1440

to lay outc1440

to give (also carry) lightc1449

unwind1482

expose1483

reducea1500

manifest1530

explicate1531

explaina1535

unlock?1536

dilucidate1538

elucidate1538

illustrate1538

rechec1540

explicate1543

illucidate1545

enucleate1548

unsnarl1555

commonstrate1563

to lay forth1577

straighten1577

unbroid1577

untwist1577

decipherc1586

illuminate1586

enlighten1587

resolvec1592

cipher1594

eliquidate1596

to take (a person) with one1599

rivelc1600

ravel1604

unbowel1606

unmist1611

extricate1614

unbolta1616

untanglea1616

enode1623

unperplexa1631

perspicuate1634

explata1637

unravel1637

esclarea1639

clarify1642

unweave1642

detenebrate1646

dismystery1652

undecipher1654

unfork1654

unparadox1654

reflect1655

enodate1656

unmysterya1661

liquidatea1670

recognize1676

to clear upa1691

to throw sidelight on1726

to throw (also cast, shed) light on (also upon)1731

eclaircise1754

irradiate1864

unbraid1880

predigest1905

to get (something) straight1920

disambiguate1960

demystify1963

the mind > mental capacity > belief > expressed belief, opinion > extreme opinion, dogmatism > assert dogmatically [verb (intransitive)]

dogmatize1611

to lay out1748

to lay down the law1762

pontificate1818

pundit1940

c1440 York Myst. xxvi. 251 Ȝoure langage ȝe lay oute to lang, But Judas, we trewly þe trast.

1661 A. Marvell Let. 27 June in Poems & Lett. (1971) II. 33 The kings Counsell is to be heard at our barr to lay out euidence against the kings dead & liuing judges.

1666 S. Pepys Diary 14 July (1972) VII. 205 I wrote..to the Duke of York, laying out our want of money again.

a1715 Bp. G. Burnet Hist. Own Time (1724) I. 214 He..laid out the necessity of raising some more force for securing the quiet of Scotland.

1748 S. Richardson Clarissa V. lxii. 376 Sally was laying out the law, and prating away in her usual dictatorial manner.

1789 C. Smith Ethelinde I. v. 94 Sir Edward..found it doubly delightful to lay out his whole soul in the soft and sensible society of Ethelinde.

1855 A. Bain Senses & Intellect Introd. i. 7 The mode of laying out the subject that has occurred to an able physiologist.

1867 J. A. Froude Short Stud. 1st Ser. I. 2 Laying out his matter as easily..as if he had been talking to us at his own fireside.

8. To apportion (land) for a purpose; to plot or plan out (grounds, streets, etc.).

ΘΚΠ

society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > district in relation to human occupation > town as opposed to country > [verb (transitive)] > plan or develop

to lay outc1608

to set out1673

develop1863

town-plan1911

redevelop1936

c1608 E. M. Wingfield Disc. Virginia in J. Smith Wks. (1884) p.xc I misliked his leying out of our towne.

1632 Accts. St. John's Hosp., Canterbury (Canterbury Cathedral Archives: CCA-U13/5) Layd out on our selues and the land~measurer when we went to..laye out our land.

1689 in Colonial Rec. Pennsylvania (1852) I. 298 An ordr for y^e laying out a Road from Philadelphia to Bucks County.

1705 J. Addison Remarks Italy 1 The Mountains about the Town..laid out in beautiful Gardens.

1799 Scotland Described (ed. 2) 18 Pleasure-grounds have been in many places laid out.

1813 J. Austen Pride & Prejudice II. v. 53 The garden..was large and well laid out .

1840 Jrnl. Royal Agric. Soc. 1 iii. 259 I laid out the drains 30 feet apart.

1855 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. III. xii. 188 Those who laid out the city had never meant that it should be able to stand a regular siege.

1885 Sir J. Bacon in Law Times Rep. 52 509/2 The roads had been laid out, but were not completed.

9. To plan or map out; to set as a task or duty.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > will > intention > planning > plan [verb (transitive)]

forethinkc897

bethinka1225

compass1297

contrivec1330

ordain1340

conjectc1380

imaginec1380

cast1382

ordaina1387

advisec1400

forecast1413

imagec1450

ordainc1450

project1477

foreminda1535

invent1539

aimc1540

practise1550

plat1556

trive1573

meditate1582

patterna1586

plot1589

platform1592

design1594

chew1600

forelay1605

to map out1618

to cut out1619

agitate1629

laya1631

plod1631

cut1645

calculate1654

concert1702

to scheme out1716

plan1718

model1725

to rough out1738

to lay out1741

plan1755

prethink1760

shape1823

programme1834

pre-plan1847

encompass1882

target1948

1741 S. Richardson Pamela III. xxxii. 295 Shall it be as Mrs. B. lays it out, or not?

1868 A. D. Whitney Patience Strong's Outings viii. 97 I know..what she has laid out for herself to do.

1872 W. Black Strange Adventures Phaeton xxxi. 412 In laying out plans for another month's holiday.

1879 M. Pattison Milton ii. 29 Lycidas is laid out on the lines of the accepted pastoral fiction.

†10. To put (false hair) in order. Obsolete. (Cf. to lay forth 4 at Phrasal verbs.)

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > beautification > beautification of the person > beautification of the hair > practice of wearing artificial hair > furnish with artificial hair [verb (transitive)] > arrange

to lay out1580

1580 J. Lyly Euphues & his Eng. (new ed.) f. 115 The hayre they lay out groweth vppon their owne heades.

1656 Disc. Auxiliary Beauty 59 When she laid out the combings of her own or others more youthfull haire when her own..seemed lesse becoming her.

†11. Cards. (Piquet, Écarté, etc.) To discard, throw out (a card or cards) from one's hand.

ΘΚΠ

society > leisure > entertainment > pastimes > game > card game > play a card [verb (transitive)] > actions or tactics

to hold up?1499

decardc1555

to turn up1580

discard1591

pulla1625

to sit out1659

face1674

to make out1680

to lay out1687

to throw away1707

lead1739

weaken1742

carry1744

to take in1744

force1746

to show down1768

throw1866

blank1884

block1884

cover1885

unblock1885

pitch1890

1687 G. Miege Great French Dict. ii. s.v. To lay out his Cards, at Picket, faire son écart.

1728 E. Chambers Cycl. at Picquet If one of the Gamesters find he has not a Court-Card in his Hand, he is to declare he has Carte blanche, and tell how many Cards he will lay out.

†12. intransitive. To incline and project outward. Obsolete.

ΚΠ

1793 J. Smeaton Narr. Edystone Lighthouse (ed. 2) 195 Till the stones are cleared of the boat, the shears lay out considerably.

13. intransitive (Nautical) To occupy a position on a yard towards the yard arms for the purpose of manipulating the sails. (Cf. to lie out at lie v.¹ Phrasal verbs.)

ΚΠ

1829 F. Marryat Naval Officer I. vii. 212 The men laying out on the yards.

1867 W. H. Smyth & E. Belcher Sailor's Word-bk. Laying or Lying out on a yard, to go out towards the yard-arms.

to lay over

1. transitive. To overlay.

ΘΚΠ

the world > space > relative position > condition of being external > covering > cover [verb (transitive)] > spread or draw over (a thing) as covering for > bespread or cover with

wryc950

bredeOE

bridgeOE

bespreadc1275

couchc1330

spreadc1330

cover1382

overspreadc1385

overlaya1400

overcast1440

to draw overc1450

ramplish1494

to lay over1535

1535 Bible (Coverdale) Hab. ii. C It is layed ouer with golde and syluer.

1663 B. Gerbier Counsel to Builders 84 The laying over a Wall, white in oyl, twelve pence a yard.

1698 J. Fryer New Acct. E.-India & Persia 56 Sads, laid over with Boughs.

1732 Ld. Tyrawly in Buccleuch MSS (Hist. MSS Comm.) (1899) I. 381 Crimson velvet, laid all over with gold lace.

2. transitive. U.S. colloquial. To miss, allow to pass by; to postpone; to lay a temporary embargo on.

ΘΚΠ

the world > time > a suitable time or opportunity > untimeliness > delay or postponement > delay [verb (transitive)]

forslowc888

eldc897

forsita940

gele971

lengOE

drilla1300

delayc1300

onfrestc1300

tarryc1320

jornc1330

dretchc1380

defer1382

forbida1387

to put offa1387

to put (also set) (something) in (or on) delaya1393

dilate1399

fordrawa1400

to put overc1410

latch?c1422

adjournc1425

prolongc1425

proloynec1425

rejournc1425

to put in respite1428

sleuthc1430

respitea1450

prorogue1453

refer1466

sleep1470

supersede1482

respectc1487

postpone1496

overseta1500

respett1500

enjourna1513

relong1523

retract1524

tarde1524

track1524

to fode forth1525

tract1527

protract1528

further1529

to make stay of1530

surcease1530

prorogate1534

to fay upon longc1540

linger1543

retard?1543

slake1544

procrastine1548

reprieve1548

remit1550

suspense1556

leave1559

shiftc1562

suspend1566

procrastinate1569

dally1574

post1577

to hold off1580

drift1584

loiter1589

postpose1598

to take one's (own) timea1602

flag1602

slug1605

elong1610

belay1613

demur1613

tardya1616

to hang up1623

frist1637

disjourn1642

future1642

off1642

waive1653

superannuate1655

perendinate1656

stave1664

detard1675

remora1686

to put back1718

withhold1726

protract1737

to keep over1847

to hold over1853

laten1860

to lay over1885

hold1891

back-burner1975

1885 A. Gray Lett. (1893) 772 At Las Vegas, New Mexico, we laid over one train, to rest and see the Hot Springs.

1890 St. Nicholas Mag. Sept. 920/1 I know of tennis matches..that have been laid over for hours because of a sprained ankle.

1890 Standard 20 Nov. 5/2 Great regions were ‘laid over’. They were taboo to the hunter until the fur animals had time to recover themselves.

3. transitive ? U.S. colloquial. To excel, to ‘put in the shade’. Also to lay it over, to get the better of, take advantage of (a person).

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > prosperity > advancement or progress > outdoing or surpassing > outdo or surpass [verb (transitive)] > put in the shade or put to shame

shamec1400

to put down1494

extinguish1551

stain1557

overshadow1581

cloud1582

defacea1592

shend1596

to lay up1601

to shine down1623

dazzle1643

umbrage1647

foila1687

efface1717

eclipse1718

shade?1748

put into the shade1796

to take the shine out of (less frequently from, U.S. off)1819

to put to shame1854

to leave (a person) standing1864

to lay over1869

blanket1884

upstage1921

1869 B. Harte Luck of Roaring Camp (1870) 15 They've a street up there in ‘Roaring’ that would lay over any street in Red Dog.

1880 ‘M. Twain’ Tramp Abroad ii. 37 In scolding..a blue-jay can lay over anything, human or divine.

1911 J. F. Wilson Land Claimers xiii. 179 He let on as how anybody..could lay it all over you.

4. transitive. To turn over.

ΚΠ

1874 2nd Rep. Vermont State Board Agric. 1873–4 188 Unless so rainy as to be impracticable, he lays it all over, thus inverting the cock, and replaces the cap.

to lay to

1. transitive. To place in juxtaposition; to apply (a medicinal remedy) to the body; also to lay to one's ear, to listen to, obey; to lay to the deaf ear, to turn a deaf ear. Obsolete.In the Wyclif quots. merely a literalism of translation.

ΘΚΠ

the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > hear [verb (intransitive)] > listen > listen to

listc897

harkc1175

to open one's earsa1200

listenc1290

to listen onc1330

tend1340

to lay to one's eara1382

attend1447

hearken to1526

to listen one's ears (or an ear) toa1533

to hear to1833

the world > space > distance > nearness > be near to [verb (transitive)] > place near > place adjacent

to lay toa1382

shoulder1591

jowl1654

juxtaposita1680

neighbour1791

juxtapose1851

the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > hear [verb (intransitive)] > listen > refuse to listen

to stop (one's own or another's) ear or ears1340

to lend a deaf earc1480

to lay to the deaf eara1500

to have (also put on) merchant's ears1593

solder1642

the world > health and disease > healing > medical treatment > [verb (transitive)] > apply remedy to

plastera1398

medicinea1425

to lay to1551

medicate1623

pathologize1649

medicament1850

a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(1)) (1850) Eccles. viii. 16 I leide to [L. apposui] myn herte.

a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(1)) (1850) Ecclus. ii. 4 Alle that to thee shul ben leid to [L. quod tibi applicitum fuerit].

c1400 Rom. Rose 2660 Than shalt thou stoupe, and lay to ere, If they within a-slepe be.

a1500 (?c1450) Merlin xvi. 261 The carll leide to the deef ere.

1513 G. Douglas in tr. Virgil Æneid i. Prol. 488 To ilk cunnand wicht lay to my eir.

1551 W. Turner New Herball sig. F j^v The leues of this herbe layd to with salt.

?1561 Syr Tryamoure (new ed.) sig. A^v If ye wyll..laye to youre eere Of aduentres ye shall here.

1584 T. Cogan Hauen of Health iv. 23 Being laide too outwardly as a medecine.

1601 P. Holland tr. Pliny Hist. World II. 262 The leaues..of Ephedros brought into a liniment and laid too, do discusse and dissolue them.

1620 Hist. Frier Rush sig. C3 He made a great fire and set on the pot, and layed to the spit.

†2. To put or bring into action; to bring to bear; esp. in to lay to one's hand(s.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > undertaking > beginning action or activity > begin action or activity [verb (intransitive)]

beginc1000

onginOE

aginOE

ginc1175

to go tillc1175

to take onc1175

comsea1225

fanga1225

to go toc1275

i-ginc1275

commencec1320

to get (also get down, go, go adown, set, set down) to workc1400

to lay to one's hand(sc1405

to put to one's hand (also hands)c1410

to set toc1425

standa1450

to make to1563

to fall to it1570

to start out1574

to fall to1577

to run upon ——1581

to break off1591

start1607

to set in1608

to set to one's hands1611

to put toa1616

to fall ona1625

in1633

to fall aboard1642

auspicatea1670

to set out1693

to enter (into) the fray1698

open1708

to start in1737

inchoate1767

to set off1774

go1780

start1785

to on with1843

to kick off1857

to start in on1859

to steam up1860

to push off1909

to cut loose1923

to get (also put) the show on the road1941

to get one's arse in gear1948

the world > action or operation > advantage > usefulness > use (made of things) > use or make use of [verb (transitive)] > bring or put into use

travaila1382

to bring inc1384

employ1429

inveigh1547

innovate1548

to put into (also in) practice1553

to lay to1560

induct1615

produce1697

take1732

unlimber1867

phase1949

c1405 (c1387–95) G. Chaucer Canterbury Tales Prol. (Hengwrt) (2003) 841 Ley hond to, euery man.

c1440 W. Hylton Scala Perfeccionis (1494) i. xxxix Our lorde..layeth to his honde and smyteth down the deuyll.

1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 603/1 I laye to my hande to helpe that a thyng maye be doone.

1535 Bible (Coverdale) Psalms cxviii. [cxix.] 126 It is tyme for the (o Lorde) to laye to thine honde.

1560 J. Daus tr. J. Sleidane Commentaries f. ccxxxiij With all hys force and power, he layeth to all hys munition.

1576 A. Fleming tr. Cicero in Panoplie Epist. 74 Lay too all the might you can make.

a1616 W. Shakespeare Tempest (1623) iv. i. 249 Monster, lay to your fingers: helpe to beare this away.

a1653 Z. Boyd Zion's Flowers (1855) 20 Lay to your armes, and help..afford.

3. intransitive (Nautical) To come to a stationary position with the head towards the wind; = to lie by 2 at lie v.¹ Phrasal verbs.

ΘΚΠ

society > travel > travel by water > directing or managing a ship > use of sails, spars, or rigging > support (an amount of) sail [verb (intransitive)] > lie to

trya1584

to lie by1623

to lay by1697

to lie to1711

to lay to1798

1798 Ld. Nelson in Dispatches & Lett. (1845) III. 20 The Terpsichore..continued to lay to under bare poles.

1866 R. M. Ballantyne Shifting Winds (1881) xiii. 131 [He] was obliged to lay-to until daylight, as the weather was thick.

to lay together

1. transitive. To place in juxtaposition; to add together; †to compare; †to put together, construct; †passive to be composed of.

ΘΚΠ

the world > relative properties > number > arithmetic or algebraic operations > perform arithmetic or algebraic operations [verb (transitive)] > add or sum

suma1387

drawc1392

to lay togethera1400

add?c1425

foot1491

confer1552

to add up1611

total1716

sum1740

tot1770

to run up1830

summate1880

the world > existence and causation > creation > [verb (transitive)] > construct

workOE

dighta1175

to set upc1275

graitha1300

formc1300

pitchc1330

compoundc1374

to put togethera1387

performc1395

bigc1400

elementc1400

complexion1413

erect1417

framea1450

edifya1464

compose1481

construe1490

to lay together1530

perstruct1547

to piece together1572

condite1578

conflate1583

compile1590

to put together1591

to set together1603

draw1604

build1605

fabric1623

complicate1624

composit1640

constitute1646

compaginate1648

upa1658

complex1659

construct1663

structurate1664

structure1664

confect1677

to put up1699

rig1754

effect1791

structuralize1913

the world > space > distance > nearness > be near to [verb (transitive)] > place near > place adjacent > to each other

to lay together1530

apposea1806

the mind > attention and judgement > discovery > comparison > compare [verb (transitive)]

evenOE

comparisonc1374

measurea1382

remenec1390

compare1509

confer?1531

to lay togethera1568

lay1577

paragona1586

paragonize1589

set1589

sympathize1600

confront1604

to name on (also in) the same day1609

collate1612

to lay down by1614

sampler1628

to set together1628

matcha1649

run1650

vie1685

to put together1690

a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 29529 Þir pointes of cursing haf i said, And soth and scortly samen laid.]

a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Fairf. 14) l. 550 Of þer þinges þat I. haue sayde was adam cors to-geder layde.

1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 605/1 I ley styckes or brandes togyther, to make a fyre.

1560 J. Daus tr. J. Sleidane Commentaries f. cccclxix That the same fyre whiche many yeares since they had layde together, myght nowe..breake out.

1565 T. Stapleton Fortresse of Faith f. 74 All which numbres being layed together arising well toward to twenty thousand soules.

a1568 R. Ascham Scholemaster (1570) ii. f. 31^v Whan he bringeth it translated vnto you, bring you forth the place of Tullie: lay them together: compare the one with the other.

1628 T. Spencer Art of Logick 114 To keepe a dore, and to dwell in the tents &c. are layd together.

1678 J. Bunyan Pilgrim's Progress Author's Apol. sig. A6^v O then come hither, And lay my Book, thy Head, and Heart together.

1692 Bp. G. Burnet Disc. Pastoral Care ii. 15 I will..lay both the Rules and the Reproofs that are in them together.

1699 A. Boyer Royal Dict. (at cited word) Lay his Words and Deeds together, Comparez ses Paroles avec ses actions.

1707 J. Stevens tr. F. de Quevedo Comical Wks. (1709) 350 He could not lay his Eyes together.

1853 A. Ure Dict. Arts (ed. 4) II. 562 A simpler..mode of..laying the strands together.

2. to lay..heads together: to confer together.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > judgement or decision > advice > give advice [verb (intransitive)] > consult or take advice > together or with another

to lay‥heads togetherc1381

deliberc1405

to cast their heads (together)1535

deliberate1538

to compare notes1709

c1381 G. Chaucer Parl. Foules 554 The watyr foulis han here hedis leid To gedere.

1483 in W. H. Stevenson Rec. Borough Nottingham (1883) II. 393 [They] leyd theyr hedes to geder to vnderstand how they myght haue verrey evydence and Knolage.

1583 A. Golding tr. J. Calvin Serm. on Deuteronomie clxxviii. 1108 If all the greatest Doctors of y^e world shold lay their heads together they coulde not attaine to the vnderstanding thereof.

1650 R. Stapleton tr. F. Strada De Bello Belgico viii. 5 Then laying their heads together..[they] created them a Generall.

a1771 T. Gray in Wks. (1884) I. 316 We shall lay our heads together, and try if we cannot hammer out as good a thing about you.

1893 Bookman June 83/1 [They] laid their heads together and gradually built up this picturesque mountain of lies.

†3. To concoct, compose (a story); also absol.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > perception or cognition > faculty of imagination > inventive or creative faculty > contrive, devise, or invent [verb (transitive)] > a story, etc.

fable1553

frame1576

to lay together1603

1603 R. Knolles Gen. Hist. Turkes 770 At such time as the old mans furie was ouerpast, falling of purpose into talke with him about the matter, she laid togither in her sons behalfe, and alleadged [etc.].

a1715 Bp. G. Burnet Hist. Own Time (1724) I. 580 His story was so ill laid together, that the Court was ashamed to make use of it.

†4. intransitive. To engage (in combat). Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

society > armed hostility > armed encounter > contending in battle > contend in battle or give battle [verb (intransitive)] > join or meet in battle

to come togetherOE

to lay togetherc1275

smitec1275

to have, keep, make, smite, strike, battle1297

joustc1330

meetc1330

copec1350

assemblea1375

semblea1375

coup?a1400

to fight togethera1400

strikea1400

joinc1400

to join the battle1455

to commit battle?a1475

rencounter1497

to set ina1500

to pitch a battlea1513

concura1522

rescounter1543

scontre1545

journey1572

shock1575

yoke1581

to give in1610

mix1697

to engage a combat1855

to run (or ride) a-tilt1862

c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 2945 Heore wepnen weoren lihte. heo leiden to-gadere & feon-liche fuhten.

to lay up

1. transitive. See simple senses and up n.; to put up and extend (one's limbs) on a couch; †to erect (a building); †to vomit, ‘throw up’ (obsolete).

ΘΚΠ

the world > health and disease > ill health > a disease > disorders of internal organs > digestive disorders > have digestive disorder [verb (transitive)] > vomit

spew971

aspewc1200

to gulch out?c1225

casta1300

vomea1382

brake1393

evacuec1400

to cast outa1425

deliver?a1425

voida1425

evomec1450

evomit?a1475

disgorge1477

to cast up1483

degorge1493

vomish1536

retch1538

parbreak1540

reject1540

vomit1541

evacuate1542

revomit1545

belch1558

vomit1560

to lay up1570

upvomit1582

to fetch up1599

puke1601

respew1606

inbelch1610

spew1610

to throw up1614

exgurgitate1623

out-spew1647

egurgitate1656

to throw off1660

to bring up1719

pick1828

sick1924

yark1927

barf1960

to park the tiger1970

vom1991

society > occupation and work > industry > building or constructing > build or construct [verb (transitive)]

timbera900

workOE

betimberOE

craftOE

buildc1275

lifta1300

stagec1330

upraise1338

wright1338

edifya1340

to make outa1382

to make upa1382

biga1400

housea1400

risea1400

telda1400–50

to work upa1450

redress1481

levy1495

upmake1507

upbuild1513

exstruct?c1550

construct1663

to run up1686

practise1739

to lay up1788

elevate1798

to put up1818

to lay down1851

practicate1851

the world > space > relative position > posture > action or fact of stretching body > stretch [verb (transitive)] > on a couch

to lay upc1830

1570 B. Googe tr. T. Kirchmeyer Popish Kingdome iv. f. 53 And miserably they reele, till as their stomacke vp they lay.

1579–80 T. North tr. Plutarch Lives (1676) 757 Antonius being queasie stomacked with his Surfeit he had taken, was compelled to lay up all before them, and one of his friends held him his Gown instead of a Bason.

1788 J. May Jrnl. 19 July (1873) (modernized text) 86 To-day finished laying up the house, and put on the roof.

c1830 Houlston Tracts No. 87. 11 Her daughter must go home, and lay up her legs till they got quite well.

2. Agriculture (a) To throw up (land) in ridges as a preparation for sowing: often with complement, as dry, rough, in ridges. (b) To reserve for hay. Cf. to lay in 5 at Phrasal verbs.

ΘΚΠ

the world > food and drink > farming > cultivation or tillage > breaking up land > break up land [verb (transitive)] > throw up ridges

rig?1523

ridge?1530

to trench up1763

upset1764

to lay up1842

hill1884

1842 Jrnl. Royal Agric. Soc. 3 ii. 171 Every arable field which is laid up in ridges probably requires..to be drained.

1844 Jrnl. Royal Agric. Soc. 5 i. 167 After being fed the meadows are laid up, and in about six weeks produce an excellent crop of hay.

1852 Jrnl. Royal Agric. Soc. 13 i. 62 The land..is either sown with wheat at Michaelmas or laid up dry, for barley in the spring.

1883 J. A. Froude Hist. Sketches 74 (Norway Fjords) There were forty or fifty acres of grass laid up for hay.

3. To deposit or put away in a place for safety; to store up (goods, provisions); to put by. Often absol. to save money. Also with immaterial object to lay up in lavender: see lavender n.² 2.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > possession > supply > storage > store [verb (transitive)]

again-layOE

to put upc1330

to lay up?a1366

bestow1393

to set up1421

reserve1480

powder1530

store1552

uplay1591

garnera1616

storea1616

revestry1624

reposit1630

barrel1631

magazine1643

stock1700

to salt down1849

reservoir1858

tidy1867

larder1904

the world > space > place > placing or fact of being placed in (a) position > place or put in a position [verb (transitive)] > deposit or put away

to put upc1330

to lay up?a1366

leavea1375

disposec1420

stowc1485

reposea1500

repose?c1525

commit1531

reject1541

dispatcha1566

tuck1587

to put away1607

reposit1630

repositate1716

to stow away1795

park1908

?a1366 Romaunt Rose 184 Gret tresours up to leyn.

c1400 Rom. Rose 5680 They..ley not up for her living.

1526 Bible (Tyndale) Luke i. f. lxxiiij And all they that herde them layde them vppe in their hertes.

1526 Bible (Tyndale) 2 Cor. xii. 14 The children ought nott to laye vppe for the fathers and mothers. [So 1611.]

1560 J. Daus tr. J. Sleidane Commentaries f. ccxxix^v That the same should be laied vp into a cheste fast locked.

1626 F. Bacon New Atlantis 8 in Sylua Syluarum The Strangers House, is at this time Rich, and much aforehand; For it hath layd vp Reuenew these 37 yeares.

1651 N. Bacon Contin. Hist. Disc. Govt. 198 It incourages men to gather and lay up, when they have Law to hold by what they have.

1690 J. Locke Ess. Humane Understanding ii. x. 67 This faculty of laying up, and retaining the Ideas that are brought into the Mind.

1709 R. Steele Tatler No. 91. ⁋1 I have, by leading a very wary Life, laid up a little Money.

1736 T. Lediard Life Marlborough III. 194 The Allies design'd to lay up large Magazines at Douay.

1877 C. M. Yonge Cameos cxli, in Monthly Packet Oct. 319 Lines, which she had probably composed and laid up in her memory.

1879 M. Pattison Milton xiii. 212 His poems he wished laid up in the Bodleian.

1885 ‘E. F. Byrrne’ Entangled I. i. xiii. 248 You could not bear the agony that would be laid up for you in an unhappy union.

†4. To place in confinement, imprison. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

society > authority > punishment > imprisonment > imprison [verb (transitive)]

beclosec1000

setc1100

steekc1175

prison?c1225

adightc1275

imprison1297

laya1325

keepc1330

presentc1380

locka1400

throwc1422

commise1480

clapc1530

shop1548

to lay up1565

incarcerate1575

embar1590

immure1598

hole1608

trunk1608

to keep (a person) darka1616

carceir1630

enjaila1631

pocket1631

bridewell1733

bastille1745

cage1805

quod1819

bag1824

carcerate1839

to send down1840

jug1841

slough1848

to send up1852

to put away1859

warehouse1881

roundhouse1889

smug1896

to bang up1950

1565 T. Cooper Thesaurus at Carcer Condi in carcerem, to be layed vp in [prison].

1569 in J. Hooker Life Sir P. Carew App. (1857) 233 The messenger..was layed op by the helys.

1602 2nd Pt. Returne fr. Parnassus i. ii. 240 Sweete Constable doth take the wondring eare, And layes it vp in willing prisonment.

a1640 P. Massinger City-Madam (1658) i. iii. 143 When layd up for debt.

5. To cause to keep indoors or in bed through illness; often in passive to be (taken) ill, to keep one's bed. In recent colloquial use also intransitive, to take to one's bed.

ΘΚΠ

the world > health and disease > ill health > be in ill health [verb (intransitive)] > take to bed

to lay up1554

to take one's lair1633

to lie up1850

to take to one's bed1883

the world > health and disease > ill health > cause to be ill [verb (transitive)] > restrain by ill health

to lay up1554

to lay by1782

the world > health and disease > ill health > be in ill health [verb (intransitive)] > fall ill

sicklec1000

sicka1150

sickenc1175

evil1303

mislike?1440

fall1526

to take a conceit1543

to fall down?1571

to lay upa1616

to run of (or on) a garget1615

craze1658

invalid1829

wreck1876

collapse1879

to go sick1879

to sicken for1883

1554 J. Mason Let. 9 Nov. in P. F. Tytler Eng. under Edward VI & Mary (1839) II. 456 (modernized text) The constitution of his body being so easy to be overthrown, as a little travel taken more than it be able to bear were enough to lay him up.

a1616 W. Shakespeare As you like It (1623) i. iii. 7 Then there were two Cosens laid vp, when the one should be lam'd with reasons, and the other mad without any.

1676 Lady Chaworth in 12th Rep. Royal Comm. Hist. MSS (1890) App. v. 32 This seveare weather which hath laid [me] up in the house this ten days.

1709 R. Steele Tatler No. 82. ⁋5 While he was laid up with the Gout.

c1771 S. Foote Maid of Bath iii. 50 My gout..lays me up for four or five months in a year.

1840 R. H. Dana Two Years before Mast xxxi. 117 I should be laid up for a long time, and perhaps have the lock jaw.

1872 C. M. Yonge Cameos cx, in Monthly Packet June 520 An attack of small-pox..laid him up for a short time.

1893 A. S. Eccles Sciatica 49 Busy persons who can ill afford to lay up and be absent from their affairs for some days.

†6. To bury. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > life > death > disposal of corpse > burial > bury or entomb [verb (transitive)]

bedelveOE

begraveOE

burya1000

beburyc1000

bifel-ec1000

layc1000

to fall, lull, lay (bring obs.) asleepOE

tombc1275

gravec1300

inter1303

rekec1330

to lap in leadc1340

to lay to rest, abed, to bed1340

lie1387

to louk in clay (lead, etc.)?a1400

to lay lowa1425

earthc1450

sepulture1490

to put awaya1500

tyrea1500

mould1530

to graith in the grave1535

ingrave1535

intumulate1535

sepult1544

intumil?c1550

yird1562

shrinea1566

infera1575

entomb1576

sepelite1577

shroud1577

funeral1578

to load with earth1578

delve1587

to lay up1591

sepulchrize1595

pit-hole1607

infuneral1610

mool1610

inhumate1612

inurna1616

inhume1616

pit1621

tumulate1623

sepulchrea1626

turf1628

underlay1639

urna1657

to lay to sleep, asleep1701

envaulta1745

plant1785

ensepulchre1820

sheugh1839

to put under1879

to lay away1885

1591 H. Savile tr. Tacitus Life Agricola in tr. Tacitus Ende of Nero: Fower Bks. Hist. 266 Yet wast thou layed vp with fewer teares.

1655 E. Terry Voy. E.-India 309 It [sc. Pile] was begun by Achabar-sha..and finished by his Son, who since was laid up beside him.

7. To put away (a ship) in dock or some other place of safety. Also intransitive for passive or reflexive.

ΘΚΠ

society > travel > travel by water > launching a vessel > launch or set afloat [verb (transitive)] > lay up unused

to lay by the walls1579

to lay up1667

1667 S. Pepys Diary 14 June (1974) VIII. 269 The counsel that brought us into this misery, by laying up all the great ships.

1701 in J. A. Picton City of Liverpool: Select. Munic. Rec. (1883) I. 309 Ships that are to be layd up.

1725 D. Defoe New Voy. round World i. 18 At length we..arrived again at the Port of St. Julian... Here we resolv'd to lay up for the Winter.

1795 Ld. Nelson in Dispatches & Lett. (1845) II. 69 We must both soon be laid up to repair.

1838 C. Thirlwall Hist. Greece (new ed.) IV. xxvii. 25 The Peloponnesians..laid up their fleet for the rest of the winter.

1849 Tait's Edinb. Mag. 16 158/1 The sands, on which a vessel is laid up, are minutely and beautifully detailed.

1885 Times (Weekly ed.) 11 Sept. 9/3 The ice-hulks and the swift yawls..moored and laid up in ordinary.

1890 Murray's Mag. Oct. 469 I shall send the yacht round to Gosport to lay up.

in extended use.1856 C. Dickens Little Dorrit (1857) i. xxiv. 210 Mr. F.'s Aunt was, for the time, laid up in ordinary in her chamber.

8. Shipbuilding. (See quot. 1869.)

ΚΠ

1869 E. J. Reed Shipbuilding x. 197 The heads of the rivets are generally laid-up, that is, are made close to the surface, against which they fit by a few heavy blows given by the workman.

9. Rope-making. = sense 37.

ΘΚΠ

society > occupation and work > industry > manufacturing processes > rope-making > make rope [verb (transitive)] > other specific processes

lay1486

throw?c1625

register1793

re-lay1804

warp1815

to lay upc1860

tube1863

wimble1874

strand1886

fluff1892

c1860 H. Stuart Novices or Young Seaman's Catech. (rev. ed.) 28 Lay up the centre strands together, take the next two strands and lay them up together..; when you have laid it up to within ten inches of the end, lay both strands up together [etc.].

1882 G. S. Nares Seamanship (ed. 6) 26 Gun gear [is] laid up left handed.

10. Nautical (intransitive) To direct the course.

ΘΚΠ

society > travel > travel by water > directing or managing a ship > direct or manage ship [verb (intransitive)] > head in a certain course or direction

steer1340

stem1487

capea1522

lie1574

put1578

bear1587

rut1588

haul1589

fetch1590

standa1594

to stand along1600

to bear away1614

work1621

to lay up1832

1832 F. Marryat Newton Forster III. iv. 46 The French squadron..tacked and laid up directly for them.

1858 Mercantile Marine Mag. 5 71 We neither could lay up for it, nor overhaul it.

11. Printing. (See quot. 1841.)

ΚΠ

1808 C. Stower Printer's Gram. 156 A form cannot be well laid up without plenty of water.

1841 W. Savage Dict. Art of Printing (at cited word) Before the letter of a worked-off form is distributed,..if the work be finished it is unlocked upon a board laid in the trough and well rinsed with water, while the compositor keeps working the pages backward and forward with his hands, and continues pouring water on them till the lye and ink are washed away..; this is termed laying-up.

†12. To surpass, excel. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > prosperity > advancement or progress > outdoing or surpassing > outdo or surpass [verb (transitive)] > put in the shade or put to shame

shamec1400

to put down1494

extinguish1551

stain1557

overshadow1581

cloud1582

defacea1592

shend1596

to lay up1601

to shine down1623

dazzle1643

umbrage1647

foila1687

efface1717

eclipse1718

shade?1748

put into the shade1796

to take the shine out of (less frequently from, U.S. off)1819

to put to shame1854

to leave (a person) standing1864

to lay over1869

blanket1884

upstage1921

1601 R. Johnson tr. G. Botero Trauellers Breuiat 32 In suffring of hunger, thirst, heat, cold, labour and extremities, they will lay vp any nation whatsoeuer.

13. To put up, erect.

ΚΠ

1844 D. Lee & J. H. Frost Ten Years in Oregon xxii. 289 We..were so successful as to finish laying up the cabin..at the end of two weeks.

1844 D. Lee & J. H. Frost Ten Years in Oregon xxii. 292 Mr. Smith was getting out logs for a house,..and I helped him lay it up.

14. To assemble or stack (plies or layers) in the arrangement required for the manufacture of plywood or other laminated material (usually prior to bonding into a single structure).

ΘΚΠ

the world > space > relative position > condition of being external > covering > a layer > arrange in layers [verb (transitive)] > as required for making layered structure

to lay up1927

1927 E. V. Knight & M. Wulpi Veneers & Plywood xxvi. 286 Stock trucks..with suitable guides against which to jog layers of stock as the freshly glued plywood is laid up.

1942 A. D. Wood & T. G. Linn Plywoods vii. 74 When working on thin 3-ply boards two panels are frequently ‘laid up’ between each caul.

1949 B. L. Davies Technol. Plastics xiii. 233 The dried, impregnated or coated material is cut to size..and the sheets are laid up, i.e. piled one upon the other to a predetermined number.

1962 Newnes Conc. Encycl. Electr. Engin. 115/2 Normally not less than three layers of tissue are laid up between the electrodes [of an industrial capacitor] for the lower voltages.

1965 Plastics Tooling & Manuf. Handbk. (Amer. Soc. Tool & Manuf. Engineers) vi. 114 Successive plies are laid up until the desired thickness is achieved; then the part is allowed to cure.

Compounds

lay-down adj. (a) (also laid-down), applied to a collar which is folded over instead of standing up; also as n., a ‘turn-down’ collar; (b) applied to a hand or contract at cards (esp. Bridge) which is such that success is possible against any defence, so that no harm would be done by exposing the player's cards on the table; also elliptical as n., such a hand; also figurative.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > will > necessity > fate or destiny as determining events > [adjective] > fated or predestined

born1357

destinablec1374

destinalc1374

fatalc1374

predestinatec1384

foreordainedc1420

ordinate?a1425

destiny?1473

preordinatea1475

prefinitec1475

pointed1523

predestined1545

determined1546

ordinated1562

predestinated1571

preordained?1580

fore-appointeda1586

predeterminate1601

predetermined1601

destinated1604

destinate1605

destined1609

predesigned1668

predefinite1678

cut and dry1710

fated1715

weirded1820

laid-down1839

foreordinated1858

predesignated1883

predestinatory1893

preset1926

predefined1929

predestine1962

bashert1963

the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > neck-wear > [adjective] > collar > turn-down

fall-down1741

laid-down1839

to lay down1839

lay-over1852

the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > neck-wear > [noun] > collar > types of > turn-down

turn-over1716

lay-down1839

mousquetaire1854

turnover collara1861

turn-down1896

society > leisure > entertainment > pastimes > game > card game > card or cards > [noun] > hand > types of hand

flusha1529

renounce1830

lay-down1839

no-trumper1899

chicane1900

pianola hand1913

powerhouse1932

void1933

pianola1974

society > leisure > entertainment > pastimes > game > card game > card or cards > [adjective] > type of hand or suit

strong1626

high1742

lay-down1906

biddable1926

void1934

1839 C. Dickens Nicholas Nickleby xxvii. 266 A black gentleman..with a lay down collar tied with two tassels.

1880 I. L. Bird Unbeaten Tracks Japan I. 47 A laid-down collar.

1890 W. S. Gilbert Foggerty's Fairy & Other Tales 151 Serious collars, as substitutes for the unprofessional ‘lay-downs’ I usually wore.

1906 Westm. Gaz. 8 Sept. 16/3 Enormous cards are held and we have a lay-down great or small slam.

1934 Amer. Speech 9 10/2 A cold game is a sure game, and a cold contract is a lay-down.

1955 I. Fleming Moonraker vii. 75 It was a laydown Grand Slam for Bond against any defence.

1959 Listener 12 Mar. 489/1 Seven Clubs, it will be seen, is a lay-down.

1961 Times 6 Dec. 8/3 A lay-down slam in Clubs.

1966 ‘W. Haggard’ Power House ix. 92 The interview had diverted him. He'd learnt a lot about Harry Fletcher; he'd held a crushing hand and had played it as a laydown.

1974 Country Life 17 Oct. 1139/3 The slam is a lay down.

† lay-holding adj. Obsolete rare that lays hold; tenacious.

ΘΚΠ

the world > movement > absence of movement > hold or holding > [adjective] > seizing or laying hold

cleeking1566

lay-holdinga1586

a1586 Sir P. Sidney Arcadia (1593) i. sig. H5 Vran..Laid hold on him with most lay-holding grace.

lay-over adj. = lay-down adj. (a).

ΘΚΠ

the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > neck-wear > [adjective] > collar > turn-down

fall-down1741

laid-down1839

to lay down1839

lay-over1852

1852 R. S. Surtees Mr. Sponge's Sporting Tour xii. lxvi. 365 The three Master Baskets in coats and lay-over collars.

Draft additions 1997

to lay dead U.S. colloquial (esp. in Black English): to be inconspicuous through inactivity; = to lay low at low adj. and n.² Phrases 3b; also, to do nothing in particular, to loiter, ‘hang about’.

ΘΚΠ

the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > invisibility > be or become invisible [verb (intransitive)] > be inconspicuous

to lay dead1947

the world > action or operation > inaction > not doing > abstaining or refraining from action > abstain or refrain from action [verb (intransitive)] > in order to remain inconspicuous

to lay dead1947

1947 Amer. Speech 22 122/1 The boys say, ‘Lay dead and you'll get ahead’.

1955 Publ. Amer. Dial. Soc. No. 24. 55 Now we can cool off and lay dead for a week or two.

1955 Publ. Amer. Dial. Soc. No. 24. 178 Milwaukee is noted for being the toughest city in the Midwest to..lay dead in.

1967 Trans-action Apr. 6/1 The dudes could be found when they were ‘laying dead’—hanging on the corner, or shooting pool and ‘jiving’ (‘goofing’ or kidding around) in a local community project.

1972 T. Kochman Rappin' & Stylin' Out 165 Nonactivity on the street corner is ‘laying dead’, besides the more conventional ‘hanging’.

1990 Los Angeles Times (Ventura County ed.) 22 May b1/3 According to transcripts of the conversation,..he was ‘laying dead for Holmes’ in the Courthouse parking lot, armed with a gun.

Draft additions 1997

to lay back v. intransitive. To lean back, recline; frequently figurative, to do nothing, relax (in some later quots. probably a back-formation < laid-back at laid adj. c). Cf. to lie back at lie v.¹ Phrasal verbs.

ΘΚΠ

the world > space > relative position > support > [verb (intransitive)] > be supported > lean for support > lean backwards (against a support)

to lay back1787

to lie back1894

the world > action or operation > inaction > not doing > do nothing [verb (intransitive)]

not to lift a finger1529

to mark time1837

to lay back1920

1787 A. W. Costigan Sketches Society & Manners Portugal II. xli. 346 She laid back in the easy chair on which she sat under me..as I stood behind her in the box.

1843 Artist & Amateur's Mag. 1 138 Seeming to recollect..that it was just the time of day at which he was accustomed to take his siesta, he laid back in the little carriage and went at once into a..profound sleep.

1853 T. C. Haliburton in Anglo-Amer. Mag. July 81/2 ‘Sam,’ said he, ‘don't let your heart jump out of its jacket’, and he laid back in his chair, and laughed like anythin'.

1884 Virginia (Nevada) Chron. 1 Oct. 3/3 Old Bill..just lays back until there is a good jack-pot of trout in hand, and then he makes a bold bluff and walks off with it.

1920 E. Pound Let. 11 Sept. (1971) 157 You lay back, you let me have the whole stinking sweat of providing the mechanical means for letting through the new movement... Then you punk out, cursing me for not being in two places at once.

1977 Rolling Stone 13 Jan. 51/3 On her second album, Patti Smith lays back, refusing to assert herself.

1984 Sears, Roebuck Catal. Spring–Summer 276 When it's time to lay back, recline seat and a flip of the handle changes it to a carriage.

1994 R. Reid in P. F. Berliner Thinking in Jazz xv. 424 That night they were playing ballads, and he laid back so far that he knew [that] when he got off the bandstand and got into the dressing room they were going to say that it was too far back.

Draft additions 1997

to lay down

To record (esp. popular music). colloquial.

ΘΚΠ

society > communication > record > recording or reproducing sound or visual material > sound recording and reproduction > make recording [verb (transitive)]

phonograph1878

gramophone1908

press1918

to put on wax1932

wax1935

cut1937

tape1950

tape-record1950

audiotape1961

to lay down1967

over-record1977

1967 Melody Maker 14 Jan. 7 They both have tremendous records out..and they are both laying down some great stuff.

1975 New Yorker 21 Apr. 34/1 He just spent six weeks in L.A. laying down the tracks for eight new cuts on an as yet untitled album.

1985 Internat. Musician June 79/1 In fact, while laying down four bass parts all requiring different tones I kept the bass DI'd and the results were very pleasing.

1986 Keyboard Player Apr. 2/2 He..intends to demonstrate multi-track recording techniques by laying down eight different tracks ‘in public’.

1995 Mojo Feb. 104/3 They went to it with a collective will and lay down a very energetic, likeable collection of funk tracks.

Draft additions 1997

to lay in

Basketball. To bounce (the ball) off the backboard into the basket. Cf. lay-in n.

ΚΠ

1976 J. Scott Bill Walton iii. 111 Silas grabs the ball and lays it in, making it 4–0 Denver.

1987 New Yorker 19 Jan. 28 Twice, she stole the ball beneath her own basket and raced coast-to-coast to lay it in.

Draft additions 1997

to lay off

Football, Hockey, etc. To pass (the ball) a short distance, esp. into open space for a team-mate to collect.

ΘΚΠ

society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > characteristics of team ball games > play team ball games [verb (transitive)] > actions or manoeuvres

pass1865

to throw in1867

work1868

centre1877

shoot1882

field1883

tackle1884

chip1889

feed1889

screen1906

fake1907

slap1912

to turn over1921

tip-in1958

to lay off1965

spill1975

1965 Daily Express 13 Aug. 15/5 Laying off, playing the ball at one of your team-mates—almost bouncing it off him to get the ball back again.

1966 J. Greaves Soccer Techniques vi. 46 More and more we find that the ball must be passed straight to the feet of team-mates. Of course, if a man who receives such a pass lays the ball off first-time in an imaginative way it may be that he will be able to play it into an open space and let someone sprint on to it.

1970 Observer 19 Apr. 23/2 England were laying it off well but too slowly and the linkmen failed to break through often enough.

1976 Northumberland Gaz. 26 Nov. 19/4 Ross Mathie..rounded the 'keeper and laid the ball off for the waiting Laing.

1986 Open Rugby Sept. 16/3 Both are deceptively fast, difficult to tackle and lay the ball off well.

Draft additions 1997

to lay on

Angling. To lower (a weight or shot) into the water until it rests on the bottom with the hook and bait. Frequently absol.

ΘΚΠ

the world > food and drink > hunting > fishing > type or method of fishing > [verb (intransitive)] > fish with line > with weighted line

to fish (lie) on or upon the grabble1726

drabble1799

to lay on1934

the world > food and drink > hunting > fishing > type or method of fishing > [verb (transitive)] > weight line

shot1910

to lay on1975

1934 E. Marshall-Hardy Angling Ways xiv. 105 The illustration shows two methods of adjusting the tackle for stret-pegging or laying-on.

1959 Times 7 Feb. 9/3 I do not suggest that coarse fishermen should ‘lay on’ with small roach to catch bigger ones.

1975 Coarse Fishing (‘Know the Game’ Ser.) 29/1 If they [sc. the fish] are feeding confidently,..the shot can be laid on.

1991 Coarse Fishing Feb. 10/3 My set up was a bristle pole float, overshotted, so I could lay on and hold it perfectly still.

Draft additions 1997

to lay over

intransitive. = to lie over at lie v.¹ Phrasal verbs. U.S. colloquial.

ΘΚΠ

society > travel > [verb (intransitive)] > go on a journey > break one's journey

call1642

to lay over1817

to stop over1855

to break one's journey1880

1817 Indiana Hist. Soc. Publ. (1918) 6 296 We concluded to put up for the night and to lay over the Sabbath.

1872 ‘M. Twain’ Roughing It ii. 28 You git out at Cottonwood..and lay over a couple o' days.

1922 R. Lardner in Cosmopolitan July 59/2 Our train laid over in Washington two hours till another train come along to pick us up and I got out and strolled up the platform and into the Union Station.

1956 ‘B. Holiday’ & W. Dufty Lady sings Blues xvii. 157 The Treasury agent fixed it so I'd arrive at the Philly jail on Friday night and have to lay over in that hellhole until Monday.

1986 New Yorker 26 May 62/3 One pilot..clipped part of a wingtip, and had to lay over while it was fixed.

Draft additions 1997

lay-down, (as n.) an act of lying down, a rest; = lie-down n. at lie n.² Compounds; also ironic, a short stay in custody.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > ceasing > temporary cessation of activity or operation > [noun] > rest > in specific posture

lie-down1840

stretch1856

sit-down1857

lay-down1897

society > authority > punishment > imprisonment > [noun] > sentence or term of > short

lay-down1938

1897 National Police Gaz. (U.S.) 26 May 6/3 Nothing but ‘dub’ fights by novices, with now and then a deliberate ‘lay down’.

1909 E. Wyrall Spike vi. 44 In tramp language, it was at least a decent ‘lay down’—i.e., bed.

1937 D. L. Sayers Busman's Honeymoon vi. 137 What you want is a nice lay-down and a cupper tea.

1938 F. D. Sharpe Sharpe of Flying Squad 331 A lay down, a remand in custody.

1941 V. Davis Phenomena in Crime xix. 249 Joe..is remanded in Brixton Prison. A remand is called the ‘lay-down’.

1984 Police Rev. 23 Mar. 584/1 Time spent in prison often begins with a ‘laydown’, a short spell on remand.

This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1902; most recently modified version published online March 2021).

单词	lay
释义	layn.¹ Brit. /leɪ/, U.S. /leɪ/ Forms: α. Old English lagu, Middle English laȝe; plural Middle English lawes, lauen. β. Middle English lei-e, ley, leye, laie, laye, Middle English, 1800s (dialect) lay. Etymology: Old English lagu (oblique cases lage ); the β. forms may represent either an Old English læge dative, accusative, or genitive, or the Old Norse legi* dative, legir plural, of the equivalent lǫg-r < Old Germanic lagu-z < pre-Germanic lakú-s (= Latin lacus lake n.⁴). It is also probable that in some instances the β. forms represent an adoption of Old French lai pool < Latin lacum. Obsolete exc. dialect. a. A lake, pool. ΘΚΠ the world > the earth > water > lake > [noun] mereeOE laya1000 lakec1275 poolc1275 watera1325 loughc1330 loch1427 broad1659 Mediterranean1661 Mediterrane1694 α. OE Genesis 211 Fægere leoht þæt liðe land lago yrnende. a1000 Boeth. Metr. ix. 40 Lyft and lagu land ymbclyppaþ garsecg embegyrt gumena rice. a1300 Childh. Jesus 314–19 in Horstm. Altengl. Leg. (1875) 12–13 Watur þare with inne he brouȝte, His lawes maken þare inne he þouȝte. Bote a giw of heorte wrac Alle hise lawes þare he to brac. Iesu him seide with hastiue wille..Ȝwi hast þou to broke mi lay? 1340–70 Alisaunder 3856 Theo blod, of heom that was slawen, Ran by flodis and by lauen. β. c1330 Arth. & Merl. 5296 Þe blod ran in þe valaie So water out of a laie.c1330 Arth. & Merl. 9652 He made alle a valaye Al so it were a brod leye.a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1871) III. 367 Alisaundre..hadde alle maner bestes in kepyng in hyves, in layes, in fisshe weres and pondes.1390 J. Gower Confessio Amantis II. 167 She was nigh the great lay Of Triton [L. Tritonia palus] founde, where she lay A child for-cast.a1440 Sir Degrev. 239 One a launde by a ley These lordus dounne lyght.1481 W. Caxton tr. Siege & Conqueste Jerusalem (1893) cciii. 298 The cyte of tabarye, whiche stondeth on the laye of Geme.a1825 R. Forby Vocab. E. Anglia (1830) Lay, a very large pond.a1855 W. T. Spurdens Forby's Vocab. E. Anglia (1858) III. 28 Lays, always, I believe, in the plural number. ‘Denham lays’. Ponds in the midst of coppice and timber. b. attributive, as lay-fen, lay-mire. ΘΚΠ the world > the earth > land > landscape > marsh, bog, or swamp > [noun] marsheOE fenc888 sladec893 moorOE mossOE marshlandlOE lay-fena1225 lay-mirea1225 moor-fenc1275 flosha1300 strother?a1300 marish1327 carrc1330 waterlanda1382 gaseync1400 quaba1425 paludec1425 mersec1440 sumpa1450 palus?1473 wash1483 morass1489 oozea1500 bog?a1513 danka1522 fell1538 soga1552 Camarine1576 gog1583 swale1584 sink1594 haga1600 mere1609 flata1616 swamp1624 pocosin1634 frogland1651 slash1652 poldera1669 savannah1671 pond-land1686 red bog1686 swang1691 slack1719 flowa1740 wetland1743 purgatory1760 curragh1780 squall1784 marais1793 vlei1793 muskeg1806 bog-pit1820 prairie1820 fenhood1834 pakihi1851 terai1852 sponge1856 takyr1864 boglet1869 sinkhole1885 grimpen1902 sphagnum bog1911 blanket bog1939 string bog1959 a1225 Marherete 14 Ich leade ham iþe leiuen [printed leinen] ant iþe ladliche lake of þe suti sunne. ?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 243 Se me deoppere wadeð iþe fennes leiuen [a1250 Titus iðe deoueles lei mure] se me kimeð up latere. c1230 Hali Meid. 33 Hwase lið ileinen [i.e. i lei uen, MS. B. ileifen] deope bisunken. c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1978) l. 11395 Draȝeð hine to ane more. & doð hine in an ley uen [c1300 Otho laȝe fen]. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1902; most recently modified version published online March 2022). † layn.² Forms: In Middle English leȝhe, lai. Origin: A borrowing from early Scandinavian. Etymon: Norse leiga. Etymology: < Old Norse leiga hire, toll. Obsolete. Hire. Also in combination leȝhemann n. (= Old Norse leigumaðr), a hireling. ΘΚΠ society > trade and finance > fees and taxes > hire or rent > [noun] hirec1000 layc1175 wage1447 rent1891 society > authority > subjection > service > servant > types of servant > [noun] > hireling hiremanc975 hirelingc1000 leȝhemannc1175 allowes1348 merchantc1384 mercenaryc1387 hiring manc1425 pensioner1472 wageling?1545 pensionary1548 hired woman1639 help1645 engagee1808 c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 6234 & heore leȝhe birrþ hemm beon Rædiȝ þann itt iss addledd. c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 6222 & ȝunnc birrþ ȝunnkerr leȝhe menn. Rihht laȝhelike ledenn. a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 11814 Nu neghes tim to tak his lai [Fairf. mede, Trin. Cambr. pay]. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1902; most recently modified version published online March 2021). † layn.³ Forms: Also Middle English lei, Middle English lai(e, Middle English ley, Middle English–1500s laye. Etymology: < Old French lei, modern French loi law = Provençal ley, lei, Catalan lley, Spanish ley, Portuguese lei, Italian legge < Latin lēgem, lēx law. Obsolete. Law; esp. religious law; hence, a religion, a faith. ΘΚΠ society > law > [noun] > a law lawa1023 laya1225 society > faith > aspects of faith > religion > [noun] lawa1225 laya1225 religion?c1225 ritec1480 the opium of the people1926 society > faith > aspects of faith > law > [noun] lawa1225 laya1225 judgementc1405 nomos1895 a1225 Leg. Kath. 166 Þæt cristene weren & leaffule in godes lei. a1225 Leg. Kath. 832 Sone se ich awei warp ower witlese lei. c1290 S. Eng. Leg. I. 457/18 Formest he wende to Orlians to prechie godes lay. a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 1201 Ðor-of holden ðe ieuwes lay. a1400 Sir Beues (A.) 1053 Þow schelt swere vpon þe lay. a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 13593 ‘A prophet’, said he, ‘be mi lai’. a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 1474 To fight al for þe cristen lay. a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 1428 Fra abraham..Til moyses þat gaf þe lai. c1400 tr. Secreta Secret., Gov. Lordsh. 105 My fey, My byleue, and my ley, er þes. c1405 (c1395) G. Chaucer Squire's Tale (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 10 Of the secte, to which þ^t he was born He kepte his lay, to which þ^t he was sworn. c1440 York Myst. xi. 44 Now are they like to lose our layse. c1440 York Myst. xxxviii. 445 It is gretely against oure lay. c1450 (c1400) Sowdon of Babylon (1881) l. 764 If he will Baptised be And lefe his fals laye. c1480 (a1400) St. Paul 983 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) I. 57 All þat euire war of Iowis lay. 1513 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid vi. xiv. 8 Numa Pompilius, quhilk sall..Begyn and statut with lawis and haly layis The cheif cetie of Rome. 1534 Bible (Tyndale rev. Joye) Acts xxvi. 5 After the most straytest secte of oure laye [1526 lawe], lyved I a pharisaye. ?1592 Trag. Solyman & Perseda sig. A4^v Welcome vnto thee renowned Turke, Not for thy lay, but for thy worth in armes. 1593 G. Peele Famous Chron. King Edward the First sig. B3 Tis Churchmans laie and veritie, To liue in loue and charitie. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1902; most recently modified version published online March 2021). layn.⁴ Brit. /leɪ/, U.S. /leɪ/ Forms: Also Middle English lai, Middle English–1500s laie, Middle English–1600s laye. Etymology: < Old French lai (recorded from the 12th cent.) = Provençal lais, lays; of uncertain etymology. The most likely view is that favoured by M. Gaston Paris, that the word is of Germanic origin, an adoption of some form of the word represented by Old High German, Middle High German leich , play, melody, song. The Old Norse lag (see law n.¹), used in the sense of ‘tune’, would also be phonetically a possible source. Connection with Germanic leuþo- (Old English léoð, German lied) is out of the question, as are the Celtic words commonly cited: the Irish laoidh* is believed to represent an Old Celtic type lūdi-; the Welsh llais* voice, sound, is too remote in meaning, and the assumed Breton equivalent is non-existent. 1. a. A short lyric or narrative poem intended to be sung.Originally applied spec. to the poems, usually dealing with matter of history or romantic adventure, which were sung by minstrels. From the 16th to the 18th cent. the word was a mere poetical synonym for ‘song’. This use still continues, but lay is now often employed (partly after German lied, with which it is often erroneously supposed to be etymologically connected) as the appropriate term for a popular historical ballad such as those on which the Homeric poems are by some believed to be founded. Some writers have misapplied it to long poems of epic character like the Nibelungenlied or Beowulf. ΘΚΠ society > leisure > the arts > music > type of music > vocal music > a song > [noun] songeOE leothOE galec1200 rounc1225 laya1240 gammec1425 muse1528 cantion1579 madrigal1589 canzon1590 canzone1590 canton1594 canto1603 cantilene1635 cantilena1740 Lied1852 art song1875 canzonetta1947 society > leisure > the arts > literature > poetry > poem or piece of poetry > lyric poem > [noun] > poem to be sung songeOE wordseOE leothOE laya1240 dittya1300 ditea1325 ode1579 dit1590 canton1594 canto1603 a1240 Ureisun in Cott. Hom. 199 Þet ich habbe þe i-sungen ðesne englissce lai. c1320 Orpheo 13–16 In Brytayn this layes arne ywrytt..Of aventures that fillen by dayes, Wherof Brytons made her layes. c1330 (?a1300) Sir Tristrem (1886) l. 551 An harpour made alay. a1400–50 Alexander 6 Sum has langing of lufe lays to herken. c1405 (c1395) G. Chaucer Franklin's Tale (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 2 Thise olde gentil Britons in hir dayes Of diuerse auentures maden layes.. Whiche layes with hir Instrumentz they songe Or ellis redden hem for hir plesaunce. c1405 (c1395) G. Chaucer Merchant's Tale (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 637 And in a lettre wroot he al his sorwe In manere of a compleynt or a lay. 1470–85 T. Malory Morte d'Arthur x. xxxi Thenne came Elyas the harper..and told hym the lay that Dynadan had made by Kynge Marke. 1484 W. Caxton tr. G. de la Tour-Landry Bk. Knight of Tower (1971) Prol. 11 I made songes, layes. Roundels balades. 1599 J. Davies Nosce Teipsum 38 The holy Angels Quire Doth spread his glorie, with spirituall layes. 1609 W. Shakespeare Pericles xx. 4 Shee sings like one immortall, and shee daunces As Goddesse-like to her admired layes . View more context for this quotation 1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics ii, in tr. Virgil Wks. 87 To Bacchus therefore let us tune our Lays . View more context for this quotation 1716 J. Gay Trivia i. 2 My Country's Love demands the Lays. 1718 M. Prior Solomon on Vanity ii, in Poems Several Occasions (new ed.) 434 Each morn they wak'd me with a sprightly lay; Of opening Heaven they sung. a1758 A. Ramsay Some of Contents Ever-green (1761) iii Attackis his freind Dunbar in comick layis. 1805 W. Scott (title) The lay of the last minstrel. 1827 J. Keble Christian Year II. xcvii. 182 Why should we think He turns away From infants' simple lays. 1842 T. B. Macaulay (title) Lays of Ancient Rome. 1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. iii. 418 The popular lays chaunted about the streets of Norwich and Leeds in the time of Charles the Second. 1850 Ld. Tennyson In Memoriam xlvii. 70 These brief lays, of Sorrow born. View more context for this quotation 1886 F. B. Jevons in Jrnl. Hellenic Stud. 7 303 The theory of the aggregationists, that the Iliad is an agglomeration of originally independent lays. b. poetic. Applied to the song of birds. ΘΚΠ the world > animals > birds > sound or bird defined by > [noun] > song songeOE lay13.. notec1330 shouting1508 record1582 charm1587 roundelay1588 ramage?1614 ornithology1655 jerk1675 birdsong1834 roll1933 13.. K. Alis. 5211 Mery time it is in May, The foules syngeth her lay. 1362 W. Langland Piers Plowman A. ix. 57 For to leorne the layes that louely foules maden. c1386 G. Chaucer Sir Thopas 58 The thrustelcok made eek his lay. 1390 J. Gower Confessio Amantis III. 119 Whan every bird upon his lay Among the grene leves singeth. a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 2 (1623) i. iii. 93 Madame, my selfe haue..plac't a Quier of such enticing Birds, That she will light to listen to the Layes. 1742 E. Young Complaint: Night the First 20 Sweet Philomel!..Every star Is deaf to mine, enamour'd of thy Lay. 1781 J. Logan Cuckoo in Poems 2 The school-boy..Starts, the new voice of Spring to hear, And imitates thy lay. †2. Strain, tune. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ society > leisure > the arts > music > musical sound > melody or succession of sounds > [noun] > a melody notec1300 warblec1374 moteta1382 tunea1387 measurea1393 modulationa1398 prolation?a1425 gammec1425 proportion?a1505 laya1529 stroke1540 diapason?1553 strain1579 cantus1590 stripe1590 diapase1591 air1597 pawson1606 spirit1608 melody1609 aria1742 refrain1795 toon1901 sounds1955 klangfarbenmelodie1959 a1529 J. Skelton Poems against Garnesche in Poet Wks. (1843) I. 126 Your chorlyshe chauntyng ys all o lay. 1581 J. Bell tr. W. Haddon & J. Foxe Against Jerome Osorius 118 A continuall ianglyng of this Portingall Coockoe chatteryng alwayes one maner of laye in myne eares. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1902; most recently modified version published online March 2022). † layn.⁵ Etymology: Apparently representing the reflex of unattested Old English læg , cognate with Old Norse lag* : see law n.² Obsolete. rare. A bill, score, reckoning. ΘΚΠ society > trade and finance > management of money > keeping accounts > account or statement of > [noun] > an account or reckoning accountc1300 taila1325 laya1400 tale1401 reckoningc1405 tailye1497 accounterc1503 lawing1535 note1587 post1604 chalking1613 tally1614 computus1631 tick1681 tab1889 slate1909 a1400 Metr. Hom. (Vernon MS.) in Archiv f. das Studium der Neueren Sprachen 57 267 He..bad his hostes feede hem þat day And sette heore costes in his lay. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1902; most recently modified version published online June 2021). † layn.⁶ Forms: Also Middle English–1500s laye, laie, 1500s–1700s ley. Etymology: ? Aphetic form of allay n.¹ Alloy. Chiefly attributive in lay metal, the name of a kind of pewter. ΘΚΠ society > occupation and work > materials > derived or manufactured material > metal > alloy > [noun] layc1480 metal1541 loy1598 mixed metal1617 alloy1689 allay1796 intermetallic1956 society > occupation and work > materials > derived or manufactured material > metal > alloy > [noun] > pewter > types of lay metalc1480 plate metal1668 plate pewter1828 trifle1839 trifle-pewter1875 c1480 (a1400) St. George 402 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) II. 187 Þi godis..ar mad bot of handis of men of gold and siluir & of clay, of stok, of stane ore of lay. 1489 Will of Nicholas Wynter (P.R.O.: PROB. 11/8) f. 156^v j C de fyne metall et j C de lay metall. 1503 Act 19 Hen. VII c. 6 §3 That no manere of person..make no holowe wares of Peauter, that is to say Saltes and Pottes that is made of Peweter called Ley Metell, but that it may be after the Assise of Peauter Ley Metell wrought within the Cite of London. 1534 in E. Peacock Eng. Church Furnit. (1866) 210 Item xxv platers of lay metall. 1538 Inv. in J. W. Clark Barnwell Introd. (1897) 23 Item j lauer of laye mettell. 1806 R. Patterson Adams's Lect. Nat. & Exper. Philos. (rev. ed.) I. App. 562 Lead and tin. Leypewter, soft sold[er]. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1902; most recently modified version published online March 2021). layn.⁷ Brit. /leɪ/, U.S. /leɪ/ Forms: Also 1500s–1600s laye, laie, ley(e. Etymology: < lay v.¹ †1. A wager, bet, stake. Often in even lay, a wager in which the chances are equal on either side, an even chance. Hence (in fair, good, etc. lay) = chance, hazard. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > existence and causation > causation > chance or causelessness > [noun] > haphazardness or randomness catch as catch cana1393 die1548 hazard1548 random1565 haphazard1569 chance-medley1583 lay1584 lottery1593 haphazarding1787 randomness1803 haphazardness1857 happy-go-luckiness1866 chanciness1870 flukiness1888 haphazardry1910 randomicity1936 the world > existence and causation > causation > chance or causelessness > [noun] > chance or opportunity > even chance jeopardyc1374 even lay1584 an equal, even wager1638 toss-up1809 turn-up1810 society > leisure > entertainment > pastimes > betting > [noun] > stake wager1303 wedc1330 wed-feec1475 stake1540 lay1584 lake1636 1584 R. Scot Discouerie Witchcraft vii. iv. 134 It is an euen laie, that an idiot shall coniecture right. 1601 P. Holland tr. Pliny Hist. World II. 495 They bound themselues by a sacred lay and oth to fight it out to the last man. 1604 T. Dekker & T. Middleton Honest Whore i. iv. 49 Done, tis a lay, ioyne golls on't. a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 2 (1623) v. iii. 20 + 9 Clif. My soule and bodie on the action both. Yor. A dreadfull lay . View more context for this quotation 1616 F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher Scornful Ladie v. sig. H2^v If I had bin vnhandsome, old or iealous, 't had bin an euen lay she might haue scorn'd me. 1725 New Canting Dict. (at cited word) Lay, An Hazard or Chance; as, He stands a queer Lay; He stands an odd Chance, or is in great Danger. 1726 D. Defoe Polit. Hist. Devil i. x. 149 By venturing my Life upon an even Lay with him. 1729 E. Erskine Wks. (1871) I. 453 What a fair lay sinners living under the Gospel dispensation have for the eternal Salvation of their Souls. 1769 Ld. Chesterfield Let. 2 Nov. (1932) (modernized text) VI. 2900 You will stand a very good lay, for if it is a prize it shall be yours, if a blank, mine. 2. a. A place of lying or lodging; lair, couch (of animals); an oyster- or mussel-bed; = laying n. 2c, layer n. 4b. ΘΚΠ the world > animals > by habitat > habitat > [noun] > dwelling place or shelter houseOE denOE holdc1275 lying-placea1382 coucha1398 homea1398 logis1477 starting-hole1530 cabbage1567 lodge1567 lair1575 lay1590 squat1590 hover1602 denning1622 start-holea1641 bed1694 niche1725 shed1821 lying1834 basking-hole1856 lie1869 homesite1882 holt1890 lying-ground1895 the world > animals > invertebrates > subkingdom Metazoa > grade Triploblastica or Coelomata > class Pelecypoda or Conchifera > [noun] > section Asiphonida > family Ostreidae > member of (oyster) > oyster bed scalp?15.. oyster bed1591 oyster bank1612 layer1667 oyster-lay1703 oyster-laying1761 oyster bar1823 laying1837 oyster park1862 oysterage1866 oyster field1868 lay1902 the world > animals > invertebrates > subkingdom Metazoa > grade Triploblastica or Coelomata > class Pelecypoda or Conchifera > [noun] > section Asiphonida > family Mytilidae > member of (mussel) > mussel bed mussel beda1450 mussel scalp1496 scalp?15.. mussel bank1634 lay1902 the world > animals > invertebrates > subkingdom Metazoa > grade Triploblastica or Coelomata > class Pelecypoda or Conchifera > [noun] > section Asiphonida > family Unionidae > member of > mussel bed lay1902 1590 R. Greene Mourning Garment 37 The Fawne doth choose his foode by the laie of the olde Bucke. a1625 J. Fletcher Bonduca i. ii, in F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher Comedies & Trag. (1647) sig. Gggg/2 I have found ye, your lays, and out-leaps Junius, haunts, and lodges. 1867 F. Francis Bk. Angling vii. 218 The boatman will probably know..the lay of the trout. 1902 Westm. Gaz. 12 June 10/1 The oyster and mussel lays off the foreshore have hitherto been worked on the large scale. 1905 Country Life 25 Mar. 400/2 More than 200 fresh oyster ‘lays’ have now been staked out on the north side of the Witham. †b. ? Right of pasturing cattle; ? number of cattle pastured at one time. Obsolete. ΚΠ 1596 in T. Harwood Hist. Lichfield (1806) 527 Rec. for the fyrst leye into the Churche yarde for foure and twentye beastes and a weanynge calfe—xxxvj. s. c. A period of lying inactive. ΚΠ 1921 R. D. Paine Comrades Rolling Ocean vi. 106 At any rate, they ought to be kept clear of long lays in these tropical ports. †3. A layer, stratum; a ‘course’ (of masonry). ΘΚΠ the world > space > relative position > condition of being external > covering > a layer > [noun] leyne?c1390 flake1577 lain1577 lay1588 stratum1599 bed1600 layer1615 strata1676 floor1692 laying1703 1588 T. Hickock tr. C. Federici Voy. & Trauaile f. 2^v First they laid a lay of Bricks, then a Mat made of Canes, square as the Bricks. 1594 H. Plat Diuerse Sorts of Soyle 35 in Jewell House By making a lay of dung of a foot in thicknesse. 1626 F. Bacon Sylua Syluarum §280 It was devised, that a Viall should have a Lay of Wire Strings below, as close to the Belly as a Lute. 1678 J. Moxon Mech. Exercises I. iv. 65 Continue your several lays of Plaining, till the whole upside of the Stuff be plained. c1682 J. Collins Salt & Fishery 16 It was..pressed into a Cask, with sprinklings of Salt between each Lay. 1693 J. Evelyn tr. J. de La Quintinie Reflect. Agric. ix. 55 in Compl. Gard'ner These..make up what we call a Bed or Lay of Roots. 1705 J. Addison Remarks Italy 391 Different Lays of White and Black Marble. 1725 R. Bradley Chomel's Dictionaire Œconomique at Vertigo Those [Animal Spirits] that are in the Lays of the Optick Nerves. 1769 E. Raffald Experienced Eng. House-keeper viii. 197 Lay them in the same Water, with a lay of Leaves betwixt. 4. The act of imposing a tax; an impost, assessment, rate, tax. Now dialect. ΘΚΠ society > trade and finance > fees and taxes > impost, due, or tax > tax > taxation > [noun] impositionc1374 taxing1413 levy1427 taxation1447 finance?c1475 taxage1483 levying1496 raisec1500 talliation1531 leviation1538 lay1558 tousting1565 stenting1587 cuttinga1599 imposing1610 assize1642 1558 in J. A. Picton City of Liverpool: Select. Munic. Rec. (1883) I. 95 It is to be levied by force of one ley yearly to be gathered by the Bailiffs for the time being. 1597 Churchwardens' Accts. Cartmel in J. Stockdale Annales Caermoelenses (1872) 36 A caste or laye should bee forthwith had throughout all the parish. 1601 Acct.-bk. W. Wray in Antiquary (1896) 32 79 A note of all layes and sesments..one laye of xxxs. 1624 Sir E. Sandys 15 Apr. in Cobbett Parl. Hist. (1806) I. 1421 In the lay of the first Imposition,..it was promised, That [etc.]. 1647 in J. A. Picton City of Liverpool: Select. Munic. Rec. (1883) I. 143 A Ley or Taxacion of xii^l. c1860 J. T. Staton Rays fro th' Loominary 34 Its some beggar, or else its th' chap ut collects th' lays. 1861 S. Smiles Lives Engineers I. 419 In 1750 a lay of 3d. in the pound produced only £6 2s. 1½d. 1888 S. O. Addy Gloss. Words Sheffield Lay, a rate, an assessment. 5. Rate or ‘terms’ of purchase or remuneration. U.S. regional. ΘΚΠ society > trade and finance > payment > [noun] > conditions of payment term1600 lay1712 payment term1926 1712 in Public Rec. Colony of Connecticut (1870) V. 333 Provided that such land..shall be sold to such possessors thereof at the same lay as the residue of said land. 1775 in N. Bouton Provinc. Papers New-Hampsh. (1873) VII. 425 Provided there can be more built at an easier Lay than in the country by the company. 1792 B. Marston in New-Eng. Historical & Geneal. Reg. (1873) XXVII. 399 I am engaged to go out with a large Company..[to Africa] as their Land Surveyor General, on a pretty good lay. 1816 J. Pickering Vocab. U.S. Lay, terms or conditions of a bargain; price. Ex. I bought the articles at a good lay; he bought his goods on the same lay that I did mine. A low word. New England. 1856 J. Reynolds Peter Gott ii. 26 He took in his fish at such a lay, that he made a good profit on them. 6. slang. A line or plan of business, occupation, adventure, etc.; a (particular) job, ‘line’, or ‘tack’: often in on (a certain) lay. ΘΚΠ society > occupation and work > [noun] > regular occupation, trade, or profession > line of business or work line1638 way1642 lay1707 walk1715 slang1789 métier1792 Fach1838 lark1934 line of work1957 1707 G. Farquhar Beaux Stratagem iii. 30 Cou'd I bring her to a Bastard, I shou'd have her all to my self; but I dare not put it upon that Lay, for fear of being sent for a Soldier. 1707 C. Cibber School-boy i. 3 The puppy will play, though he knows no more of the Lay, than a Milkwoman. 1715 R. Wodrow Corr. (1843) II. 97 To distinguish myself from the refusers upon a Jacobite lay. 1760 C. Johnstone Chrysal I. ii. viii. 194 I first set them on the lay. 1818 W. Scott Heart of Mid-Lothian iv, in Tales of my Landlord 2nd Ser. II. 83 I shall be on that lay nae mair. 1853 C. Dickens Bleak House xxii. 217 He's not to be found on his old lay. 1858 T. P. Thompson Audi Alteram Partem I. lii. 201 It is a sad thing for a great country..to have taken to the filibustering lay. If the word is from the vocabulary of thieves, to the conduct of thieves it is appropriate. 1876 W. Besant & J. Rice Golden Butterfly III. iv. 74 For a year or two he wrote poetry. But the papers in America, he found, were in a league against genius. So he gave up that lay. 7. a. The way, position, or direction in which something is laid or lies (esp. said of country); disposition or arrangement with respect to something. (Cf. lie n.²) ΘΚΠ the world > space > relative position > [noun] standing?c1400 situationa1484 setting?1523 disposition?1541 position1556 collocation1605 posture1605 standa1684 lie1697 lay1819 presentation1833 sit1857 gisement1864 orientation1875 the world > space > direction > [noun] > direction in which a thing extends journey?a1560 run1671 lie1697 line of bearing1717 trend1777 lay1819 orientation1875 1819 Sporting Mag. 5 50 The correctness of their [dogs'] judgment on the lay of the country. 1851 Jrnl. Royal Agric. Soc. 12 ii. 647 Where the corn has a decided lean in one direction, the machine, if worked against the lay of the straw, meets with the requisite resistance. a1862 H. D. Thoreau Maine Woods (1864) iii. 163 I did not know the exact route myself, but steered by the lay of the land. 1872 F. Francis Bk. Angling (ed. 3) v. 166 If the angler pulls against the..lay of the weed. 1878 H. M. Stanley Through Dark Continent I. xvi. 434 Seams of white quartz travelled along the lay of the strata. 1886 Ld. Walsingham & R. Payne-Gallwey Shooting (Badminton Libr. of Sports & Pastimes) I. 89 The lay of a gun to the shoulder when aimed depends..upon the ‘cast off’ and slope of the heel-plate. b. Nautical. Of a rope: The direction or amount of twist given to the strands. (Cf. lay v.¹ 37.) Also in Spinning (see quot. 1851). ΘΚΠ society > occupation and work > materials > derived or manufactured material > other manufactured or derived materials > [noun] > rope or cord > wire rope > twist given to strands of lay1800 Lang's lay1887 1800 Capt. Harvey in Naval Chron. 12 195 I was inclined to attribute this defect to the soft lay of the cable. 1839 A. Ure Dict. Arts 1071 In no one instance has a rope or cable thus formed, been found defective in the lay. 1851 L. D. B. Gordon in Art Jrnl. Illustr. Catal. v*/2 In the bobbin and fly-frames, the amount of lay, or quantity of twist given to the roving, is as little as is compatible with their being unwound without impairing their uniformity. c1860 H. Stuart Novices or Young Seaman's Catech.* (rev. ed.) 2 By taking a half hitch round and against the lay of the rope. c. Printing. The arrangement of type in the case from which a compositor takes it; in full, lay of the case; also = lay gauge n. at Compounds. ΘΚΠ society > communication > printing > composing equipment > [noun] > case for type > arrangement of type in case lay of the case1871 society > communication > printing > paper > [noun] > paper used as position guide tympan-sheet1683 lay-edge1892 lay1915 1683 J. Moxon Mech. Exercises II. 200 The manner how the several sorts of Letters are disposed in the several Boxes, is called, Laying of the Case.] 1871 Amer. Encycl. Printing 269/2 Lay of the Case, the system upon which the various letters, points, spaces, quadrats, etc., are distributed among the different boxes in a case. 1884 J. Gould Letter-press Printer (ed. 3) 29 I give the following illustration of the upper-case as it is most commonly laid. In some offices, however, the ‘lay’ is quite different. 1888 C. T. Jacobi Printers' Vocab. 73 Lay, this refers to the position of the print on a sheet of paper. 1915 Southward's Mod. Printing (ed. 3) I. xxvi. 150 A printed plan of the case..will also be useful to experienced compositors, for there are many variations of the lay to be found in printing offices. 1915 Southward's Mod. Printing (ed. 3) II. iv. 45 The Feed or Laying-on Board is, in the Wharfedale machine, at the base of the cylinder... On the front of the board are the gauges, or ‘lays’, to which the sheet of paper is laid. 1946 A. Monkman in H. Whetton Pract. Printing & Binding ii. 20/1 There is no standardized lay in this country although the variations are in the main only concerned with such characters as the ligatures.., figures, and lower-case k and q. 1946 V. S. Ganderton in H. Whetton Pract. Printing & Binding xi. 142/1 Lays, sheet-bands, grippers, and wheels shall be in identical positions on the sheet... If..the register is out along the grip edge, the fault may be due to the front lays lifting too early or too late. 1969 Stud. in Bibliogr. 22 125 (title) The lay of the case. 1969 Stud. in Bibliogr. 22 125 The single lay, as used for instance in Germany and Switzerland, employs one large case for a fount of type. 1970 E. A. D. Hutchings Surv. Printing Processes 199 Lays, machine, the points against which a sheet is positioned on the machine prior to impression taking place. 1972 P. Gaskell New Introd. Bibliogr. 36 Lays for exotic founts were usually adaptations of those used for the Latin alphabet. d. A woman who is readily available for sexual intercourse; an act of sexual intercourse. slang (originally U.S.). Cf. lay v.¹ 2b. ΘΚΠ the world > physical sensation > sexual relations > sexual activity > [noun] > sexual intercourse > an act of swivec1560 fall1594 sleep1612 fuck1663 merry bout1780 stroke1785 screw?c1845 charver1846 fuckeea1866 sex act1888 frigc1890 grind1893 mount1896 poke1902 tumble1903 screwing1904 ride1905 roll1910 trick1926 lay1932 jump1934 bang1937 knock1937 shag1937 a roll in the hay1945 boff1956 naughty1959 root1961 shtup1964 home run1967 seeing to1970 legover1975 bonk1978 zatch1980 boink1989 society > morality > moral evil > licentiousness > unchastity > [noun] > sexual indulgence > unchaste behaviour of woman > unchaste or loose woman > woman who makes herself available pushover1916 pick-me-up1918 round-heeler1927 lay1932 make1933 round heel1933 round heels1944 hump1969 pull1969 spare1969 1932 J. T. Farrell in Story Mar.–Apr. 46 A foursome passed homeward; two of the group were girls whom Jack and George agreed were swell lays. 1934 J. O'Hara Appointment in Samarra (1935) vi. 159 If there was ever an easy lay she was it. 1936 J. Dos Passos Big Money 254 There never been a girl got a spoken word by givin' that fourflusher a lay. 1955 W. Gaddis Recognitions ii. i. 317 She's the girl you used to go around with in college? She's a good lay. 1955 G. Greene Quiet Amer. ii. iii. 173 You'll just keep her as a comfortable lay until you leave. 1958 E. Dundy Dud Avocado iii. vi. 266 Roving photographer..blows into town on the lookout for a quick lay. 1962 Listener 9 Aug. 223/3 His characters are without perspective: engrossed completely in their own lives, hardly seeing..beyond the next drink, the next lay, the next five pounds. 1971 B. Malamud Tenants 16 Tonight an unexpected party, possibly a lay with a little luck. 8. A share in a venture; esp. in Whaling, the proportion of the proceeds of a voyage which is allotted to a man. on a lay, on shares ( Cent. Dict.). Also, by the lay (Smyth Sailor's Word-bk. 1867). ΘΚΠ society > trade and finance > management of money > income, revenue, or profit > profit > [noun] > profit to be shared > share of profits > of fishing or whaling expedition lay1850 voyage1859 liver money1897 stocker1904 1850 H. T. Cheever Whale & his Captors iii. 53 With eager hope to obtain the oily material wherewith to..make good their ‘lay’. 1859 Jrnl. Royal Agric. Soc. 20 i. 113 Every one on board..has ‘a lay’ in the venture. 1879 H. George Progress & Poverty i. iii. 47 On American whaling ships the custom is not to pay fixed wages, but a ‘lay’, or proportion of the catch. 1898 F. T. Bullen Cruise ‘Cachalot’ iv. 33 Each of us was on the two hundredth ‘lay’..which meant that for every two hundred barrels taken on board, we were entitled to one. 9. in (good, full) lay: laying eggs. ΚΠ 1885 Bazaar, Exchange & Mart 30 Mar. 1267/3 4 pullets, in full lay. 10. concrete. (See quot. 1795.) ΚΠ 1795 W. Felton Treat. Carriages II. (Gloss.) 226 Lays, a strip of leather which is sewed on the top of another that is broader, for the purpose of additional strength, or to confine a smaller buckle. Compounds lay-edge n. Printing the edge of a sheet of paper which is used to determine the correct position of the sheet in a press. ΘΚΠ society > communication > printing > paper > [noun] > paper used as position guide tympan-sheet1683 lay-edge1892 lay1915 1892 A. Powell Southward's Pract. Printing (ed. 4) I. 444 Turn over the sheet..and place it upon the feeding or laying-on board, with the same lay-edge towards the grippers as before. 1946 V. S. Ganderton in H. Whetton Pract. Printing & Binding xi. 143/2 An untrimmed lay edge is an unknown quantity, and no two sheets stand up to the lays in the same way if they have a feather edge. For exact work, paper should always be trimmed. lay gauge n. an attachment on a printing press that keeps the paper in the correct position. ΘΚΠ society > communication > printing > printing machine or press > parts of printers or presses > [noun] > device for keeping paper in position frisket1683 gauge-pin1891 lay gauge1892 1892 A. Powell Southward's Pract. Printing (ed. 4) xlix. 434 Now set the lay gauges on the machine, so that the paper when fed to these will..occupy the right position on the cylinder to receive the impression where it is intended to be. 1961 T. Landau Encycl. Librarianship (ed. 2) 190/1 Lay edges. The edges of a sheet of paper which are laid against the front and side lay gauges of a printing or folding machine. † lay-layer n. Obsolete an assessor of rates. ΘΚΠ society > trade and finance > fees and taxes > impost, due, or tax > tax > taxation > [noun] > fixing amount of tax > one who assesses taxer1377 taxator1424 gauger1483 sessor1496 cessor1565 modifier1570 stentor1574 layer1602 mise-layer1604 assessor1611 stentmaster1624 list-maker1666 lay-layer1669 lister1682 1669 in J. A. Picton City of Liverpool: Select. Munic. Rec. (1883) I. 328 The common assesso^rs or Leylayers of this towne. Draft additions 1997 North American. In Placer Mining, a lease to work a claim for a percentage of the proceeds. Frequently const. on. Now Historical. ΘΚΠ society > occupation and work > industry > mining > [noun] > staking claims > lease to work claim lay1898 1898 Yukon Midnight Sun (Dawson, Yukon Territory) 11 June 1/2 Some of these lay holders say they have not made wages. 1908 I. Beebe True Life Story Sweetwater Bill Gales viii. 74 Sweetwater..took a lay on a claim on Dexter Creek and cleaned up. 1908 I. Beebe True Life Story Sweetwater Bill Gales ix. 81 He took the money that he made from the lay on Dexter Creek and spent it gambling. 1927 H. Young Hall Young of Alaska 352 Hundreds of chechacos had taken ‘lays’ along that creek and were putting down holes here and there in hope of finding a pay streak. The royalty on these lays received by the owners varied from thirty to seventy-five per cent of the gross output, according to the prospects of the claim. 1943 W. H. Chase Sourdough Pot xii. 72 [They] endeavored to get lays on claims already located. That is, to work a part of a claim on shares, or a percentage basis. 1965 S. G. Lawrence 40 Yrs. on Yukon Telegraph iii. 19 Lays on claims vary according to the owners. In this deal I keep seventy per cent of the gold I take out and the owner gets thirty per cent. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1902; most recently modified version published online June 2022). layn.⁸ Brit. /leɪ/, U.S. /leɪ/ Etymology: variant of lathe n.³, lathe n.⁴ dialect. 1. Weaving. The batten of a loom; = lathe n.⁴ ΘΚΠ the world > textiles and clothing > textiles > textile manufacture > manufacture textile fabric or that which consists of > manufacture of textile fabric > [noun] > weaving > loom > lay or batten lay1789 shuttle-bearer1835 1789 A. Wilson Jrnl. 2 Oct. in Poems & Lit. Prose (1876) I. 16 The palefac'd weaver plies the resounding lay. 1825 ‘J. Nicholson’ Operative Mechanic 412 The lay which carries the reed, is hung from a bar. 1844 G. Dodd Textile Manuf. Great Brit. i. 44 The batten or lay by which the weft-thread is driven up close. 1891 J. M. Barrie Little Minister I. iii. 31 The lay still swings at little windows like a great ghost pendulum. 2. Used for lathe n.³ 2.‘In parts of Scotland, the turning lathe is still called lay.’ ( N.E.D.) ΚΠ 1797 Godwin in C. K. Paul Life (1876) I. 259 The potters we saw in the morning, turning a wheel, or treading a lay. Compounds The compound lay-rod, lea-rod, in some dictionaries, referred to this word, is an altered form of lease-rod: see lease n.⁴, and cf. lea n.⁴ lay-cap n. a wooden bar which lies on the top of the reed and is held by the workman in working the lay. ΚΠ 1831 G. R. Porter Treat. Silk Manuf. 217 A top piece having a longitudinal groove along its lower side which is called the lay-cap. 1839 A. Ure Dict. Arts 1287 The lay-cap..is the part of the lay which the hand-loom weaver seizes with his hand, in order to swing it towards him. lay-race n. (see quot. 1855). ΚΠ 1855 J. Ogilvie Suppl. Imperial Dict. Lay-race, that part of the lay on which the shuttle travels from one side to the other of the web. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1902; most recently modified version published online March 2022). layadj.n.⁹ Brit. /leɪ/, U.S. /leɪ/ Forms: Also Middle English–1500s laye, 1500s leye, laii, Middle English–1600s laie, 1500s–1600s lai. Etymology: < French lai (now replaced by the learned form laïque ) < ecclesiastical Latin lāicus , < Greek λᾱϊκός (compare laic adj. and n.). Compare Middle Dutch leec (Dutch leek), Old High German leigo (Middle High German leige, leie, modern German laie) layman. A. adj. 1. Of persons: Belonging to the ‘people’ as contradistinguished from the clergy; not in orders, non-clerical.When prefixed to official titles, the adjective is often hyphenated. ΘΚΠ society > faith > church government > laity > [adjective] lewdc890 worldlyOE of the world?c1225 secularc1290 layc1330 temporalc1340 borel1377 common?c1400 profane1474 laic1562 layit1563 laical1570 non-ecclesiastical1630 mundane1848 c1330 [see sense B.]. c1450 Jacob's Well (1900) 34 Alle relygious men þat to leryd or to layfolk..mynystren ony of þise in sacramentys. ?a1475 (?a1425) tr. R. Higden Polychron. (Harl. 2261) (1874) V. 289 That noo clerke scholde receyve investiture of his benefice..of the honde of a seculer lay man. 1481 W. Caxton tr. Siege & Conqueste Jerusalem (1893) xv. 42 The maners of the Clergye and of the laye peple. a1519 J. Colet Ryght Frutefull Monycion (1534) 6 If thou be laye & vnmaryed. 1548 R. Crowley Informacion & Peticion sig. Av The Laie and priuate persons, ar as well of the flocke of Christe as the other. 1641 J. Milton Reason Church-govt. 52 Neither did the first Nicene councel..think it any robbery to..require the help..of many learned lay brethren, as they were then calld. 1651 C. Cartwright Certamen Religiosum i. 76 It is erroneous..that a Lay~man (as your Lay-Chancellour) should excommunicate and deliver up soules to Sathan. 1655 H. L'Estrange Reign King Charles 186 No Convocation having power to grant any Subsidies, or aid without confirmation from the Lay-Senate. 1717 G. Berkeley Jrnls. Trav. Italy 8 Jan. in Wks. (1955) VII. 246 A good number of Gentlemen Lay as well as Ecclesiastic. 1766 T. Gray Let. 13 Oct. in Corr. (1971) III. 941 Ansel is lately dead, a lay-fellow of your college. 1804 W. Cruise Digest Laws Eng. Real Prop. III. 78 The Lord Chief Baron was of opinion, that a layman could not prescribe in non decimando against a lay impropriator, no more than against a spiritual one. 1820 W. Scott Monastery II. i. 5 [A] mill, erected on the lands of a lay-baron. 1873 P. G. Hamerton Intellect. Life (1875) xi. i. 398 A powerful lay element is certainly separating itself from the ecclesiastical element all over Europe. 1893 Globe 1 July 6/4 The Lay Helpers' Association of the diocese of London. 2. Characteristic of, connected or concerned with, occupied or performed by, laymen or the laity. ΚΠ 1609 Bible (Douay) II. Index Laiheadshippe of the Church is rejected by most Heretiques, and by al Catholiques. 1623 W. Shakespeare & J. Fletcher Henry VIII i. iv. 11 Had the Cardinall But halfe my Lay-thoughts in him. View more context for this quotation 1649 Bp. J. Taylor Great Exemplar ii. xi. 25 It cannot hallow a Lay designe, and make it fitt to become a religious ministery. 1675 in Parl. Hist. (1808) IV. 783 This bribing men by drink is a lay simony. 1750 T. Carte Gen. Hist. Eng. II. 129 These were levelled against lay-patronages, and the prohibitions of secular Courts. 1765 W. Blackstone Comm. Laws Eng. I. 458 Lay corporations are of two sorts, civil and eleemosynary. 1767 W. Blackstone Comm. Laws Eng. (new ed.) II. 61 The four kinds of lay tenure which subsisted in England, till the middle of the last century. 1780 W. Cowper Progress of Error 371 With reverend tutor clad in habit lay. 1816 S. T. Coleridge Statesman's Man. (title) The Statesman's Manual..: A Lay Sermon, addressed to the higher classes of society. 1867 A. Trollope Last Chron. Barset II. xlvii. 31 The bishop strove to get up a little lay conversation. 3. Transferred senses. †a. Uninstructed, unlearned. Obsolete. rare. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > want of knowledge, ignorance > [adjective] unlearedeOE untowenc1000 unwittyc1000 skillessc1175 uncouthc1220 lewda1225 lorelessa1300 simplea1325 layc1330 uncunning1340 untaughtc1340 unknowingc1350 rudea1382 roida1400 unquainta1400 ignorant?c1400 unlearnedc1400 misknowing?a1425 simple-hearted?c1425 unknownc1475 unkenningc1480 unweeting1483 nescienta1500 craftlessc1530 misliterate1532 sillya1547 ingram1553 gross1561 inscient1578 borowe1579 plain-headeda1586 empirical1588 rudeful1589 lack-learning1590 learnless?1593 wotless?1594 ingrant1597 untutored1597 small-knowing1598 uninstructed1598 unlearnt1609 unread1609 unware?1611 nescious1623 inscious1633 inscientifical1660 uninformed1702 unaware1704 unable1721 unsuspecting1776 inerudite1801 ill-informed1824 incognoscent1827 unminded1831 unknowledgeable1837 knowledgelessc1843 parviscient1862 clueless1943 c1330 R. Mannyng Chron. (1810) 171 Lered men and lay, fre and bond of toune. 1535 Bible (Coverdale) Acts iv. B They sawe the boldnesse of Peter & Ihon and marueyled, for they were sure y^t they were vnlerned and laye people. b. Non-professional, not expert, esp. with reference to law and medicine. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > want of knowledge, ignorance > unfamiliarity with, inexperience > [adjective] unwistc1374 unknowna1393 ignorantc1475 imperfect1508 rawa1513 unskilfula1547 imperite?1550 illiterate1556 strange1561 unacquainted1565 green-headed1569 unacquainted1581 unacquaint1587 unfledged1603 inexperienced1626 guiltless1667 inexperient1670 unconversanta1674 unversed1675 uninitiated1678 a stranger to1697 uninitiate1801 inconversant1802 lay1821 griffish1836 wet behind the ears1851 neophytic1856 griffinish1860 experienceless1875 neophytish1897 wet-eared1967 1821 J. Bentham Elements Art of Packing 207 If the practice of the Courts..be to such a degree a secret to Great Law Officers, can it be wondered that they should be equally so to lay-gents, such as Sheriffs and Members of Parliament? 1826 J. Bentham in Westm. Rev. Oct. 457 Lay-gents however..will..see a convenience in it. 1861 H. S. Maine Anc. Law ii. 32 A mine of law unrevealed to the bar and to the lay-public. 1883 W. A. Jevons in Law Times 27 Oct. 431/2 Lay legislators..jumped to the conclusion that [etc.]. 1892 Law Times 94 171/2 There is a natural confusion in the lay mind between a trustee and an executor. 1897 J. W. Clark Observ. Priory Barnwell p. lxvii The prevention of disease, as well as the cure of it, is too technical for lay interference. †c. Unhallowed, unsanctified; unspiritual, secular, worldly, esp. in lay part. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > life > the body > [noun] lichamc888 bodyeOE earthOE lichOE bone houseOE dustc1000 fleshOE utter mana1050 bonesOE bodiȝlichc1175 bouka1225 bellyc1275 slimec1315 corpsec1325 vesselc1360 tabernaclec1374 carrion1377 corsec1386 personc1390 claya1400 carcass1406 lump of claya1425 sensuality?a1425 corpusc1440 God's imagea1450 bulka1475 natural body1526 outward man1526 quarrons1567 blood bulk1570 skinfula1592 flesh-rind1593 clod1595 anatomy1597 veil1598 microcosm1601 machine1604 outwall1608 lay part1609 machina1612 cabinet1614 automaton1644 case1655 mud wall1662 structure1671 soul case1683 incarnation1745 personality1748 personage1785 man1830 embodiment1850 flesh-stuff1855 corporeity1865 chassis1930 soma1958 society > faith > aspects of faith > spirituality > unspirituality > [adjective] worldlyOE dryc1175 fleshlyc1175 of the world?c1225 secularc1290 timely1340 of hencec1384 uttermore1395 worldisha1400 profane1474 humanc1475 mundanec1475 mundial1499 carnal?1510 seculary1520 unghostly1526 worldly-minded1528 sensual1529 earthly-minded1535 civil1536 subcelestial1561 worldly-witted1563 secular-minded1597 ghostlessa1603 lay1609 mundal1614 non-ecclesiastical1630 unspiritual1643 wilderness1651 worldly-handed1657 outward1674 timesome1674 apsychical1678 secularized1683 hylastic1684 choical1708 Sadducee1746 gay1798 unspiritualized1816 secularizing1825 unreligious1832 secularistic1862 apneumatic1864 Sadduceeic1875 this-worldly1883 this world1889 1609 Bible (Douay) I. 1 Sam. xxi. 4 I have no lay breads [L. laicos panes] at hand, but only holy bread. a1613 T. Overbury Wife (1614) sig. B8 That goodly frame we see of Flesh and bloode..it is I say But their Laye-part, but well digested foode. 1615 T. Adams Spirituall Nauigator 40 in Blacke Devill We see but the lay-part of things with these opticke organs. 1633 G. Herbert Priesthood in Temple x Exchanging my lay-sword For that of th' holy word. a1668 W. Waller Divine Medit. (1839) 58 Thou hast shewed mercy to my worldly part, to my lay part; O heal my spiritual part. †B. n.⁹ The lay people, laity; also, a layman. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ society > faith > church government > laity > [noun] sheepc825 herdc1000 layc1330 flocka1340 fold1340 clergy1382 temporalty1387 lay-feec1425 temporalityc1485 laity?1541 lealty1548 people1549 layperson1972 society > faith > church government > laity > [noun] > member of worldhoodeOE man of the worlda1225 secularc1425 idiot?c1430 layman?a1475 lay?1533 beardling1568 laic1596 terrestrial1602 layperson1972 c1330 R. Mannyng Chron. (1810) 100 Þe kyng in þe courte of þe lay þe clerkes wild justise. 1528 W. Tyndale Obed. Christen Man f. xl^v What other thynge causeth the laye so litle to regarde there princes, as that they se them both dispised and disobeyed of the spiritualte? ?1530 tr. J. Colet Serm. Conuocacion Paulis ii. sig. Ciij The clergies..part ones reformed..than may we with a iuste order procede to the reformation of the lays [1661 laities; L. laicalis] part. ?1533 G. Du Wes Introductorie for to lerne Frenche sig. Siv ^v All the men..As well clerkes and lays. 1579 E. Spenser Shepheardes Cal. May 76 Men of the laye. 1596 W. Warner Albions Eng. (rev. ed.) ix. l. 229 From the Laie the Scriptures light to hide. 1616 B. Jonson Epigrammes cxxxi, in Wks. I. 813 The learn'd haue no more priuiledge, then the lay. 1670 J. Milton Hist. Brit. iv. 181 Sparing neither Preist nor Lay. 1680 G. Hickes Spirit of Popery 23 They were Priviledged to come to the Altar, when all other Laies were forbidden. Compounds C1. Special collocations. See also lay-fee n. lay abbot n. (see quot.). ΚΠ 1872 O. Shipley Gloss. Eccl. Terms at Abbot Lay-Abbot, a layman in possession of abbey property. Called also Abbot Non-religious. lay analysis n. psychoanalysis undertaken by an analyst who has not been medically trained. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > psychology > theory of psychoanalysis > [noun] > by lay analyst lay analysis1927 1927 Internat. Jrnl. Psycho-anal. 8 174 The Central Executive of the International Psycho-Analytical Association informs us it is their intention to bring forward the question of ‘Lay Analysis’ at the next Congress, so that opinions may be heard and, so far as possible, decisions arrived at in the matter. 1928 A. P. Maerker-Branden tr. S. Freud Probl. Lay-anal. i. 25 Let me, therefore, state that the problem of Lay-Analyses expresses itself most succinctly in the question of whether medically untrained laymen should be permitted to practise psychoanalysis. lay analyst n. one who practises psychoanalysis without medical training. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > psychology > theory of psychoanalysis > [noun] > practitioner of > without medical training lay analyst1928 1928 A. P. Maerker-Branden tr. S. Freud Probl. Lay-anal. viii. 171 As soon as the physician has ascertained this, he may safely leave the treatment to the lay-analyst. 1955 M. McCarthy Charmed Life (1956) ii. 36 He had been..a lay analyst. lay baptism n. baptism administered by a layman. ΘΚΠ society > faith > worship > sacrament > baptism > kinds of baptism > by layman > [noun] lay baptism1726 1726 J. Ayliffe Parergon Juris Canonici Anglicani 105 Such Priests as question'd the Validity of Lay-Baptism. lay bishop n. †(a) applied derisively to those who set up as teachers of morality; (b) a playful term for a lay-rector. ΘΚΠ society > education > teaching > teacher > [noun] > edifier preacher?c1225 edifier1678 lay bishop1693 1693 J. Dryden Examen Poeticum Ded. sig. A7^v Those Lay-Bishops, as some call them, who under pretence of reforming the Stage, wou'd intrude themselves upon us, as our Superiours. 1806 M. R. Mitford Let. 2 Nov. in A. G. L'Estrange Life M. R. Mitford (1870) I. ii. 58 The Colonel is the patron..of this fine church (for he is what they call a lay bishop, and still receives the tributary pence from the communicants). lay brother n. a man who has taken the habit and vows of a religious order, but is employed mostly in manual labour and is exempt from the studies or choir-duties required of the other members; also, in Freemasonry, applied to one who is not initiated. ΘΚΠ society > faith > church government > laity > lay brother or sister > [noun] > lay brother lewd frerec1380 lay brother?c1500 convert brother1640 ?c1500 MS BL Add. 22285 in Myroure Oure Ladye (1873) Introd. p. xxi (note) I N. N. broþer professyd in the order & degre of a lay brother or ffocary. 1679 Trials of Wakeman 34 He is a Benedictine Monk, or at least~wise a Lay Brother. 1742 A. Pope New Dunciad 568 (note) ‘A Gregorian, or a Gormogon’, A sort of Lay-brothers, Slips from the root of the Free-Masons. 1823 T. De Quincey Rosicrucians & Free-masons in Wks. (1871) XVI. 363 That lay-brothers were admitted for the performance of servile offices is not to be taken as any departure from the general rule. 1866 C. Kingsley Hereward the Wake I. i. 57 He dismounted, and halloed to a lay brother to see to his horse. † lay chattels n. [Anglo-Norman lai chatel] Obsolete (see quot.). ΚΠ 1618 J. Selden Hist. Tithes ii. 13 After those Tenths thus disposed of the remnant of that yeers increase they called ןינחותמ ןילוח that is, as if you should say, euery way prepared or fit for common vse, or absolutely Lay Chattels. lay clerk n. (a) a ‘singing man’ in a cathedral or collegiate church; (b) a parish clerk: see clerk n. 2b. ΘΚΠ society > faith > church government > laity > lay functionaries > clerk > [noun] > of parish parish clerkc1390 town clerk?1527 church clerk1535 clerk1549 lay clerk1786 1786 T. Busby Compl. Dict. Music Lay-Clerk, a vocal officiate in a cathedral, who takes part in the services and anthems, but is not of the priesthood. 1877 F. G. Lee Gloss. Liturg. & Eccl. Terms Lay clerk,..a layman who in the Church of England, by the tacit consent of the bishop or ordinary, or by the direct authority of the parish priest, assists in divine service. 1892 J. C. Blomfield Hist. Heyford 17 He was fulfilling the office of lay-clerk in that parish. lay communion n. (a) the condition of being in communion with the Church as a layman; (b) the communicating of the laity in the Eucharist. ΘΚΠ society > faith > worship > sacrament > communion > [noun] > by the laity lay communion1847 1680 W. Allen Perswasive to Peace & Unity (ed. 2) Postscr. 149 Their concession touching the Lawfulness of Lay-Communion with our Parish Churches. 1847 N. Wiseman in Dublin Rev. Jan. 476 The Host given in lay-communion. 1880 W. Smith & S. Cheetham Dict. Christian Antiq. II. 947 Offences which in a lay~man were punished by ἀϕορισμός,..were in the clergy punished by reduction to ‘lay communion’. lay deacon n. a man in deacon's orders who devotes only part of his time to religious ministrations, while following a secular employment. ΘΚΠ society > faith > church government > member of the clergy > deacon > [noun] > lay lay deacon1861 1861 M. Arnold Pop. Educ. France 117 If the National schools of England were taught by an order of lay deacons. 1884 Sat. Rev. 12 July 49/2 The proposed scheme of starting a new order of ministers in the Church of England under the strangely paradoxical designation..of ‘lay-deacons’. lay elder n. (see elder adj. 4). ΘΚΠ society > faith > church government > laity > lay functionaries > elder > [noun] priestOE senior1382 presbyter1528 lay elder1593 ruling elder1593 presbyter-bishop1654 lay presbyter1656 society > faith > church government > ecclesiastical discipline > court > presbyterian > [noun] > kirk-session > member of elder1526 presbyter1581 lay elder1593 ruling elder1593 elderling1606 1593 R. Hooker Of Lawes Eccl. Politie Pref. 22 The power of your layelders. 1827 H. Hallam Constit. Hist. Eng. II. xvii. 668 Each parish had its minister, lay-elder, and deacon. lay-eldership n. ΘΚΠ society > faith > church government > laity > lay functionaries > elder > [noun] > office of lay-eldership1641 ruling eldership1711 1641 ‘Smectymnuus’ Vindic. Answer Hvmble Remonstr. xv. 185 Al patrons of Layeldership. Categories » lay judge n. a judge who is not a lawyer ( Cent. Dict.). lay lord n. a peer who is not a lawyer; opposed to law lord. ΘΚΠ society > authority > rule or government > ruler or governor > deliberative, legislative, or administrative assembly > governing or legislative body of a nation or community > English or British parliament > [noun] > Member of Parliament > types of member of House of Lords law-lord1773 lay lord1863 backwoodsman1909 overlord1951 backwoods peer1956 1863 H. Cox Inst. Eng. Govt. ii. vi. 481 Certain lay lords expressed an intention of voting, but ultimately, on the recommendation of the law lords, with~drew. lay Parliament n. = Unlearned Parliament n. at unlearned adj. and n. Compounds. ΘΚΠ society > authority > rule or government > ruler or governor > deliberative, legislative, or administrative assembly > governing or legislative body of a nation or community > English or British parliament > [noun] > a particular English or British parliament > specific great Parliamentc1450 Good Parliament1580 addle parliament1614 giunto1641 junto1641 Unlearned Parliament1643 Long Parliament1646 rump?1653 Short Parliament1653 lay Parliament1655 Barebone's Parliament1657 Rump Parliament1659 Little Parliamenta1675 Long Parliament1678 Pensioner Parliament1678 Pensioned Parliament1681 Bluestocking Parliamenta1683 Pension Parliament1682 Pensionary Parliament1690 marvellous Parliament?1706 rumple1725 lack-learning Parliament1765 unreported Parliament1839 Cavalier Parliament1849 Addled Parliament1857 merciless Parliament1875 wonderful Parliament1878 nominated Parliament1898 1655 T. Fuller Church-hist. Brit. vi. 302 The Lay-Parliament,..which did wholly Wicclifize, kept in the twelfth year of King Henry the fourth. 1885 F. Y. Powell in F. Y. Powell et al. Hist. Eng. I. v. i. 294 In October 1404 the Lay or Unlearned Parliament was called. lay pope n. a layman who assumes the authority of a pope. ΚΠ 1826 W. E. Andrews Crit. & Hist. Rev. Fox's Bk. Martyrs II. 179 The mere tools of the royal lay-pope. lay preacher n. an unordained preacher, esp. among Methodists. ΘΚΠ society > faith > church government > member of the clergy > preacher > [noun] > lay prophet1560 green apron1654 lay preacher1747 local preacher1765 local1824 1747 J. Wesley Wks. (1872) II. 67 He expressed the most rooted prejudice against Lay-Preachers. 1790 J. Wesley Wks. (1872) IV. 493 Joseph Humphrys; the first Lay Preacher that assisted me in England, in the year 1738. 1823 A. Clarke Mem. Wesley Family 34 From this conversation we learn..that he was a lay-preacher. 1906 ‘M. Twain’ What is Man? 40 In the Adirondack woods is a wage-earner and lay preacher in the lumber-camps. 1962 H. Davies Worship & Theol. in England IV. ix. 258 John Nelson..one of Wesley's most trusted lay preachers. 1975 ‘R. Lewis’ Double Take ii. 58 He..was a Methodist lay preacher and a supporter of good causes. † lay presbyter n. Obsolete ? = ‘lay elder’. ΘΚΠ society > faith > church government > laity > lay functionaries > elder > [noun] priestOE senior1382 presbyter1528 lay elder1593 ruling elder1593 presbyter-bishop1654 lay presbyter1656 1656 R. Sanderson 20 Serm. Pref. sig. a^v Where are your Lay-Presbyters, your Classis, &c. to be found in Scripture? lay presbytery n. ΘΚΠ society > faith > church government > laity > lay functionaries > elder > [noun] > collectively lay presbytery1640 1640 Bp. J. Hall Episcopacie iii. ii. 224 Wheresoever they finde mention of an Elder in the New Testament, [they] think presently of a Lay-Presbytery. lay psychiatrist n. one who practises psychiatry without medical training. ΚΠ 1958 ‘J. Bell’ Seeing Eye xiv. 147 He has been more successful as a lay psychiatrist than he has as a general practitioner. lay psychoanalyst n. one who practises psychoanalysis without medical training. ΚΠ 1933 Harper's Mag. Jan. 186/1 A lay psycho-analyst finds that the political philosophy of Thomas Jefferson was a product of Jefferson's infantile revolt against his father. lay reader n. (a) a layman licensed to conduct religious services; (b) a reader of a book, etc., on a subject of which he has no professional or specialist knowledge. ΘΚΠ society > communication > reading > reader > [noun] > other types of reader running reader1588 stall-reader1673 wall-observer1673 reading machine1809 readeress1830 lay reader1883 society > faith > church government > laity > lay functionaries > lay-reader > [noun] lay reader1883 1883 Official Year-bk. Ch. Eng. 110 The importance..of recognizing the assistance of Lay Readers, and of assigning them their proper place in the service of the Church... The office of Lay Reader is also fully recognized in the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States. 1885 W. James Coll. Ess. & Rev. (1920) 282 To the lay-reader, this absolute Idealism doubtless seems insubstantial and unreal enough. 1907 W. James Pragmatism ii. 74 Farther than that the ordinary lay-reader in philosophy..does not venture to sharpen his conceptions. 1912 Motor 17 Dec. 980/1 The subject matter is..written in a manner easily understood by the lay reader. 1947 Mind 56 156 This is done in so compressed and allusive a manner that..the lay reader could scarcely be expected to grasp it adequately. lay rector n. a layman receiving rectorial tithes. ΘΚΠ society > faith > church government > member of the clergy > rector > [noun] > lay rector lay rector1778 1778 W. Marshall Minutes Agric. Digest 6 The Landed Gentlemen, the Clergy, and the Lay Rectors, have industriously propagated this false spirit of farming. lay sister n. the analogue in a female religious order of a lay brother. ΘΚΠ society > faith > church government > laity > lay brother or sister > [noun] > lay sister half-sister?1484 convert sister1640 lay sister1709 1709 R. Steele Tatler No. 129. ⁋4 Whether the Ladies so called are Nuns or Lay-Sisters. 1825 W. Scott Betrothed i, in Tales Crusaders II. 4 Her cellaress, her precentrix, and the lay-sisters of the kitchen. lay vicar n. (see vicar n.). C2. Combinations, as †lay-conceited, lay-minded adjs. ΚΠ 1613 H. Finch Law (1636) To Rdr. The very phrase, the termes of Art, excluding all hope of accrue to Lay-conceited opinions. 1898 S. Evans Holy Graal 134 We Englishmen of today, a lay-minded folk much misguided of philosophic historians. Draft additions 1997 Also with reference to trade unions. ΘΚΠ society > occupation and work > working > association of employers or employees > [adjective] > of union: non-professional lay1980 1980 Times 10 Apr. 1/3 Lay delegates on the Transport and General Workers' Union national bus committee, representing about 140,000 busmen. 1986 ASTMS Industry News Spring 1/3 We have sent delegations from our Parliamentary Committee, together with lay representatives from Westland, to the Ministry of Defence. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1902; most recently modified version published online March 2022). layv.¹ Brit. /leɪ/, U.S. /leɪ/ Forms: Past tense and participle laid /leɪd/. infinitive Old English lecgan, lecgean, Middle English legge(n, 1500s–1600s (sense 1c) ledge, Middle English leyn, Middle English lein, lain, leye, lai, Middle English leyne, leie, Middle English–1500s laye, ley, Middle English leyen, 1500s Scottish la, 1500s–1600s laie, Middle English– lay. indicative present: singular and 1st person Old English lecge, Middle English legge, leye (etc.), Middle English– lay. 2nd person Old English legest, Middle English leist, 1500s– layest, 1600s, 1800s lay'st. 3rd person Old English leg(e)ð, Middle English leigð, Middle English leggeð, leiȝeð, Middle English leið, Middle English layþ, leyþ, leggiþ, Middle English leieþ, Middle English–1500s layth, 1500s laieth, Middle English– (now archaic) layeth. β. Middle English–1600s layes, lais, Middle English legges, 1600s laies, Middle English– lays. plural Old English lecgaþ, lecgeaþ, Middle English leggeoð, leggeð, leið. β. Middle English–1500s laye, Middle English leyn, lein, leye, leie, Middle English leyhe, 1500s laie, Middle English– lay. γ. Scottish and northernMiddle English layez, 1500s layis. indicative past: singular and 1st and 3rd person Old English legde, lægde, léde, Middle English leigde, Middle English læide, Middle English leide, Middle English leaide, Orm. leȝȝde, Middle English–1500s leyde, Middle English leid, legged, lait, Scottish lad, Middle English lade, Middle English–1600s laide, Middle English–1700s layd(e, Middle English leyd, leged, leghed, layid, Middle English–1600s layed, laied, 1600s–1700s lay'd, Middle English– laid. plural Old English legdon, lægdon, leidon, Middle English læiden, Middle English leiden, Middle English ledden, Middle English laiden, Middle English leyden, Middle English laidon; also (in Middle English and subsequently) as 1st and 3rd person singular and imperative: singular Old English lege, Middle English Orm. leȝȝ, Middle English ley, leie, Middle English leye, Middle English le, 1500s laye, Middle English– lay. plural Old English lecgaþ, Middle English leggeþ, Middle English leiþ, Middle English– lay. β. northern and ScottishMiddle English laes, lays, lais. gerund Middle English–1500s layeng, Middle English legginge, legynge, 1500s (sense 1c) ledging, Middle English leying, leiyng, leyng, Middle English–1500s layng(e, 1500s laieng, laiyng, 1500s–1600s layeing, Middle English– laying. present participle Old English lecgende, Middle English northern and Scottish leyond, layand. β. (as in the Gerund). past participle Old English geléd, geleigd, Middle English ileid, yleid, ilæid, Orm. leȝȝd, Middle English leid(e, leyd, Middle English ylaid(e, ylayde, leyde, Middle English yleyd, Middle English–1500s layde, Middle English–1600s laide, layed, Middle English–1700s layd, Middle English ilaid, leied, leyed, led, 1500s layede, (sense 1c) ledgde, 1500s–1600s laied, 1600s lai'd, 1600s–1700s lay'd, Middle English– laid. Etymology: Old English lęcgan = Old Frisian ledsa , lega , leia , Old Saxon leggian (Dutch leggen ), Old High German lecken , legen (Middle High German, modern German legen ), Old Norse legja (Swedish lägga , Danish lægge ), Gothic (= Germanic) lagjan , < lag- ablaut-variant of Germanic leg- : see lie v.¹The normal representative of the Old English infinitive and of the 1st person singular and the plural present tense, would be ledge; the existing form of the present-stem is evolved from the 2nd and 3rd person singular present tense, in which the g of the Germanic verb was followed not by j but by i, and therefore escaped the West Germanic gemination, so that Old English in these instances has g instead of cg. General sense: To cause to lie. I. To prostrate. 1. a. transitive. To bring or cast down from an erect position (in Old English often, to strike down, slay); †figurative* to cast down, abase, humble. Now only with complement denoting prostration or extension upon a surface. Cf. to lay low at low adj. and n.² Phrases 2. ΘΚΠ the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > downward motion > causing to come or go down > cause to come or go down [verb (transitive)] > bring to the ground/lay low layc888 afelleOE to throw downa1250 groundc1275 to lay to ground, to earth (Sc. at eird)c1275 stoopc1275 evena1382 abatec1390 to bring downa1400 falla1400 welt?a1400 throwa1450 tumble1487 succumb1490 strewa1500 vaila1592 flat1607 level1614 floor1642 to fetch down1705 drop1726 supplant1751 c888 Ælfred tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. (Sedgefield) xli. §3 He..hæt fealdan þæt segl & eac hwilum lecgan þone mæst. a1000 Laws of Athelstan (Schmid) ii. c. 2 Hine lecge for þeof se ðe him tocume. c1200 Trin. Coll. Hom. 165 Al riht is leid and wogh arered. 1377 W. Langland Piers Plowman B. v. 359 [He] cauȝte hym bi the myddel, For to lifte hym alofte and leyde him on his knowes. c1400 (?c1380) Cleanness l. 1650 Who-so hym lyked to lyfte, on lofte watz he sone, & quo-so hym lyked to lay, watz loȝed bylyue. c1440 Partonope 7007 I leyd hym flatt than in the med. a1616 W. Shakespeare King John (1623) ii. i. 399 Shall we..lay this Angiers euen with the ground? View more context for this quotation 1660 F. Brooke tr. V. Le Blanc World Surveyed 6 With a mortall wound on the forehead [he] laid him dead at his feete. 1671 J. Milton Paradise Regain'd iii. 331 A multitude with Spades and Axes arm'd To lay hills plain, fell woods, or valleys fill. View more context for this quotation 1785 W. Cowper Poplar Field 7 And now in the grass behold they are laid, And the tree is my seat that once lent me a shade! 1850 Tait's Edinb. Mag. Dec. 754/1 The abbey was laid in ruins by the explosion. 1879 R. Browning Ivan Ivanovitch in Idyls I. 95 We check the fire by laying flat Each building in its path. 1890 Guardian 24 Sept. 1486/1 One third of the town was laid in ashes. †b. to lay to ground, to earth (Sc. at eird): to stretch upon or bring to the ground; to bring low, throw down, overthrow, destroy. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > life > death > killing > kill [verb (transitive)] swevec725 quelmeOE slayc893 quelleOE of-falleOE ofslayeOE aquellc950 ayeteeOE spillc950 beliveOE to bring (also do) of (one's) life-dayOE fordoa1000 forfarea1000 asweveOE drepeOE forleseOE martyrOE to do (also i-do, draw) of lifeOE bringc1175 off-quellc1175 quenchc1175 forswelta1225 adeadc1225 to bring of daysc1225 to do to deathc1225 to draw (a person) to deathc1225 murder?c1225 aslayc1275 forferec1275 to lay to ground, to earth (Sc. at eird)c1275 martyrc1300 strangle1303 destroya1325 misdoa1325 killc1330 tailc1330 to take the life of (also fro)c1330 enda1340 to kill to (into, unto) death1362 brittena1375 deadc1374 to ding to deathc1380 mortifya1382 perisha1387 to dight to death1393 colea1400 fella1400 kill out (away, down, up)a1400 to slay up or downa1400 swelta1400 voida1400 deliverc1400 starvec1425 jugylc1440 morta1450 to bring to, on, or upon (one's) bierc1480 to put offc1485 to-slaya1500 to make away with1502 to put (a person or thing) to silencec1503 rida1513 to put downa1525 to hang out of the way1528 dispatch?1529 strikea1535 occidea1538 to firk to death, (out) of lifec1540 to fling to deathc1540 extinct1548 to make out of the way1551 to fet offa1556 to cut offc1565 to make away?1566 occise1575 spoil1578 senda1586 to put away1588 exanimate1593 unmortalize1593 speed1594 unlive1594 execute1597 dislive1598 extinguish1598 to lay along1599 to make hence1605 conclude1606 kill off1607 disanimate1609 feeze1609 to smite, stab in, under the fifth rib1611 to kill dead1615 transporta1616 spatch1616 to take off1619 mactate1623 to make meat of1632 to turn up1642 inanimate1647 pop1649 enecate1657 cadaverate1658 expedite1678 to make dog's meat of1679 to make mincemeat of1709 sluice1749 finisha1753 royna1770 still1778 do1780 deaden1807 deathifyc1810 to lay out1829 cool1833 to use up1833 puckeroo1840 to rub out1840 cadaverize1841 to put under the sod1847 suicide1852 outkill1860 to fix1875 to put under1879 corpse1884 stiffen1888 tip1891 to do away with1899 to take out1900 stretch1902 red-light1906 huff1919 to knock rotten1919 skittle1919 liquidate1924 clip1927 to set over1931 creasea1935 ice1941 lose1942 to put to sleep1942 zap1942 hit1955 to take down1967 wax1968 trash1973 ace1975 the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > downward motion > causing to come or go down > cause to come or go down [verb (transitive)] > bring to the ground/lay low layc888 afelleOE to throw downa1250 groundc1275 to lay to ground, to earth (Sc. at eird)c1275 stoopc1275 evena1382 abatec1390 to bring downa1400 falla1400 welt?a1400 throwa1450 tumble1487 succumb1490 strewa1500 vaila1592 flat1607 level1614 floor1642 to fetch down1705 drop1726 supplant1751 c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1978) l. 13640 We heom scullen awelden. leggen [c1300 Otho legge] heom to grunde. c1330 Arth. & Merl. 5086 (Kölbing) Hou Wawain & his feren..Hadden..þre þousand leyd to grounde. 1470–85 T. Malory Morte d'Arthur i. x At the fourth passage there mette two for two, and bothe were leid vnto the erthe. 1489 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (Adv.) iii. 16 And weill ost..War layd at erd but recoveryng. 1513 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid xi. xiii. 62 Mony Troianis ded to ground scho laid. c. Of wind or rain: To beat down (crops). Chiefly in passive. (In 16–17th centuries spelt ledge.) ΘΚΠ the world > food and drink > farming > cultivation or tillage > cultivation of plants or crops > crop or crops > [verb (transitive)] > damaged crop lay1590 lodge1597 reta1642 shackle1670 sloom1762 1590 R. Harvey Plaine Percevall 21 Send not a whirlwinde amongst them, least..they..be ledgde on the ground. 1609 R. Cawdrey Table Alphabet. (ed. 2) at Cadence,.. Properly the ledging of corne by a tempest. 1626 F. Bacon Sylua Syluarum §669 Another ill Accident is Laying of Corne with great Raines in Haruest. 1699 A. Boyer Royal Dict. (at cited word) The Rain has laid the Corn, La Pluye a couché les Bleds. 1787 G. Winter New Syst. Husbandry 63 The straw grows so luxuriant, as to be beaten down and laid by high winds and heavy rains. 1799 A. Young Gen. View Agric. County Lincoln 162 If laid, it [sc. flax] will not do for seed. 1846 Jrnl. Royal Agric. Soc. 7 ii. 288 It bore wheat again,..but the weather of July laid it. 1859 Ld. Tennyson Enid in Idylls of King 41 Yniol with that hard message went; it fell, Like flaws in summer laying lusty corn. 1870 E. B. Ramsay Reminisc. Sc. Life (ed. 18) ii. 26 The crops being much laid. 2. a. To ‘bring to bed’ of a child; to deliver (a mother). Obsolete exc. dialect †Also reflexive said of the mother. (Cf. to lay in 3 at Phrasal verbs.) ΘΚΠ the world > life > source or principle of life > birth > confinement > confine or deliver [verb (transitive)] bestowc1320 light?a1425 laya1500 to lay downa1500 to bring abed1523 to bring to bed, abeda1533 a1500 (a1460) Towneley Plays (1994) I. xiii. 148 And Gyll, my wyfe, rose nott Here syn she lade hir. 1605 in J. Barmby Churchwardens' Accts. Pittington (1888) 56 Item given to the hird of Pittington for layinge a hogge, ijd. 1669 in Plymouth Col. Rec. (1856) V. 14 I went to her father Winters house..as I was informed of her being laid; and shee haueing a young child in her lapp, I asked her whoe was the father of it. 1682 J. Bunyan Holy War 195 The midwife that laid my mother of me. View more context for this quotation 1684 Lady Russell Lett. i. xvii. 50 I hear my Lady Digby is safely laid of a girl. 1716 Lady Cowper Diary (1864) 126 The English Ladies all pressed to have the Princess laid by Sir David Hamilton. 1724 J. Maubray (title) Female Physician Comprehending..particular directions for laying women, in all cases of difficult and preternatural births. 1828 W. Carr Dial. Craven (ed. 2) Lay, Lig, to perform the office of an accoucheur. ‘He com to lay my daam’. 1876 F. K. Robinson Gloss. Words Whitby b. To have sexual intercourse with (a woman). Occasionally intransitive, const. for: (of a woman) to have sexual intercourse with (a man). Also intransitive: (of a woman) to be willing to have (extramarital) sexual intercourse. slang (originally U.S.). Cf. lay n.⁷ 7d. ΘΚΠ the world > physical sensation > sexual relations > sexual activity > engage in sexual activity with [verb (transitive)] > have sexual intercourse with > specifically of a man jape1382 overliec1400 swivec1405 foilc1440 overlay?a1475 bed1548 possess1592 knock1598 to get one's leg over1599 enjoy1602 poke1602 thrum1611 topa1616 riga1625 swingea1640 jerk1650 night-work1654 wimble1656 roger1699 ruta1706 tail1778 to touch up1785 to get into ——c1890 root1922 to knock up1934 lay1934 pump1937 prong1942 nail1948 to slip (someone) a length1949 to knock off1953 thread1958 stuff1960 tup1970 nut1971 pussy1973 service1973 society > morality > moral evil > licentiousness > unchastity > [verb (intransitive)] > of woman: make herself available to turn up?1616 to put out1928 slut1946 tart1949 lay1955 the world > physical sensation > sexual relations > sexual activity > engage in sexual activity with [verb (transitive)] > have sexual intercourse with > specifically of a woman takea1400 give1860 lay1956 1934 J. O'Hara Appointment in Samarra ii. 38 I'm going to take Teddy out and get him laid tonight. 1934 J. O'Hara Appointment in Samarra vii. 212 ‘You're wrong about one thing,’ said Julian... ‘I didn't lay that girl.’ 1936 J. Dos Passos Big Money 305 ‘Gosh,’ he was saying at the back of his head, ‘maybe I could lay Elsie Finnegan.’ 1938 G. Greene Brighton Rock v. v. 214 I'm marrying her for your sake, but I'm laying her for my own. 1950 A. Wilson Such Darling Dodos 123 As soon as he laid a new wench..there was always a shift round of staff. 1955 ‘H. Robbins’ Stone for Danny Fisher i. vii. 55 ‘Does she lay, Danny?’.. His face was flushed as his eyes followed the girl on to the porch. 1956 H. Gold Man who was not with It (1965) xviii. 164 Whore! Baby~whore! She been laying for you. 1960 J. Updike Rabbit, Run 184 You've laid for Harrison, haven't you? 1965 W. H. Auden About House (1966) 15 A great-great-grandmother who got laid By a sacred beast. 1969 P. Roth Portnoy's Complaint 182 All I know is I got laid, twice. 1973 B. Broadfoot Ten Lost Years viii. 83 The guy who knew her was one of our gang and he was laying her. 3. a. To cause to subside (the sea, a tempest, a cloud of dust, etc.); †to put a stop to (an annoyance) (obsolete); to allay (anxiety), appease (anger, appetite, etc.). Now archaic or dialect except in to lay the dust. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > manner of action > lack of violence, severity, or intensity > make less violent or severe [verb (transitive)] > assuage or calm laya1300 disarm?c1400 lithec1430 mitigatea1513 charmc1540 hush1632 assopiatea1649 the world > action or operation > manner of action > lack of violence, severity, or intensity > make less violent or severe [verb (transitive)] > assuage or calm > specific natural elements laya1300 mesec1480 allay1493 the mind > emotion > pleasure > state of being consoled or relieved > be relieved of [verb (transitive)] > console or relieve > relieve (suffering) lissea1000 alightOE allayc1225 softc1225 comfort1297 laya1300 eathea1325 allegea1375 appeasec1374 laska1375 slakea1387 releasea1393 balma1400 to bete one of one's balea1400 to cool a person's caresc1400 delivera1413 leggea1425 mitigate?a1425 repress?a1425 alleviate?a1475 allevya1500 alleve1544 leviate1545 lenify1567 allevate1570 ungrieve1589 straight1604 mulcify1653 balsama1666 solace1667 meliorate1796 a1300 E.E. Psalter lxxxiv. 4 Þou leyed alle þi wreth þat þou was inne. 1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomew de Glanville De Proprietatibus Rerum (1495) v. vi. 112 Yf the eye lyddes..ben full of flesshe wythin..thenne he layeth the syghte [L. visum impediunt]. a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Trin. Cambr.) l. 5990 To morwe shul þo fliȝes be leide. c1430 Syr Gener. (Roxb.) 1782 If ye me doo as ye me seid, A grete part of my care is leid. a1513 W. Dunbar Flyting in Poems (1998) I. 203 Ȝit come I hame, fals baird, to lay thy boist. 1539 R. Taverner tr. Erasmus Prouerbes sig. A.iij^v Moue not an euyll that is well laied. 1579 S. Gosson Schoole of Abuse f. 8 Terpandrus with his notes, laieth the tempest. a1616 W. Shakespeare Two Gentlemen of Verona (1623) ii. iii. 31 See how I lay the dust with my teares. View more context for this quotation a1645 W. Laud Serm. (1847) 127 To show His disciples that His command could lay the sea. 1650 R. Stapleton tr. F. Strada De Bello Belgico iv. 77 This report he was so farre from sleighting..that he laid it, before it could passe out of Spain. 1671 J. Milton Paradise Regain'd iv. 426 Who..still'd the roar Of thunder, chas'd the clouds, and laid the winds. View more context for this quotation 1695 R. Blackmore Prince Arthur i. 10 Th' enchanted Winds straightway their Fury laid. 1699 A. Boyer Royal Dict. (at cited word) To lay the Stomach for a while, Etourdir la grosse faim. 1712 J. Addison Spectator No. 465. ¶1 The doubt that was laid revives again. a1715 Bp. G. Burnet Hist. Own Time (1724) I. 60 He upon his coming over did for some time lay the heats that were among the Highlanders. 1872 W. Black Strange Adventures Phaeton xxii. 308 ‘It was merely to lay the dust’, said Bell, as though she had ordered the shower. 1879 F. W. Farrar Life & Work St. Paul I. iii. x. 181 To lay the secret misgivings, which had begun to rise in his mind. 1891 S. O. Addy Suppl. Gloss. Words Sheffield (at cited word) ‘The bit of fish as you sent me laid my appetite’. 1900 Q. Rev. Apr. 459 These fears ought now to be laid. b. To prevent (a spirit) from ‘walking’. Often in figurative context. ΘΚΠ the world > the supernatural > supernatural being > evil spirit or demon > [verb (transitive)] > exorcize halsec825 exorcize1546 lay1597 dispossess1618 society > faith > worship > exorcism > perform exorcism [verb (transitive)] > exorcize an evil spirit exorcize1546 lay1597 dispossess1618 1597 W. Shakespeare Romeo & Juliet ii. i. 26 If one shuld raise a spirit in his Mistris circle..making it..stand till she had laid it, and coniurde it downe. View more context for this quotation 1678 S. Butler Hudibras: Third Pt. iii. ii. 120 For nothing but his Interest, Could lay his Devil of Contest. 1706 R. Estcourt Fair Example iii. i When the Devil is up in a Woman, the wisest way is to lay it. 1716 J. Addison Drummer ii. 20 He knows the Secret of laying Ghosts, or of quieting Houses that are haunted. 1850 Ld. Tennyson In Memoriam xciv. 142 He faced the spectres of the mind And laid them. View more context for this quotation 1851 D. Jerrold St. Giles & St. James (new ed.) xvi, in Writings I. 162 With a strong will, he laid the rising ghosts of his boyish days. 1883 J. A. Froude Short Stud. IV. ii. i. 170 I remember his being called upon to lay a troublesome ghost. 4. †To bring down, reduce (a swelling) (obsolete); to smooth down, make to lie evenly. ΘΚΠ the world > health and disease > healing > medical treatment > treatment of specific diseases or conditions > treat specific diseases or conditions [verb (transitive)] > bring down swelling lay1579 re-lay1590 the world > space > shape > flatness or levelness > make flat or level [verb (transitive)] evenlOE slighta1300 planec1350 complanec1420 levelc1450 dismount1563 planish1580 equalize1596 equal1610 to even out1613 flat1613 flattena1631 complanate1643 platten1688 reconcile1712 range1825 macadamize1826 lay1892 plata1903 1579 E. Spenser Shepheardes Cal. Oct. 119 When my Gates shall han their bellies layd: Cuddie shall haue a Kidde to store his farme. 1823 J. Badcock Domest. Amusem. 185 This will lay some blisters, and prevent others rising. 1892 Leisure Hour Nov. 72/2 Silk hats are ‘renovated’ by brushing them round smoothly with a wet brush to lay the nap. 5. Nautical. To sail out to such a distance as to bring (an object) to or below the horizon. (Opposed to raise.) ΘΚΠ society > travel > travel by water > directing or managing a ship > direct or manage ship [verb (transitive)] > set a ship's course > lose sight of by sailing away lay1574 settle1769 sink1769 to sail down1847 close1858 1574 W. Bourne Regim. for Sea (1577) xiii. 39 a In going to the North, you doe rayse the Pole, and lay the Equinoctiall. 1711 Mil. & Sea Dict. (ed. 4) To Lay the Land. When they have sail'd out of Sight of Land, they say, they have Laid the Land. 1711 London Gaz. No. 4887/3 We chased them till Ten, at which time we had laid their Hulls. 1769 W. Falconer Universal Dict. Marine Laying the land, in navigation, the state of motion which increases the distance from the coast, so as to make it appear lower and smaller..used in contradistinction to raising the land. 6. a. Horticulture. = layer v. 1b. Also reflexive of the plant. ? Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > food and drink > farming > gardening > management of plants > propagation of plants > [verb (intransitive)] > layer lay1565 supplant1601 layer1831 the world > food and drink > farming > gardening > management of plants > propagation of plants > propagate [verb (transitive)] > layer pleacha1398 provine?1440 lay1565 layer1845 1565 T. Cooper Thesaurus at Sterno Vites stratæ, quæ & constratæ. Vines growyng close to the grounde, or layed or planted in the earth. 1664 J. Evelyn Kalendarium Hortense 71 in Sylva You may lay Myrtils, and other curious Greens. 1696 E. Phillips New World of Words (new ed.) To Lay, in Gardening is to bend down the Branches, and cover them that they may take Root. 1707–12 J. Mortimer Whole Art Husb. ii. 185 The chief time of laying gilliflowers is in July. 1772 R. Waring in Philos. Trans. 1771 (Royal Soc.) 61 387 Inferiour plants, that sometimes, in the phrase of gardening, lay them~selves. 1822 J. C. Loudon Encycl. Gardening iii. ii. 978 In that case the new plants [i.e. pinks] are not so well rooted as those layed earlier. 1851 B'ham & Midl. Gardeners' Mag. May 68 Lay and peg your plants. b. dialect ‘ to lay a hedge, to trim it back, cutting the boughs half through, and then bending them down and intertwining them so as to strengthen the fence’ ( Wiltsh. Gloss.). ΚΠ 1765 Museum Rusticum 4 80 Making, plashing and laying live hedges. 1851 Jrnl. Royal Agric. Soc. 12 ii. 336 The fences..have been plashed and laid. II. To deposit. 7. a. To place in a position of rest on the ground or any other supporting surface; to deposit in some situation specified by means of an adverb or phrase. †to lay lake: to offer sacrifice (quot. a1225). ΘΚΠ the world > space > place > placing or fact of being placed in (a) position > place or put in a position [verb (transitive)] doeOE layc950 seta1000 puta1225 dight1297 pilt?a1300 stow1362 stick1372 bestowc1374 affichea1382 posec1385 couchc1386 dressa1387 assize1393 yarkc1400 sita1425 place1442 colloque1490 siegea1500 stake1513 win1515 plat1529 collocate1548 campc1550 posit1645 posture1645 constitute1652 impose1681 sist1852 shove1902 spot1937 the world > space > place > placing or fact of being placed in (a) position > place or put in a position [verb (transitive)] > in contact with a surface layc950 set971 input1382 immotec1420 impone1529 impose1598 the world > space > relative position > horizontal position or condition > place in horizontal position [verb (transitive)] > lay flat (on the ground) layc950 lairc1200 streek1303 to lay lowc1405 prostrate1483 prostern1490 spald1513 prostitute1583 prosternate1593 lodge1597 flatten1712 c950 Lindisf. Gosp. Matt. xxi. 8 Hia geðurscon tuiggo of treum & gebredon vel legdon on weg. c1175 Lamb. Hom. 101 Ða ileaffullen brohton heore gersum, and leiden heo et þere apostlan fotan. c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 14667 Sniþ itt alls itt wære an shep. & leȝȝ itt upp onn allterr. c1200 Moral Ode 12 in Trin. Coll. Hom. Alto muchel ic habbe ispend, to litel ileid on horde. a1225 Leg. Kath. 1895 Ȝef þu leist lac to ure liuiende godes. a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) l. 3234 Þat men miȝt legge him mete & wateren atte wille. 1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (Rolls) VII. 369 He was wont to legge his heed uppon a forme of þe chirche. 1399 W. Langland Richard Redeles ii. 186 Lymed leues were leyde all aboute. a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 7186 Sampson..bar þe yates o þe tun, And laid þam on a hei dun. c1450 Two Cookery-bks. 109 Take brede..and make it broune, and ley hit in vynegre. c1480 (a1400) St. Peter 429 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) I. 19 He can it ta,..and syne it lade In his slefe. a1513 W. Dunbar Poems (1998) I. 159 Thornis laid in thy way. 1535 Bible (Coverdale) Lev. i. 8 Y^e peces..shal they laye vpon the wodd. 1582 Bible (Rheims) Matt. viii. 20 The sonne of man hath not where to lay his head. [So 1611; earlier versions ‘rest’.] 1604 E. Grimeston tr. J. de Acosta Nat. & Morall Hist. Indies v. xxiv. 394 Al the people did humble themselves, laying earth vpon their heads. 1666 J. Evelyn Kalendarium Hortense (ed. 2) 64 If it prove too wet, lay your pots side-long. 1666 R. Boyle Origine Formes & Qualities 355 I had layd it upon a piece of white Paper by the fires side to dry. 1669 S. Sturmy Mariners Mag. i. 31 Laying a Ruler over the Intersections..draw the line GH. 1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iv, in tr. Virgil Wks. 124 Plaister thou the chinky Hives with Clay, And leafy Branches o're their Lodgings lay . View more context for this quotation 1701 W. Wotton Hist. Rome ii. 233 He layd the Book upon the Bed. 1838 T. Thomson Chem. Org. Bodies 676 Two pieces of paper..were laid upon each other, and allowed to dry. 1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. v. 532 He had contrived to scatter lampoons about the terrace of Windsor, and even to lay them under the royal pillow. b. To place documents containing information on the table (see table n. Phrases 4a(a)) in order to present the information to the members. ΘΚΠ society > authority > rule or government > ruler or governor > deliberative, legislative, or administrative assembly > governing or legislative body of a nation or community > procedure of parliament or national assembly > [verb (transitive)] > lay documents before parliament lay1923 1813 Hansard Commons 17 Mar. 142 Mr. Whitbread then moved, that the Petition be laid upon the table; which was ordered accordingly.] 1923 Westm. Gaz. 3 Aug. The Premier promised to lay all the correspondence, if M. Poincaré consents. 1924 Hansard Commons 10 Mar. 1931 His Majesty's Government have been willing to lay the complete records, but objections have been raised. 1964 Erskine May's Law of Parl. (ed. 17) xiii. 274 A similar order was made..in cases where a paper was laid under an Act that prescribed a period during which objection to it could be taken. 8. With mixture of sense 1. a. To place (a person, one's limbs, oneself) in a recumbent posture in a specified place. to be laid: to lie down, recline (†formerly sometimes without a specifying adverb or phrase). ΘΚΠ the world > space > place > position or situation > be positioned or situated [verb (intransitive)] > permanently liea1000 layc1175 the world > space > relative position > posture > action or fact of lying down or reclining > lie down or recline [verb (intransitive)] leanc950 resteOE liec1000 to be laidc1175 layc1300 to lie along1530 recline1578 to horizontalize it1843 recumb1906 cwtch1921 the world > space > relative position > posture > action or fact of lying down or reclining > lie down or recline [verb (intransitive)] > lie down or assume reclining position layc1175 to lie downc1275 liec1330 stretch1828 the world > space > relative position > posture > action or fact of lying down or reclining > lie down or recline [verb (transitive)] > lay down or cause to lie down layc1175 to lay downc1250 coucha1375 c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 3401 Þeȝȝ fundenn þær þe child Þær itt wass leȝȝd i cribbe. c1275 Sinners Beware 284 in Old Eng. Misc. 81 Ye me..leyden in softe bedde. c1385 G. Chaucer Legend Good Women Prol. B. 208 Whan I was leyd, and had myn eyen hed. a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 8604 Wimmen..þat lais [Trin. Cambr. leyn] in bedd yong barn þam bi. c1475 Partenay 2889 But slepe myght he noght when that he was led. 1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry V f. lxxx Kyng Henry wexed sicker and sicker, and so was layd in a horselitter. 1607 Merrie Iests George Peele 19 With much adoe, her maide had her to Bed, who was no sooner laid but shee fell asleepe. 1608 E. Topsell Hist. Serpents 230 When hee is layd, he careth not for rising againe. a1701 C. Sedley Pindaric Ode in Wks. (1778) II. 17 The bleating sheep are laid; And on the earth the nightly dew distils. 1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. iii. 321 The coarse jollity of the afternoon was often prolonged till the revellers were laid under the table. 1849 W. E. Aytoun Hermotimus in Poems ii Fain I'd lay me gently by thy side. 1853 M. Arnold Scholar Gipsy in Poems (new ed.) 202 The bent grass where I am laid. b. To deposit in the grave; to bury. Only with adverb or phrase indicating the place. to lay one's bones: to be buried (in a specified place). ΘΚΠ the world > life > death > disposal of corpse > burial > bury or entomb [verb (transitive)] bedelveOE begraveOE burya1000 beburyc1000 bifel-ec1000 layc1000 to fall, lull, lay (bring obs.) asleepOE tombc1275 gravec1300 inter1303 rekec1330 to lap in leadc1340 to lay to rest, abed, to bed1340 lie1387 to louk in clay (lead, etc.)?a1400 to lay lowa1425 earthc1450 sepulture1490 to put awaya1500 tyrea1500 mould1530 to graith in the grave1535 ingrave1535 intumulate1535 sepult1544 intumil?c1550 yird1562 shrinea1566 infera1575 entomb1576 sepelite1577 shroud1577 funeral1578 to load with earth1578 delve1587 to lay up1591 sepulchrize1595 pit-hole1607 infuneral1610 mool1610 inhumate1612 inurna1616 inhume1616 pit1621 tumulate1623 sepulchrea1626 turf1628 underlay1639 urna1657 to lay to sleep, asleep1701 envaulta1745 plant1785 ensepulchre1820 sheugh1839 to put under1879 to lay away1885 the world > life > death > disposal of corpse > burial > be buried [verb (intransitive)] underlie1648 to lay one's bones1698 to take a ground-sweat1834 c1000 West Saxon Gospels: John (Corpus Cambr.) xx. 15 Sege me hwar þu hine ledest [c1160 Hatton Gosp. leydest]. 11.. Anglo-Saxon Chron. anno 1075 (Laud) Se cyng hi let bryngan to Westmynstre..& lægde hi wið Eadward kyng hire hlaforde. c1175 Lamb. Hom. 51 Efterþan þet þe mon bið dead, me leið þene licome in þere þruh. a1225 Leg. Kath. 2251 We..þæt licome awei ledden & leiden in eorðe. c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1978) l. 8903 Leggeð me an æst ænde inne Stan-henge. a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 817 Fowre biried ðor ben; Ðor was leid adam and eua, Abram siðen and sarra. 1388 Bible (Wycliffite, L.V.) Acts xiii. 36 Dauid..diede, and was leid with hise fadris. a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 17794 Lang es gan Sin þai war ded, laid vnder stan. a1400 Prymer (St. John's Cambr.) (1891) 50 Thei leyde hym in his graue. c1480 (a1400) St. Katherine 1179 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) II. 476 Angelis..hire body bare to mont synay, & lait It þare. 1578 W. Hunnis in R. Edwards Paradyse Daynty Deuises (rev. ed.) sig. Bi After they be layde in graue. 1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Æneis xi, in tr. Virgil Wks. 547 Part, in the Places where they fell, are laid. 1698 J. Fryer New Acct. E.-India & Persia 57 The Air so salubrious, that never any English are remembered to lay their Bones here. 1836 W. Irving Astoria I. 121 My uncle was lost a few years ago on this same bar, and I am now going to lay my bones alongside of his. 1853 M. Arnold Scholar Gipsy in Poems (new ed.) 209 Thou from earth art gone Long since, and in some quiet churchyard laid. 1879 J. Morley Burke ix. 206 He was laid in the little church at Beaconsfield. c. to lay to sleep, asleep: to put to rest; to put in the last resting-place, to bury; also figurative. Also to lay to rest, †abed, †to bed. ΘΚΠ the world > life > death > disposal of corpse > burial > bury or entomb [verb (transitive)] bedelveOE begraveOE burya1000 beburyc1000 bifel-ec1000 layc1000 to fall, lull, lay (bring obs.) asleepOE tombc1275 gravec1300 inter1303 rekec1330 to lap in leadc1340 to lay to rest, abed, to bed1340 lie1387 to louk in clay (lead, etc.)?a1400 to lay lowa1425 earthc1450 sepulture1490 to put awaya1500 tyrea1500 mould1530 to graith in the grave1535 ingrave1535 intumulate1535 sepult1544 intumil?c1550 yird1562 shrinea1566 infera1575 entomb1576 sepelite1577 shroud1577 funeral1578 to load with earth1578 delve1587 to lay up1591 sepulchrize1595 pit-hole1607 infuneral1610 mool1610 inhumate1612 inurna1616 inhume1616 pit1621 tumulate1623 sepulchrea1626 turf1628 underlay1639 urna1657 to lay to sleep, asleep1701 envaulta1745 plant1785 ensepulchre1820 sheugh1839 to put under1879 to lay away1885 the world > action or operation > inaction > make inactive [verb (transitive)] > bring to a state of inactivity to lay to rest, abed, to bed1591 to fall, lull, lay (bring obs.) asleep1594 to lay to sleep, asleep1692 1340–70 Alisaunder 823 Hee sawe..How þat louelich lif laide was a bedde, And a gracious God gripte hur in armes. a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 14199 Lazar vr freind es laid on-slepe. c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 10410 Thai..logget þe long nyght, layd hom to rest. 1591 E. Spenser Teares of Muses in Complaints 183 O! all is gone; and all that goodly glee..Is layd abed, and no where now to see. a1616 W. Shakespeare Tempest (1623) ii. i. 284. a1616 W. Shakespeare Antony & Cleopatra (1623) ii. ii. 234 Royall Wench: She made great Cæsar lay his Sword to bed. View more context for this quotation 1676 T. Hobbes tr. Homer Iliads xiv. (table) Juno by the help of Venus layeth Jove asleep. 1692 tr. Sallust Wks. 33 Malice and Pride were laid asleep. 1701 W. Wotton Hist. Rome ii. 235 The Poyson soon layd him to sleep. 1814 J. Hunter Who wrote Cavendish's Wolsey? 13 There is, in this, what might lay a general biographer, who was a very Argus, asleep. 1869 A. W. Ward tr. E. Curtius Hist. Greece II. ii. v. 112 He was laid to rest among his ancestors. 1881 S. R. Gardiner & J. B. Mullinger Introd. Study Eng. Hist. i. x. 186 The questions springing out of the Toleration Act had long been laid asleep. 9. To produce and deposit (an egg). Also absol. Often in figurative contexts. Also figurative phrase to lay an egg, used in various colloquial senses, spec.: (a) (of an aircraft) to drop a bomb; (b) originally U.S. (of a performer or performance) to flop. ΘΚΠ the world > animals > animal body > general parts > sexual organs and reproduction > [verb (transitive)] > give birth to > lay (eggs) layc1000 warpa1340 cast1587 spawna1616 spawna1617 deposit1692 oviposit1847 spit1847 society > armed hostility > hostilities in the air > attack with aircraft [verb (intransitive)] > drop bomb to lay an egg1918 the world > action or operation > failure or lack of success > fail or be unsuccessful [verb (intransitive)] withsitc1330 fail1340 defaulta1382 errc1430 to fall (also go) by the wayside1526 misthrive1567 miss1599 to come bad, or no, speedc1600 shrink1608 abortivea1670 maroon1717 to flash in the pan1792 skunk1831 to go to the dickens1833 to miss fire1838 to fall flat1841 fizzle1847 to lose out1858 to fall down1873 to crap out1891 flivver1912 flop1919 skid1920 to lay an egg1929 to blow out1939 to strike out1946 bomb1963 to come (also have) a buster1968 c1000 Sax. Leechd. III. 204 Henne ægru lecgan gestreon mid carfulnysse ge[tacnað]. c1230 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Corpus Cambr.) (1962) 36 Þe hen hwen ha haueð ileid ne con bute cakelin. 13.. K. Alis. 568 A faukon..An ay he laide. c1420 Pallad. on Husb. i. 583 Wiltow they oftyn hacche & eyron grete They legge. ?1523 J. Fitzherbert Bk. Husbandry f. xlix Thou must take hede howe thy hennes, duckes, and gees do ley. 1553 R. Eden in tr. S. Münster Treat. Newe India Pref. sig. Aij I wold be loth to lay an egge, wherof other men might hatche a serpent. 1611 Bible (King James) Isa. xxxiv. 15 There shall the great owle make her nest, and lay and hatch. View more context for this quotation 1678 S. Butler Hudibras: Third Pt. iii. iii. 230 Like Nest-eggs, to make Clients lay. 1711 J. Addison Spectator No. 120. ¶14 When she has laid her Eggs in such a Manner that she can cover them. 1780 W. Cowper Progress of Error 239 Remorse, the fatal egg by Pleasure laid In every bosom where her nest is made. 1830 F. Marryat King's Own III. i. 21 One of the hens laid astray. 1841 Jrnl. Royal Agric. Soc. 2 i. 23 [They] lay their eggs in the bodies of other insects. 1884 Times (Weekly ed.) 19 Sept. 6/4 [Pheasants] lay freely in the thick coverts on the hillsides. 1918 E. M. Roberts Flying Fighter 335 Eggs, bombs weighing twenty pounds and upward filled with high explosives and ‘laid’ in Hunland. 1927 Daily Express 2 June 11/2 ‘Laying an egg’ in Air Force slang means dropping a bomb. 1929 Variety 30 Oct. 1 (headline) Wall Street lays an egg... The most dramatic event in the financial history of America is the collapse of the New York Stock Market. 1940 J. O'Hara Pal Joey 38 You would just as well come wearing a shell if you ever took a job [singing] in a spot like this, that is how big an egg you would lay. 1949 L. Feather Inside Be-bop iii. 30 The singer had been laying eggs at the Zanzibar..and Shaw was undecided what to do with him. 1958 Spectator 6 June 730/2 The second gambit, when a joke is so drearily bad..that even a studio audience can't laugh at it, is to admit, quite shamelessly, that one has, as they say, laid an egg. 1964 People (Austral.) 16 Dec. 45/1 A Stuka caught us in the town of Lamia. The plane duly laid an egg. I was crouched alongside a wall. The bomb landed on the other side of the wall. †10. To deposit (payment). Obsolete. rare. ΘΚΠ society > trade and finance > payment > pay money or things [verb (transitive)] > lay down money to lay down1560 lay1572 to tell down1600 consign1633 deposita1640 post1821 1572 (a1500) Taill of Rauf Coilȝear (1882) 299 God forbid..That for ane nichtis harbery Pay suld be laid. †11. a. With adverbial phrase as complement, e.g. to wed, to pledge, in pawn: To deposit as a pledge or in pawn; hence, to mortgage (lands). Also, to lay a wed. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > language > speech > agreement > security > pledge or deposit as security [verb (transitive)] setc1000 plight?c1225 lay1297 wagec1330 to lay to borrowc1405 pledgea1475 impledge1548 pawn1570 impawn1598 deposita1640 the mind > language > speech > agreement > security > pledge or deposit as security [verb (transitive)] > a person to set, put, lay to or in wed?a900 lay1297 hostage1624 1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (Rolls) 8083 He..leide willam is broþer to wedde normandye. c1374 G. Chaucer Compl. Mars 205 They myghten lyghtly ley hire hede to borowe. 1377 W. Langland Piers Plowman B. xviii. 31 Lyf..leyth his lif to wedde, þat [etc.]. 1389 in J. T. Smith & L. T. Smith Eng. Gilds (1870) 8 Þat þey leye a suffisaunt wed. c1400 Mandeville's Trav. (Roxb.) ii. 6 Þe emperour had layd þam [þise relyques] in wedd for a grete soume of gold. 1461 King Edward IV Grant in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) II. 243 A dyamaunt and a gret perle, which were leyd to plegge by oure fader. a1513 W. Dunbar Poems (1998) I. 39 Sum bydand the law layis land in wed. c1515 Ld. Berners tr. Bk. Duke Huon of Burdeux (1882–7) cxlvi. 552 Without..laynge to plegge any fote of londe pertenynge to my churche. 1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 603/1 I lay to morgage, as one dothe his herytage. 1560 J. Daus tr. J. Sleidane Commentaries f. ccxlvj^v That he laie to them againe in mortgage so mutch of hys owne landes. 1587 R. Hakluyt tr. R. de Laudonnière Notable Hist. Foure Voy. Florida Ded. p. iii She layde part of her owne Iewels..to gage. 1602 W. Shakespeare Merry Wives of Windsor ii. ii. 7 I haue beene content you shuld lay my countenance to pawne. 1609 J. Skene tr. Regiam Majestatem 49 Ane thing is laid in wad to ane certaine day. 1698 R. Ferguson View Ecclesiastick 53 (61) I do pledge and lay my Word to pawn that [etc.]. †b. To give up as a hostage. Also, to lay a hostage. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > language > speech > agreement > security > pledge oneself [verb (reflexive)] to lay a hostagec1330 c1330 (?c1300) Guy of Warwick (Auch.) l. 2476 My bodi þerfore in ostage y legge. c1515 Ld. Berners tr. Bk. Duke Huon of Burdeux (1882–7) xiii. 37 Y^e kyng sayd that Huon muost lay hostage. c1515 Ld. Berners tr. Bk. Duke Huon of Burdeux (1882–7) xviii. 51 I wyll thou layest vnto me good hostages. 1523 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Cronycles I. lxxxviii. 110 He layed his sonne in hostage. c1600 Diurnal of Remarkable Occurrents (1833) 10 The next yeir therefter he was redeemit and his tua sones laid for him. 12. a. To put down or deposit as a wager; to stake, bet, or wager (a sum, one's head, life, etc.). Also to lay a wager. ΘΚΠ society > leisure > entertainment > pastimes > betting > bet [verb (intransitive)] laya1300 to lay wedc1330 stake1530 wager1604 bet1609 gamble1757 sport1760 invest1852 punt1887 society > leisure > entertainment > pastimes > betting > bet on [verb (transitive)] > bet (money, etc.) laya1300 wed1362 to lay downc1430 setc1460 jeopardc1470 wage1484 holda1500 pary?a1505 to stake down1565 stake1591 gagec1598 bet?a1600 go1607 wagera1616 abet1617 impone1702 sport1706 stand1795 gamble1813 parlay1828 ante1846 to put on1890 plunge1919 a1300 Floriz & Bl. (Hausknecht) 786 Ȝerne he wile þe bidde and preie, Þat þu legge þe cupe to pleie. 1303 R. Mannyng Handlyng Synne 5598 A waiour dar y wyþ ȝow ley Þat [etc.]. c1330 (?a1300) Sir Tristrem (1886) l. 678 Þai ȝolden me þat y layd. a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) l. 2169 I der leye mi lif hit was þe liþer treytour. 1393 W. Langland Piers Plowman C. ix. 291 Ich dar legge myn eres. 1404 in H. Ellis Orig. Lett. Eng. Hist. (1827) 2nd Ser. I. 36 I durste lae my hede, that [etc.]. c1449 R. Pecock Repressor (1860) 145 This y dare avowe and dare leie what waiour eny man wole me forto leie. 1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 602/1 I lay a nobyll agaynst a peny that it is nat so. 1573 New Custome i. ii. sig. B j Harke Simplicitie hee is some preacher I wyll lay my gowne. 1600 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 2 v. v. 103 I wil lay ods, that..We beare our ciuil swords and natiue fier, As farre as France. View more context for this quotation 1632 J. Pory Let. 6 Dec. in H. Ellis Orig. Lett. Eng. Hist. (1827) 2nd Ser. III. 277 Hee would lay ten to one, the king was dead. 1711 R. Steele Spectator No. 79. ⁋5 I'll lay what Wager she pleases against her present Favourite. 1785 W. Cowper Tirocinium in Task 863 Canst thou..Lay such a stake upon the losing side? View more context for this quotation 1801 M. Edgeworth Forester in Moral Tales I. 23 He spent his time in training horses, laying bets. 1887 C. Bowen tr. Virgil Eclogues iii, in tr. Virgil in Eng. Verse 17 This heifer I lay thee lest thou decline..what stake for the coming battle is thine? 1891 F. W. Robinson Her Love & his Life III. vi. iii. 135 I never lay wagers. b. absol. or intransitive. To wager, bet.In Middle English poetry I lay, I dare lay is often used as little more than a rhyming expletive. ΘΚΠ the mind > language > statement > assurance, confirmation, or guarantee > assure, confirm, or guarantee [verb (intransitive)] testify1377 I dare layc1380 borrowc1475 to engage fora1680 c1380 Sir Ferumbras (1879) l. 2367 Of Charlemeyn ne his ferede nabbeþ þay non help, y legge. c1384 G. Chaucer Hous of Fame ii. 166 There I seye Mo wonder thynges dar I leye. c1475 (?c1425) Avowing of King Arthur (1984) l. 603 Him is lefe, I dar lay, To hald þat he heȝte. 1508 Golagros & Gawane (Chepman & Myllar) sig. aii* Yhit ar thi latis vnlufsum and ladlike I lay. 1535 Bible (Coverdale) Isa. xiv. C Yet darre I laye, y^t thou shalt be brought downe to the depe of hell. 1677 W. Hughes Man of Sin iii. i. 13 She offers a Wager... They lay: and 'twas for what the Friar owed. a1680 S. Butler Genuine Remains (1759) I. 143 Rooking Gamesters never lay Upon those Hands, that use fair Play. 1777 F. Burney Jrnl. July in Early Jrnls. & Lett. (1990) II. 283 I ventured not to lay against her, because I thought her rather too much in the secret. 1883 R. L. Stevenson Treasure Island iv. xx. 159 I know a gentleman, and you may lay to that. 1889 M. E. Carter Mrs. Severn I. i. xiii. 254 I lay I'll keep drier on my own shanks. c. To bet on (a horse). ΘΚΠ society > leisure > entertainment > pastimes > betting > bet on [verb (transitive)] back1697 to put one's money on1847 to put one's shirt on1856 play1858 lump1864 lay1877 stand1877 to get on ——1884 to bet (also stake) one's shirt (that)1892 to go a (or the) bundle on1938 1877 Porcupine 10 Mar. 790/1 Whether it is as immoral to ‘bear the market’ as to ‘lay the favourite’;..all these are irrelevant issues. 1887 W. B. Gilpin Four Hunting Stories vi. 68 They refused to lay him except at odds on. 1887 W. B. Gilpin Four Hunting Stories x. 97 His..plans..‘to lay the horse all he could without exciting too much suspicion’. 1891 N. Gould Double Event 6 The heaviest layers of odds..had laid Caloola..for considerable amounts. 1901 Daily Chron. 24 July 3/2 For the Derby or other important races Davis would lay a horse to the extent of £100,000 in one bet. †13. transitive. To relinquish, sacrifice (one's life); = to lay down at Phrasal verbs (to lay down 5 at Phrasal verbs). Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > life > death > [verb (intransitive)] > lay down one's life to lose (also give, lay down, etc.) one's lifeOE layc1330 putc1384 c1330 Arth. & Merl. 7188 (Kölbing) Oȝain.. bare him þurch wombe & rigge, His liif he dede him þere legge. c1330 Arth. & Merl. 2026. c1330 Arth. & Merl. 6426. 1340 Ayenbite (1866) 149 We ssolle legge oure zaules uor oure broþren. c1430 Christ's Compl. 591 in Pol. Rel. & L. Poems (1866) 201 For þi loue my lijf y laied. 1567 Compend. Bk. Godly Songs (1897) 142 Than suld we outher do or die, Or ellis our lyfe we suld lay for it. †14. To lose the faculty of (speech). northern. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > health and disease > ill health > a disease > vocal disorders > have a vocal disorder [verb (intransitive)] > lose power of speech layc1350 c1350 Medical MS. in Archaeologia 30 354 Ȝif a man for sekenesse hat leyde speche. 1566 in J. Raine Wills & Inventories N. Counties Eng. (1835) I. 261 Thes things hearafter fouloing was propounded to him when he had layd spetch, and he..gau his consent by sygnes. 1637–50 J. Row Hist. Kirk Scotl. (Wodrow Soc.) 439 He hoped that he should yit speak, suppose it be said that his speech is laid, and show his awin mynde. III. To place, set, apply. 15. a. To place close to; to put to for a purpose, to apply; sometimes const. on, upon. †to lay ear to: to give ear to, listen or attend to. to lay to heart: see heart n., int., and adv. Phrases 3f. ΘΚΠ the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > hear [verb (transitive)] > listen to listenc950 hearOE hearkenc1000 listc1175 to-heara1250 tend1340 attenda1400 to lay ear toa1400 receivea1425 intenda1500 ear1582 exhause1599 auscultate1892 catch1906 OE Genesis 2338 Abraham..legde hleor on eorðan. c1000 Ælfric Genesis xxi. 7 Þæt Sarra sceolde lecgan cild to hyre breoste to gesoce on ylde. c1000 Sax. Leechd. III. 86 Nim wingeardes sæt &..lege uppan þat sar. c1200 Trin. Coll. Hom. 197 Þe neddre secheð a ston and leið hire on eare þer to. c1220 Bestiary 359 Is non at nede ðat oðer lateð, Oc leiȝeð his skinbon on oðres lendbon. 1377 W. Langland Piers Plowman B. xvi. 44 The Fende..leith a laddre there-to, of lesynges are the ronges. c1384 G. Chaucer Hous of Fame i. 291 That he that fully knoweth therbe May savely ley hyt to his ye. a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Trin. Cambr.) l. 1241 Vpon his spade his brest he leide. a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 23831 Selden com we sarmon nere..þe ere þar-to selden we lai. a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 16340 Pilate..Of his clothes vn-clethes him, And oþer on him did lai. c1400 Rom. Rose 7611 Ley no deef ere to my speking. c1450 Middle Eng. Med. Bk. (Heinrich) 201 Tak yarwe & le þe rotos y brused to þe teþ. c1480 (a1400) St. Paul 388 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) I. 40 Þe hevid þan to þe fete þai lad..and..a-bowt turnyt þe ded body. 1526 Bible (Tyndale) Luke iii. f. lxxvj^v Nowe also ys the axe leyd vnto the rote off the trees. 1604 W. Shakespeare Hamlet iii. iv. 136 Lay not that flattering vnction to your soule That not your trespasse but my madnesse speakes. View more context for this quotation 1611 Bible (King James) Ezek. xxxvii. 6 I wil lay sinewis vpon you, and wil bring vp flesh vpon you. View more context for this quotation a1616 W. Shakespeare Macbeth (1623) i. iii. 42 By each at once her choppie finger laying Vpon her skinnie Lips. View more context for this quotation 1817 Blackwood's Mag. 2 86/1 Instead of passing the one-horse chaise, he [a horse] laid his counter close up to it, and stopt it. 1870 C. M. Yonge Cameos xcix, in Monthly Packet Mar. 249 He had laid the spark to the train. †b. To attach, add, annex to. ΚΠ a1023 Wulfstan Homilies 274 Leofan menn, lagjað gode woroldlagan and lecgað þærtoeacan, þat [etc.]. a1225 Leg. Kath. 1434 Se rudie & se reade ilitet eauereuch leor as lilie ileid to rose. a1425 (c1395) Bible (Wycliffite, L.V.) (Royal) (1850) Ecclus. xviii. 5 It is not to make lesse, nether to leie to. 1560 Bible (Geneva) Isa. v. 8 Wo vnto them that ioyne house to house, and lay field to field. 1589 G. Puttenham Arte Eng. Poesie ii. xi. sig. j^v He conquered..Egypt, and layd it to his dominion. 1601 P. Holland tr. Pliny Hist. World I. 53 The townes next to the marches..laid to Bœtica. 1647 N. Bacon Hist. Disc. Govt. 32 The incumbent also of every Church had Glebe laid to the Church. a1656 J. Ussher Ann. World (1658) vi. 253 A multitude of townes and villages..all which he laid to Porus his Kingdom. 1819 in J. A. Picton City of Liverpool: Select. Munic. Rec. (1886) II. 373 The buildings..may be removed and part of the land laid to the street in the intended line of improvement. †c. to lay from, off: to put away from (oneself); to take (one's fingers) off something. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > possession > relinquishing > casting or laying aside > [verb (transitive)] to let awaya1000 forcast?c1225 to lay downc1275 forthrow1340 flita1375 removea1382 to cast away1382 understrewc1384 castc1390 to lay awaya1400 to lay asidec1440 slingc1440 warpiss1444 to lay from, offc1480 way-put1496 depose1526 to lay apart1526 to put off1526 to set apart1530 to turn up1541 abandonate?1561 devest1566 dispatch1569 decarta1572 discard1578 to make away1580 to fling away1587 to cast off1597 doff1599 cashier1603 to set by1603 moult1604 excuss1607 retorta1616 divest1639 deposit1646 disentail1667 dismiss1675 slough1845 shed1856 jettison1869 shake1872 offload1900 junk1911 dump1919 sluff1934 bin1940 to put down1944 shitcan1973 the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > providing with clothing > undressing or removing clothing > undress or remove clothing [verb (transitive)] > take off clothing to do offeOE to lay downc1275 to weve offc1290 stripc1320 doffa1375 loose1382 ofdrawa1393 casta1400 to take offa1400 warpa1400 to cast offc1400 to catch offc1400 waivec1400 voidc1407 to put off?a1425 to wap offc1440 to lay from, offc1480 despoil1483 to pull offc1500 slip1535 devest1566 to shift off1567 daff1609 discuss1640 to lay off1699 strip1762 douse1780 shuffle1837 derobe1841 shed1858 skin1861 peel1888 pull1888 c1480 (a1400) St. Andrew 684 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) I. 83 His clathis all fra hym he lad. 1526 Bible (Tyndale) Eph. iv. 22 Laye from you that olde man, which is corrupte thorowe the deceavable lustes. 1611 Bible (King James) Jonah iii. 6 He laid his robe from him. View more context for this quotation a1616 W. Shakespeare Julius Caesar (1623) i. ii. 242 He was very loath to lay his fingers off it. View more context for this quotation †d. To put in or commit to (prison). Obsolete. ΘΚΠ society > authority > punishment > imprisonment > imprison [verb (transitive)] beclosec1000 setc1100 steekc1175 prison?c1225 adightc1275 imprison1297 laya1325 keepc1330 presentc1380 locka1400 throwc1422 commise1480 clapc1530 shop1548 to lay up1565 incarcerate1575 embar1590 immure1598 hole1608 trunk1608 to keep (a person) darka1616 carceir1630 enjaila1631 pocket1631 bridewell1733 bastille1745 cage1805 quod1819 bag1824 carcerate1839 to send down1840 jug1841 slough1848 to send up1852 to put away1859 warehouse1881 roundhouse1889 smug1896 to bang up1950 a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 2693 Ðor ise fon he leide in bonde. 1434–5 in Hist. MSS Comm.: 10th Rep.: App. Pt. V: MSS Marquis of Ormonde &c (1885) 297 in Parl. Papers (C. 4576-I) XLII. 1 The said citsaine..shal be commytted and layed to jayle. 1526 Bible (Tyndale) Luke iii. f. lxxvij Then Herode..added this above all, and leyd Ihon in preson. 1560 J. Daus tr. J. Sleidane Commentaries f. ccccxxvj Hughe Latimer..whome kyng Edward deliuered out of the tower, layd in there by his father for doctrine. †e. To compare with. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > discovery > comparison > compare [verb (transitive)] evenOE comparisonc1374 measurea1382 remenec1390 compare1509 confer?1531 to lay togethera1568 lay1577 paragona1586 paragonize1589 set1589 sympathize1600 confront1604 to name on (also in) the same day1609 collate1612 to lay down by1614 sampler1628 to set together1628 matcha1649 run1650 vie1685 to put together1690 1577 H. I. tr. H. Bullinger 50 Godlie Serm. I. ii. viii. sig. M.viii^v/1 They conferre the one with the other & lay them with the lawe. f. to lay into or in one: to convert into one apartment or structure. ? local. ΘΚΠ the world > relative properties > wholeness > mutual relation of parts to whole > condition or state of being combined > combine [verb (transitive)] > into one structure to lay into or in one1849 1849 Jrnl. Royal Agric. Soc. 10 ii. 412 Two bad cottages of one room each, if laid into one, might make an extremely good one. 1861 R. Willis in R. Willis & J. W. Clark Archit. Hist. Univ. Cambr. (1886) III. 174 Whenever the additional structure is completed, this wall can be removed, and the whole will be laid in one. †g. to lay a name on: to give a name to. ΘΚΠ the mind > language > naming > give a name to [verb (transitive)] nemneOE nemela1325 namec1384 to lay a name ona1400 christena1470 nominate1545 baptizec1550 denominate1552 dename?1567 enterm1599 epithet1650 designate1676 nomenclate1801 godfather1879 a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 10577 Maria to nam on hir þai laid, Als þe angel had þam forwit said. a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 9827 His names er þir, wit-vten les, þat þe prophet has on him laid. h. To put (dogs) on a scent. (Cf. to lay on 9 at Phrasal verbs.) Also, to lay a trail on (a quarry). ΘΚΠ the world > food and drink > hunting > hunting with hounds > hunt with hounds [verb (transitive)] > put on scent re-lay1590 to put (formerly also lay) (a dog) on the scenta1616 to lay on1655 put1673 to throw in1686 to cast hounds1781 lay1781 to throw on1815 1781 W. Cowper Expostulation 520 Thy soldiery, the Pope's well-managed pack..when he laid them on the scent of blood, Would hunt a Saracen through fire and flood. 1861 Temple Bar Dec. 53 He gets a little ‘law’ before the pack are laid upon his track. 1888 Times 13 Oct. 7/6 A trail should be laid on a man who makes his way along both frequented and unfrequented streets and on to some railway station. 16. a. To place (affection, hope, confidence) on or in a person or thing. †Also, to lay praise, one's blessing, etc. upon. to lay †prize, store upon: to value, set store by. archaic. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > importance > [verb (transitive)] > regard as important to lay prize, store upona1307 counta1400 regard1509 esteema1568 to put (also place, etc.) on a pedestal1811 to give (full, due) weight to1885 the mind > mental capacity > expectation > hope > confident hope, trust > trust in, rely on [verb (transitive)] > put trust in setc825 besetc1175 laya1307 putc1400 repose1538 pin1583 a1307 Thrush & Nightingale 158 in W. C. Hazlitt Remains Early Pop. Poetry Eng. (1864) I. 56 Thou art ounwis, On hem to leggen so michel pris. c1374 G. Chaucer Troilus & Criseyde v. 1846 For he nil falsen no wight, dar I seye, That wol his herte al hoolly on him leye. a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) l. 1448 Þe loos on hire is leide. a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 18340 On all his santes..His saing laid þat drightin dere. c1480 (a1400) St. Peter 236 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) I. 14 Sic loiss on hym-self he laide. c1550 Complaynt Scotl. (1979) vi. 51 My luf is laid apon ane knycht. 1580 Sir P. Sidney tr. Psalmes David xxi. vii Our king In heav'n his trust hath laied. a1616 W. Shakespeare All's Well that ends Well (1623) iii. iii. 2 We Great in our hope, lay our best loue and credence Vpon thy promising fortune. View more context for this quotation 1719 I. Watts Psalms of David 332 To heav'n I lift my waiting eyes, There all my hopes are laid. 1883 R. W. Dixon Mano i. xiv. 45 And though on Blanche his love was wholly laid. 1889 A. Conan Doyle Micah Clarke xxxiii. 365 Neither now or at any time..have I laid great store upon my life. †b. to lay (one's care, concerns) on God: to commit, trust to Him. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > expectation > hope > confident hope, trust > trust, have confidence in [verb (intransitive)] > in another to lay (one's care, concerns) on Godc1175 put?1553 c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 2381 & all ȝho leȝȝde þatt o godd & onn hiss lefe wille. Þatt he þær offe shollde don All whatt se hiss wille wære. 1671 J. Milton Paradise Regain'd ii. 54 Let us be glad of this, and all our fears Lay on his Providence. View more context for this quotation 17. to lay … before: to place in front of, to bring to the sight of; hence, to bring to the notice of, to submit to the consideration of; †passive to be in store for. (Cf. branch IV.) ΘΚΠ society > communication > manifestation > offering for inspection or consideration > offer for inspection or consideration [verb (transitive)] i-taechec888 to lay … beforec1000 showlOE givec1175 to lay outc1440 produce1459 propose1548 cite1549 product1563 broach1573 offer1583 to hold up1604 to bring in1608 project1611 to bring ona1715 to trot out1838 to bring up1868 muster1904 the world > space > relative position > front > be in front of [verb (transitive)] > place in front (of) foresetc825 to lay … beforec1000 again-puta1425 again-seta1425 preponea1513 prefer?1541 prepose?1541 prefix1604 prefacea1658 c1000 Ælfric Genesis xxxi. 37 Lege hit her beforan þinum freondum. a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Trin. Cambr.) l. 15714 Muchel woo if he wist: is bifore him leide. c1420 Pallad. on Husb. i. 661 When she fynt a corn, She chicketh hem and layth hit hem byfore. c1480 (a1400) St. Thomas Apostle 102 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) I. 132 A blak hund..gat It, & lad before þame all. 1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection i. sig. Dvii^v They..brought the price therof, & layd it before the feyth of the apostles. 1535 Bible (Coverdale) Gen. xxx. G He layed the staues in the drynkinge troughes before the eyes of the flockes. 1535 Bible (Coverdale) 1 Chron. xxii. B Thre thinges laye I before the, chose y^e one of them. 1712 J. Addison Spectator No. 457. ¶1 I Shall this Day lay before my Reader a Letter. a1715 Bp. G. Burnet Hist. Own Time (1734) II. 602 The Lower House ordered him to lay the Matter before the Attorney-General for his Opinion. 1726 Bp. J. Butler 15 Serm. vii. 136 We ought to lay these things plainly and honestly before our Mind. 1766 O. Goldsmith Vicar of Wakefield II. ix. 129 I hope you have no objections to laying your case before the uncle. 1849 W. E. Aytoun Buried Flower in Poems 163 And I laid my heart before thee, Laid it, darling, at thy feet! 1856 J. A. Froude Hist. Eng. (1858) I. ii. 94 Cardinal Morton..laid the condition of the secular clergy before the assembled prelates. 18. a. To set (a snare, a trap, an ambush); †to set (watch). to lay wait: see wait n. 1b (and await n. 1b). ΘΚΠ the world > food and drink > hunting > hunt [verb (transitive)] > trap > set traps setc825 teldc1000 layc1200 to set up1579 tail1770 toila1819 c1200 Trin. Coll. Hom. 209 Ure fo..leið grune in a wilderne to henten þe deor. a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 16894 Yeming on him yee lai. c1440 Bone Flor. 1358 To kepe the place day and nyghtys, And wach abowte hur lay. c1515 Ld. Berners tr. Bk. Duke Huon of Burdeux (1882–7) lxxxiii. 262 We..layde our busshement in a lytell wood. 1535 Bible (Coverdale) Psalms lxiv. 5 [They] commoned amonge them selues, how they maye laye snares. c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 10743 The ledes with~oute..Laidon wacche to þe wallis, þat no wegh past. 1548 Hall's Vnion: Edward IV f. ccxxij^v Watche was priuilie leyd for him. a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 1 (1623) iii. i. 22 Thou layd'st a Trap to take my Life. View more context for this quotation 1670 T. S. & A. Roberts Adventures Eng. Merchant 111 The first time they laid an Ambuscado in their way. a1859 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. (1861) V. 93 Melfort was particularly active in laying traps for the young noblemen and gentlemen of the Legation. b. intr. to lay for: to set an ambush or a trap for; to beset the path of; to lie in wait for, waylay. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > hostile action or attack > make an attack upon [verb (transitive)] > lie in wait for keepc1000 waitc1200 aspya1250 awaita1250 wait onc1390 to wait on ——1390 forestall1413 belay1470 to lay fora1513 waylay1513 forelay1548 ambush1555 counterwait1562 to lie for1611 set1670 a1513 R. Fabyan New Cronycles Eng. & Fraunce (1516) II. f. iiii^v ii. M. of His men..were layde for, & distressyd. 1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 602/1 I laye for, as hunters or fysshers layeth his nettes for his praye, je tens. I have layde for a pickrell, but I wene I shall catche a frogge. 1603 R. Knolles Gen. Hist. Turkes 569 Being..hardly laid for at sea by Cortugogli a famous pirat. 1609 P. Holland tr. Ammianus Marcellinus Rom. Hist. xix. ix. 134 The inhabitants beyond Tigris, streightly layed for, were all massacred every mothers child. 1623 P. Massinger Duke of Millaine v. i. sig. L3 Men in debt..layd for by their creditors. 1648 Bp. J. Hall Select Thoughts 246 Even our blessed leader..when he found that he was laid for in Judea, flees into Galilee. 1893 National Observer 20 May 22/1 He was ‘laid for’ by a scoundrel whom, being a magistrate, he had sent up for trial. 1897 M. Kingsley Trav. W. Afr. 291 The men go and lay for a rubber-hunter. †c. transitive. To set watch or guard in (a place); to beset; to search (a place) for. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > endeavour > searching or seeking > search for or seek [verb (transitive)] > search (a place) seekc1230 searcha1382 lay1560 ferret1582 sift1611 inquire?1615 hunt1712 screenge1825 the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > watching or keeping guard > watch or keep guard over [verb (transitive)] > set watch or guard in (a place) watchc1330 lay1560 1560 J. Daus tr. J. Sleidane Commentaries f. lxxvij Somuche as the waye is layde, that I can neyther come nor sende vnto you. 1608 T. Middleton Your Fiue Gallants sig. G4^v Maister Primero was rob'd of a Carkanet vpon monday last, laid the goldsmiths and found it. 1608 T. Middleton Trick to catch Old-one i. sig. B I haue beene laying all the Towne for thee. a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 2 (1623) iv. ix. 4 I..durst not peepe out, for all the Country is laid for me. View more context for this quotation 1621 Bp. H. King Serm. 3 As exquisite gluttons lay all markets for fare. a1641 T. Heywood & W. Rowley Fortune by Land & Sea ii, in Wks. (1874) VI. 390 Continue our pursuit, all ways are layd. 19. to lay siege to, †unto, †about, †against, †before: to besiege; also figurative to attack. †Also to lay battery, blockade to. ΘΚΠ society > armed hostility > attack > action or state of siege or blockade > besiege or blockade [verb (transitive)] belieOE besita1100 beset?c1225 assiege1297 besiege1297 belayc1320 umsiegea1325 ensiegec1380 environa1382 to set before1382 siege1390 forset?a1400 foldc1400 setc1400 to lay siege to, unto, about, against, beforec1449 oppugn?a1475 pursue1488 obsess1503 ferma1522 gird1548 begird1589 beleaguer1590 block1591 invest1591 intermure1606 blockade1684 to lay blockade to1713 leaguer1720 to form the siege1776 cerne1857 c1449 R. Pecock Repressor (1860) 258 King Herri leieth a sege to Harflew. c1450 (c1400) Sowdon of Babylon (1881) l. 2071 The sege he did leyen a-bowte On every side of that Cite. 1470–85 T. Malory Morte d'Arthur xx. x. 814 All his hoost made hem redy to laye syege aboute sir Launcelot. 1485 W. Caxton tr. Thystorye & Lyf Charles the Grete sig. kvj^v/1 He layed syege tofore it by the space of foure monethes. a1513 W. Dunbar Poems (1998) I. 230 Gar lay ane sege unto ȝone fort. 1560 J. Daus tr. J. Sleidane Commentaries f. clxxxiiij King Fernando besegeth Offen or Buda and layeth to it battery. a1616 W. Shakespeare Merry Wives of Windsor (1623) ii. ii. 226 To lay an amiable siege to the honesty of this Fords wife. View more context for this quotation 1647 T. May Hist. Parl. iii. v. 98 Three daies after the siege was layed. 1713 Light to Blind in 10th Rep. Royal Comm. Hist. MSS (1885) App. v. 200 His General..had lay'd a blocade..to Girona with 12,000 men. 1867 C. M. Yonge Cameos lxxxvi, in Monthly Packet Dec. 536 He laid siege to Roxburgh Castle. 20. †a. To post or station (a body of soldiers, etc.); to station (post-horses) along a route. Also, to beset (a place) with soldiers. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ society > armed hostility > military operations > distribution of troops > [verb (transitive)] > assign to position lay1454 stell1488 station1748 possie1918 society > travel > transport > transport or conveyance in a vehicle > transport by relays of horses or vehicles > [verb (transitive)] > station post-horses along a route lay1689 1454 Petition W. Ingham in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) II. 87 The seide Thomas..layde dyuers folkes arraied in maner of werre..in ij busshementes. 1523 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Cronycles I. xc. 113 The lorde Loyes..and sir Othes Dornes, were layd on the see about Gernzay. 1535 Bible (Coverdale) 2 Chron. xxxiii. 14 He..layed captaynes in y^e stronge cities of Iuda. 1548 Hall's Vnion: Edward IV f. ccviij Without anye army layd..to kepe the Erle from landyng. 1577 R. Holinshed Hist. Eng. 128/2 in Chron. I They..lay the Sea coastes full of Souldiers. a1599 E. Spenser View State Ireland 88 in J. Ware Two Hist. Ireland (1633) There is a Band of Souldiours layde in Mounster. 1689 T. Shadwell Bury-Fair iv, in Wks. (1720) IV. 182 He has laid horses, and will be ready to escape. 1736 T. Lediard Life Marlborough III. 299 Parties of Horse..were laid on the Road between Antwerp and that Town, to Escort his Grace. 1862 Temple Bar 6 566 I travelled in a manner which..used to be..very common in India... It is called ‘laying horses’; that is, you ‘lay’ out a horse every seven or eight miles along the road you are going to take. b. To place or locate (a scene). †Also, to assign to a specified locality. to lay the venue: see the noun. ΘΚΠ the world > space > place > [verb (transitive)] > assign or attribute to particular place lay1576 locate1781 localize1797 place1885 1576 W. Lambarde Perambulation of Kent 171 The booke of Domesday speaking of Apuldore, laieth it in the hundreth of Blackburne. 1597 W. Shakespeare Romeo & Juliet Prol. 2 In faire Verona, where we lay our Scene. View more context for this quotation 1601 P. Holland tr. Pliny Hist. World I. 145 Other Geographers..lay it as a dependant annexed to Affrick. 1668 J. Dryden Of Dramatick Poesie 50 The Scene of it [sc. The Silent Woman] is laid in London. 1785 W. Cowper Task iv. 697 I never framed a wish or formed a plan..But there I laid the scene. 1868 W. E. Gladstone Juventus Mundi (1870) ii. 34 In the legend of the birth of Eurustheus, the scene is laid in Ἄργος Ἀχαϊκόν. 21. With object denoting a member of the body. a. gen. To place (one's limbs, etc.) in a certain position. ΘΚΠ the world > space > relative position > posture > place into or assume a posture [verb (transitive)] > specific part of body lay1362 1362 W. Langland Piers Plowman A. vii. 115 And summe leiden the legges a-liri as suche losels cunne. 1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 602/1 Laye your legges a crosse and I wyll teache you a play. a1616 W. Shakespeare Othello (1622) iii. iii. 428 Then layed his leg Ouer my thigh, and sigh'd, and kissed. View more context for this quotation 1842 Ld. Tennyson Beggar Maid 1 Her arms across her breast she laid. 1859 J. M. Jephson & L. Reeve Narr. Walking Tour Brittany iii. 29 The horse who was caressed in this affectionate style had scarcely the spirit even to lay back his ears. †b. to lay eyes on: to ‘set eyes on’, look at. ΘΚΠ the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (transitive)] > look at or behold to look to ——eOE showeOE lookeOE lookOE behold971 beseec1000 seeOE to see on ——OE yseeOE yseeOE belookc1175 to look against ——c1225 to lay eyes onc1230 biwaita1250 holde1303 aseea1325 to see upon ——a1350 rewardc1350 to look of ——?c1400 eyea1425 visage1450 aviewa1513 gove1513 regard1523 to look unto ——1545 respect1567 survise1600 aspect1610 reflect1611 inspeculate1694 spectate1709 to look for ——1786 deek1825 lookit1908 lamp1916 c1230 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Corpus Cambr.) (1962) 33 Ha lette him leggen ehnen on hire. 1676 A. Marvell Mr. Smirke sig. G^v The fairest thing that ever eyes were laid on. 1820 W. Irving Legend Sleepy Hollow in Sketch Bk. vi. 75 From the moment Ichabod laid his eyes upon these regions of delight, the peace of his mind was at an end. c. to lay hands (or †hand) on or upon (†also in, to) a person or thing; (in the earliest quots. const. dative pronoun as indirect object with on adv.): (a) in lit. sense, to place one's hands on or apply them to, esp. for purposes of appropriation or in violence; hence (b) to seize, get hold of, appropriate; (c) to do violence to; now to lay violent hands on (with oneself = to commit suicide); (d) to perform the rite of imposition of hands in confirmation or ordination. ΘΚΠ the mind > possession > taking > seizing > seize [verb (transitive)] gripea900 afangOE to lay hands (or hand) on or upon (also in, to)OE repeOE atfonga1000 keepc1000 fang1016 kip1297 seize1338 to seize on or upon1399 to grip toc1400 rapc1415 to rap and rendc1415 comprise1423 forsetc1430 grip1488 to put (one's) hand(s) on (also in, to, unto, upon)1495 compass1509 to catch hold1520 hap1528 to lay hold (up)on, of1535 seisin?c1550 cly1567 scratch1582 attach1590 asseizea1593 grasp1642 to grasp at1677 collar1728 smuss1736 get1763 pin1768 grabble1796 bag1818 puckerow1843 nobble1877 jump1882 snaffle1902 snag1962 pull1967 the world > action or operation > behaviour > bad behaviour > violent behaviour > treat violently [verb (transitive)] > treat violently or roughly to lay hands (or hand) on or upon (also in, to)OE ransacka1400 attamec1430 ruffle1489 tug1493 to shear against the wool1546 rumble1570 finger1572 to pull about1679 misguggle1814 rowdy1825 to jerk around1833 scrag1835 rough1845 hooligan1898 roughhouse1898 savage1899 to rough up1915 to treat 'em rough1918 society > faith > worship > sacrament > order > ordination > ordain [verb (transitive)] hallowc900 hodec1275 sacrec1290 ordainc1300 orderc1330 consecrate1387 sanctify1390 canonize1393 to lay hands (or hand) on or upon (also in, to)a1400 consacrea1492 ensacrea1492 ordinate1508 impose1582 japan1756 OE Riddle 80 4 Cwen mec hwilum hwitloccedu hond on legeð, eorles dohtor, þeah hio æþelu sy. c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 4085 Ne funde he nonne swa kene mon þat hond him durste leggen [c1300 Otho legge] on. c1300 Havelok (Laud) (1868) 994 Neuere more he him misdede, Ne hond on him with yuele leyde. a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 4113 And ðine hondes ley him on, Sey him on ðin stede to gon. 1340 Ayenbite (1866) 41 Sacrilege is..huanne me layþ hand ine kueade ine clerk. c1380 J. Wyclif Sel. Wks. III. 321 Alle þo þat leyn hond on fadir or modir in violence ben cursed of God and man. a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Fairf. 14) l. 19393 On ham þai laide þaire hali hande & a quile ware praiande. a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 122893 A! Ion..nan was worthier þan þou Hand to lai on suete iesu, To giue him þat hali sacrament. 1490 W. Caxton tr. Foure Sonnes of Aymon (1885) xxii. 479 It is trouth that X rybawdes cam here ryght now, and layd hande vpon me. c1515 Ld. Berners tr. Bk. Duke Huon of Burdeux (1882–7) lviii. 199 Gerames..layd handes on him, as though he toke hym prysoner. 1549 R. Crowley Voyce Laste Trumpet sig. Aii If God haue laied his hande on the And made the low. 1569 R. Grafton Chron. II. 362 There was no great Ship on the Sea that the French men could lay theyr handes upon. 1606 G. W. tr. Trogus Pompeius Hist. Ivstine xliii. 135 By meanes whereof, the treason comming to light, the Ligurians were laide hand on. 1608 W. Shakespeare King Lear xx. 176 O here he is, lay hands vpon him sirs. View more context for this quotation 1662 Bk. Com. Prayer, Burial Dead (rubric) Or have laid violent hands upon themselves. 1726 W. R. Chetwood Voy. & Adventures Capt. R. Boyle 55 I loaded them with..any thing I could lay my Hands on. 1785 W. Cowper Task ii. 393 O ye mitred heads..lay not careless hands On skulls that cannot teach, and will not learn. 1860 C. Dickens Uncommerc. Traveller in All Year Round 21 July 351/2 Any object they think they can lay their thieving hands on. 1888 A. Jessopp Coming of Friars ii. 99 A mob..laid hands on a quantity of timber fit for building purposes, and took it away bodily. 1890 Guardian 29 Oct. 1693/3 The Government have laid hands on the last fraction of the sum reserved for the redemption of the public debt. †d. to lay (a) hand: to assist, ‘lend’ a hand. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > easiness > aid, help, or assistance > aid, help, or assist [verb (intransitive)] help?c1225 to shove at the cart1421 supply1446 assist?1518 to lend a hand (or a helping hand)1598 to hold handc1600 to put to one's hand (also hands)1603 seconda1609 subminister1611 to give (lend) a lift1622 to lay (a) hand1634 to give a hand1682 to bear a hand1710 to chip in1872 1634 T. Herbert Relation Some Yeares Trauaile 192 Happy is that man or child can lay a hand to help to draw it. 1645 E. Pagitt Heresiogr. 41 Alas our poore Church is oppressed, and who laiteh [sic] hand to help. e. To apply (the tongue) to some kind of utterance. ΚΠ 1893 Cornhill Mag. Nov. 516 His voice, though he so often laid it to vehement words, was distinctly pleasant. f. to lay a finger on: see to lay a finger on at finger n. Phrases 4d. to lay one's finger on: see to lay one's finger on at finger n. Phrases 4f(a). 22. to lay hold (up)on, of: to take into one's grasp, to grasp, seize on (with material and immaterial object); to avail oneself of (a pretext). ΘΚΠ the mind > possession > taking > seizing > seize [verb (transitive)] gripea900 afangOE to lay hands (or hand) on or upon (also in, to)OE repeOE atfonga1000 keepc1000 fang1016 kip1297 seize1338 to seize on or upon1399 to grip toc1400 rapc1415 to rap and rendc1415 comprise1423 forsetc1430 grip1488 to put (one's) hand(s) on (also in, to, unto, upon)1495 compass1509 to catch hold1520 hap1528 to lay hold (up)on, of1535 seisin?c1550 cly1567 scratch1582 attach1590 asseizea1593 grasp1642 to grasp at1677 collar1728 smuss1736 get1763 pin1768 grabble1796 bag1818 puckerow1843 nobble1877 jump1882 snaffle1902 snag1962 pull1967 the world > movement > absence of movement > hold or holding > hold [verb (transitive)] > lay hold of or grasp i-fangc888 gripc950 repeOE befongOE keepc1000 latchc1000 hentOE begripec1175 becatchc1200 fang?c1200 i-gripea1225 warpa1225 fastenc1225 arepa1250 to set (one's) hand(s onc1290 kip1297 cleach?a1300 hendc1300 fasta1325 reachc1330 seizec1374 beclipc1380 takea1387 span1398 to seize on or upon1399 getc1440 handc1460 to catch hold1520 to take hold1530 to lay hold (up)on, of1535 grasple1553 to have by the backa1555 handfast1562 apprehend1572 grapple1582 to clap hold of1583 comprehend1584 graspa1586 attach1590 gripple1591 engrasp1593 clum1594 to seize of1600 begriple1607 fast hold1611 impalm1611 fista1616 to set (one's) hand to1638 to get one's hands on1649 the world > action or operation > advantage > be advantageous or beneficial to [verb (transitive)] > take advantage of to take (the) advantagea1393 prosecute1594 to make boot of1606 to lay hold (up)on, ofa1715 to trade upon ——1832 to trade on ——1843 market1906 1535 Bible (Coverdale) Prov. iii. B She is a tre of life to them that laye holde vpon her. 1551 R. Robinson tr. T. More Vtopia sig. Qiii They layde holde on hym. 1579 S. Gosson Schoole of Abuse f. 36^v If he presume to enter our house,..we lay holde on his locks, turne him away with his backe ful of stripes. 1604 E. Grimeston tr. J. de Acosta Nat. & Morall Hist. Indies iv. vi. 221 Hee was forced to lay holde vpon a braunch. 1611 Bible (King James) Matt. xiv. 3. 1611 Bible (King James) 1 Tim. vi. 12. 1613 S. Purchas Pilgrimage 889 Stealing closely, or openly, any thing they could lay hold on. 1710 R. Steele Tatler No. 194. ⁋12 For offering in so rude a Manner to lay hold on a Virgin. a1715 Bp. G. Burnet Hist. Own Time (1724) I. 245 Lady Dysert laid hold on his absence in Scotland to make a breach between them. 1715 J. Addison Spectator No. 556. ¶5 I laid hold of all Opportunities to exert it. 1726 Four Years Voy. Capt. G. Roberts 26 I was willing to lay hold of the Frieght offered, for fear his Sloop should come. 1836 F. Marryat Mr. Midshipman Easy I. xi. 163 So saying, the boatswain lays hold of the boy. 1870 R. Anderson Hist. Missions Amer. Board II. ix. 68 The natives..laid hold on the sailors. 1875 A. Helps Social Pressure ii. 24 There is no municipality which can lay hold of this land. 23. reflexive and intransitive. To apply oneself to; †to set oneself against. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > difficulty > opposition > oppose [verb (reflexive)] opponea1522 lay1535 oppose1579 to breast oneself against (or to) something1810 the world > action or operation > manner of action > effort or exertion > exert oneself [verb (reflexive)] afforcec1300 enforcec1386 virtuea1393 endeavourc1400 naitc1400 envirtue1477 exploit1490 to put it forthc1500 constrainc1510 efforce1512 lay1535 evirtuate1642 to exert oneself1736 hump1835 spread1843 to put about1983 society > education > learning > study > [verb (reflexive)] lay1865 1535 Bible (Coverdale) 1 Sam. ii. 29 Why layest thou thy selfe then agaynst my sacrifices and meatofferinges? 1856 E. K. Kane Arctic Explor. II. xxix. 297 Not even after the death of the usuk did our men lay to their oars more heartily. 1865 T. Carlyle Hist. Friedrich II of Prussia V. xviii. xii. 295 When Friedrich laid himself to engineering, I observe, he did it well. 24. Military. To set (a gun, etc.) in the correct position for hitting a mark. Also absol. ΘΚΠ society > armed hostility > military equipment > operation and use of weapons > action of propelling missile > discharge of firearms > fire (a gun) [verb (transitive)] > aim (gun) lay1480 dispart1578 train1795 1480 W. Caxton Chron. Eng. (1482) ccxliii. 290 Anone he leyd his ordynaunce and in the leyng of a gonne come a quarell and smote the good Erle Edmond in the hede. 1565 T. Cooper Thesaurus at Arcus Tendere aliquo arcum, to lay or leuell toward. 1859 F. A. Griffiths Artillerist's Man. (1862) 103 No 1 commands and lays. 1875 C. Clery Minor Tactics xi. 134 Not..so much by the distance the gun can carry, as by the accuracy with which it can be laid. 1883 Ld. Saltoun Scraps I. 224 A young officer of the line regiment asked to be allowed to lay the gun for that shot. 25. a. To put into a condition (usually one of subjection, passivity, or exposure to view or danger: cf. the corresponding uses of lie v.¹ 8), which is expressed by an adjective complement, adverb, or adverbial phrase, as in to lay fallow, idle; to lay (land) dry, under water; to lay under necessity, obligation, difficulty, a command, etc. to lay bare: (a) to denude, remove the covering from; (b) to expose to view, reveal. †to lay in forbode: to prohibit the use of. †to lay to sight: to reveal, disclose. to lay under contribution: see contribution n. 1b. to lay in (also a) water: see water n. Phrases 2f. For lay open, waste, see the adjectives. ΘΚΠ the world > existence and causation > causation > [verb (transitive)] > bring (a person or thing) into a state or condition set971 haveOE wendOE to bring onc1230 teemc1275 putc1330 run1391 casta1400 laya1400 stead1488 constitute1490 render1490 takea1530 introduce1532 deduce1545 throw?1548 derive?c1550 turn1577 to work up1591 estate1605 arrive1607 state1607 enduea1616 assert1638 sublime1654 to run up1657 society > authority > subjection > prohibition > prohibit [verb (transitive)] > proscribe or interdict to lay in forbodea1400 outlawc1400 suspend1488 interdict1502 inhibita1513 proscribe1622 contraband1678 ban1816 red-line1958 society > communication > manifestation > disclosure or revelation > disclose or reveal [verb (transitive)] unwryc825 unhelec1000 to draw forthc1175 unhillc1200 to bring forth?c1225 unsteekc1250 let witc1275 uncovera1300 wraya1300 knowc1300 barea1325 shrivec1374 unwrapc1374 again-covera1382 nakena1382 outc1390 tellc1390 disclosea1393 cough1393 unhidea1400 unclosec1400 unhaspc1400 bewrayc1405 reveal1409 accusea1413 reveil1424 unlocka1425 unrekec1425 disclude?1440 uncurec1440 utter1444 detect1447 break1463 expose1483 divinec1500 revelate1514 to bring (also put) to light1526 decipher1529 rake1547 rip1549 unshadow1550 to lay to sight1563 uppen1565 unlace1567 unvisor?1571 resign1572 uncloak1574 disshroud1577 spill1577 reap1578 unrip1579 scour1585 unharboura1586 unmask1586 uncase1587 descrya1591 unclasp?1592 unrive1592 discover1594 unburden1594 untomb1594 unhusk1596 dismask1598 to open upc1600 untruss1600 divulge1602 unshale1606 unbrace1607 unveil1609 rave1610 disveil1611 unface1611 unsecret1612 unvizard1620 to open up1624 uncurtain1628 unscreen1628 unbare1630 disenvelop1632 unclothe1632 to lay forth1633 unshroud1633 unmuffle1637 midwife1638 dissecret1640 unseal1640 unmantle1643 to fetch out1644 undisguise1655 disvelop1658 decorticate1660 clash1667 exert1692 disinter1711 to up with1715 unbundlea1739 develop1741 disembosom1745 to open out1814 to let out1833 unsack1846 uncrown1849 to bring (out) in (also into) the open1861 unfrock1866 disbosom1868 to blow the lid off1928 flush1950 surface1955 to take or pull the wraps off1964 the world > space > relative position > condition of being external > covering > uncovering > uncover or remove covering from [verb (transitive)] > uncover and expose unwryc825 bareOE unhelec1000 uncoverc1390 disclosea1393 to lay outa1400 unhidea1400 declose14.. unbare1530 discover1563 imbear1657 fleece1667 unfence1715 to lay bare1807 to open out1832 strip1839 expose1851 a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 765 Þe midward tre is vs outtan, Our lauerd in forbot has it laid. 1563 2nd Tome Homelyes Matrimony, in J. Griffiths Two Bks. Homilies (1859) ii. 513 Let him..never lay these matters to sight. 1695 J. Collier Misc. upon Moral Subj. 41 It lays him at the Mercy of Chance and Humour. 1736 T. Lediard Life Marlborough I. 156 He first laid the Country under Water. 1748 B. Robins & R. Walter Voy. round World by Anson ii. xii. 262 This laid us under a necessity of filling all our casks from the furthest part of the lake. 1748 Ld. Chesterfield Let. 18 Nov. (1932) (modernized text) IV. 1261 Which might..lay him under difficulties—both what to say and how to look. 1807 R. Wilson Jrnl. 2 July in Life Gen. Sir R. Wilson (1862) II. viii. 291 I rowed part of the way in the queen's boat, an exercise..of which my hands will long bear the marks, as they are laid bare over the whole of both palms. 1862 J. Tyndall Mountaineering in 1861 vi. 44 A space of comparatively dry clay was laid bare. 1873 C. M. Yonge Cameos cxvi, in Monthly Packet July 9 He was laid under orders to follow the commands of the Spanish king. 1897 Daily News 26 Feb. 7/3 Another workmen's train was stopped..many workmen being thus laid idle for the day. b. to lay fast: to set fast, render unable to proceed or escape; †formerly, to put in fetters, imprison (also †to lay fast by the feet). Also to lay by the heels: see heel n.¹ and int. Phrases 2b. ΘΚΠ society > authority > subjection > restraint or restraining > restraint depriving of liberty > deprive of liberty by restraint [verb (transitive)] at-hold?c1225 to hold inc1300 withholda1325 distrainc1340 restrain1397 stressa1425 detain1485 to lay fast1560 constrain1590 enstraiten1619 embinda1628 pin1738 coerce1780 deport1909 society > authority > subjection > restraint or restraining > restraint depriving of liberty > binding or fettering > bind, fetter, or shackle [verb (transitive)] > by the feet or legs gyvec1290 fetterc1300 hopshackle?a1513 to lay (also set, clap, etc.) (a person) by the heels?1515 to lay fast by the feet1560 garter1604 enfetter1611 heela1638 1560 J. Daus tr. J. Sleidane Commentaries f. xlij^v [They] required that they might be layde faste by the feete. 1584 R. Scot Discouerie Witchcraft iii. xv. 65 One of Q. Maries iustices..laid an archer by the heeles. 1623 W. Lisle Apostles Dispersed in Ælfric's Saxon Treat. Then laid they his guide fast, that he might not any way escape by flight. 1677 T. Otway Cheats of Scapin i. i, in Titus & Berenice sig. F2^v I know how to lay that Rogue my Son fast. 1809 Q. Rev. Nov. 279 If we are laid fast by want of horses, or mutiny of drivers. 1889 A. Conan Doyle Micah Clarke xxxiv. 308 He had heard that you were laid by the heels. c. Nautical. With adverb complement, as alongside, by the lee, etc. to lay aback (see quots. 1867, 1881). ΘΚΠ society > travel > travel by water > directing or managing a ship > use of sails, spars, or rigging > carry specific amount of sail [verb (transitive)] > trim sails > lay aback to put aback1698 to back a yard1707 bagpipe1769 to lay aback1769 back-wind1899 1627 J. Smith Sea Gram. ix. 43 Lay the ship by the Lee to trie the Dipsie line. 1769 W. Falconer Universal Dict. Marine Transl. French Terms at Scier Mettre à scier,..to back the sails, or lay them aback, so as to make the ship fall astern. 1867 W. H. Smyth & E. Belcher Sailor's Word-bk. 69 To bagpipe the mizen is to lay it aback, by bringing the sheet to the mizen-shrouds. 1869 W. Longman Hist. Edward III I. xviii. 326 The King ordered his ship to be laid alongside a large Spaniard. 1881 L. R. Hamersly Naval Encycl. To lay a yard aback, is to brace it in such a way that the wind will blow against the forward side of the sail. 1891 Cornhill Mag. June 583 Lay her two courses to the wind. d. Nautical. to lay (a ship) aboard: to manoeuvre one's own ship alongside (another) for the purpose of boarding or fighting. Also in extended use. So to lay close, to lay athwart the hawse. ΘΚΠ society > armed hostility > hostilities at sea > operations or manoeuvres > perform operation or manoeuvre [verb (transitive)] > come alongside to fight to board withc1460 boarda1513 to lay (a ship) aboard1569 to clap (a vessel) aboard, on board1583 to lay (a ship) on board1677 to lay close1799 1569 T. Stocker tr. Diodorus Siculus Hist. Successors Alexander iii. viii. 115 It is difficile and harde to laye abord about the beake or forebough of a Gallie. 1588 Holy Bull & Crusade Rome 30 Nowe the Heretickes are layde aboorde, wherby men may perceiue that this good father is not bent against the Turks, but onely against those which will not acknowledge him. 1589 Voy. W. Towrson in R. Hakluyt Princ. Navigations i. 99 We manned out our Skiffe in like case to laye him aboorde. a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 2 (1623) iv. i. 26 I lost mine eye in laying the prize aboord. View more context for this quotation 1631 B. Jonson Bartholmew Fayre iii. ii. 35 in Wks. II Now were a fine time for thee, Win-wife, to lay aboard thy widdow. a1641 T. Heywood & W. Rowley Fortune by Land & Sea (1655) iv. 416 Shall we grapple, and lay their Ship aboard? 1669 S. Sturmy Mariners Mag. i. 19 That if we should be laid aboard, we might clear our Decks. 1707 London Gaz. No. 4369/3 The Sloop soon laid her aboard. 1731 W. Wriglesworth MS. Log-bk. of ‘Lyell’ 2 July A Collier lay'd us athwart the Hawse, and broke our Flying Jib Boom [etc.]. 1739 Encour. Sea-f. People 39 The Superbe putting for it to lay the Admiral aboard, fell on his Weather Quarter. 1799 Ld. Nelson Let. 9 Feb. in Dispatches & Lett. (1845) III. 260 Lay a Frenchman close, and you will beat him. 1815 W. Scott Lord of Isles v. xxiv. 205 A bark from Lorn Laid them aboard that very morn. 1883 R. L. Stevenson Treasure Island ii. xi. 90 Why, how many tall ships, think ye, now, have I seen laid aboard? 1886 R. L. Stevenson Kidnapped xi. 99 We may meet in with a king's ship and she may lay us aboard, sir, with no blame of mine. 1909 Chatterbox 18/2 The San Philip laid the Revenge aboard, side by side, and poured a broadside into her. †e. To bring home to. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > knowledge, what is known > familiarity > be or become conversant [verb (intransitive)] > make aware of lay1709 1709 R. Steele Tatler No. 71. ⁋1 Such a Tract as shall lay Gaming home to the Bosoms of all who love..their Families. IV. To present, put forward (cf. to lay … before at sense 17). 26. a. To put forward, allege (a claim, †reason, †excuse, †example, etc.): often with clause as object. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > testing > debate, disputation, argument > putting forward for discussion > put forward [verb (transitive)] laya1387 proposea1398 stirc1400 move1452 propound?1531 broach1579 start1579 moot1685 to set up1697 argument1747 a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1874) V. 57 He leieþ [v.r. leiþ] for hym þe vers of þe sawter, ‘God schal nouȝt be wrooþ for everemore’. 1481 W. Caxton tr. Myrrour of Worlde iii. xxiv. 193 I leye for myn excuse, that I haue to my power folowed my copye. 1481 E. Paston in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) I. 640 My huswyffe trustythe to ley to ȝow here huswyferey fore here excuse. 1491 Act 7 Hen. VII c. 2 §1 Courtes where the seid proteccions shalbe pleded or leyed for any of the seid persons. 1529 T. More Dialogue Heresyes iii, in Wks. 211/1 Many a witnesse was there to whom he layd none exception. a1533 Ld. Berners tr. A. de Guevara Golden Bk. M. Aurelius (1546) sig. F.iij We muste not lay excuses. a1535 T. More Hist. Richard III in Wks. (1557) 60/2 When he had laid for the proofe & confirmacion of this sentence,..ensamples taken out of the olde testament. ?c1535 L. Cox Arte Rhethorycke (new ed.) sig. Evii He layeth for hym that his mothers abhominable iniury constrayned hym thereto. a1540 R. Barnes Wks. (1573) 345/1 The Priests layd that they were best worthy. 1562 Apol. Priuate Masse 4 b If you haue no scriptures to lay for you, then trouble our mother the holy catholike churche no longer. 1595 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 3 i. i. 153 Plantagenet for all the claime thou laist [1623 lay'st], Thinke not king Henry shall be thus deposde. 1601 R. Johnson tr. G. Botero Trauellers Breuiat 137 These are the reasons which I meant to lay. 1647 A. Cowley Written in Juice of Lemon in Mistress vii And to her Hand lay noble claim. 1847 F. Marryat Children of New Forest II. xii. 273 I prevented it being given to any other, by laying claim to it myself. b. To present (an information, indictment) in legal form. ΘΚΠ society > law > administration of justice > court proceedings or procedure > [verb (transitive)] > lay before court leadc825 presenta1325 pursue1384 propone1400 to put in1447 enterc1503 table1504 to bring in1602 deduce1612 lodge1708 lay1798 to bring up1823 1798 E. H. Bay Rep. Cases Superior Courts S.-Carolina 245 In an indictment for manslaughter, it is necessary to lay it to have been done voluntarily. 1838 C. Dickens Oliver Twist III. li. 311 The gentleman being accommodated with threepennyworth of brandy to restore her, lays an information next day, and pockets half the penalty. 1870 J. E. T. Rogers Hist. Gleanings 2nd Ser. 162 Information having been laid that he had forsworn himself. 1891 Standard 8 Apr. 5/1 Anyone,..whether personally aggrieved or not, may lay an information. c. †(a) To assign (a date). (b) Law. To state or describe as; to fix (damages) at a certain amount. ΘΚΠ the mind > language > statement > state or declare [verb (transitive)] > describe or state as lay1770 c1440 J. Capgrave Life St. Katherine v. 1699 The day of her deth eke ful fayre he leyth Of nouembre moneth. 1770 S. Foote Lame Lover ii. 36 The field..is laid in the indictment as round. 1820 J. Gifford Compl. Eng. Lawyer ii. 248 The time of the death must be laid within a year and a day after the mortal stroke was given. 1820 J. Gifford Compl. Eng. Lawyer ii. 248 The facts must be laid to be done treasonably, and against his allegiance. 1891 Athenæum 7 Mar. 306/1 He laid his damages at 20,000l.; the arbitrators gave him one farthing. †d. To expound, set forth, lay open. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ society > communication > manifestation > [verb (transitive)] uppec897 atewOE sutelec1000 openOE awnc1175 kithec1175 forthteec1200 tawnec1220 let witc1275 forthshowa1300 to pilt out?a1300 showa1300 barea1325 mythc1330 unfoldc1374 to open outc1390 assign1398 mustera1400 reyve?a1400 vouchc1400 manifest?a1425 outshowc1425 ostendc1429 explayc1443 objecta1500 reveala1500 patefy?1509 decipher1529 relieve1533 to set outa1540 utter1542 report1548 unbuckle1548 to set forth1551 demonstrate1553 to hold forth1560 testify1560 explicate1565 forthsetc1565 to give show of1567 denudec1572 exhibit1573 apparent1577 display?1578 carry1580 cipher1583 laya1586 foreshow1590 uncloud?1594 vision1594 explain1597 proclaim1597 unroll1598 discloud1600 remonstrate1601 resent1602 to bring out1608 palesate1613 pronounce1615 to speak out1623 elicit1641 confess1646 bear1657 breathe1667 outplay1702 to throw out1741 evolve1744 announce1781 develop1806 exfoliate1808 evince1829 exposit1882 pack1925 a1586 Sir P. Sidney Arcadia (1590) i. iv. sig. C8^v And yet thus much I wil say for my selfe, that I haue not laid these matters, either so openly, or largely to any as your selfe. †e. intransitive. To give information, tell. Obsolete. rare. ΘΚΠ society > communication > information > action of informing > give information [verb (intransitive)] meanOE telllOE to make reportc1425 wrayc1425 wrobc1425 lay1488 inform1569 intelligence1616 advertise1764 1488 (c1478) Hary Actis & Deidis Schir William Wallace (Adv.) (1968–9) vii. l. 31 To lord Persye off this mater thai laid. 27. a. To bring forward as a charge, accusation, or imputation; to impute, attribute, ascribe (something objectionable). Const. to, †unto, †against, †in, on. ? archaic. ΘΚΠ the world > existence and causation > causation > attribution or assignment of cause > assign to a cause [verb (transitive)] titleOE aretc1340 witena1375 witnea1375 reta1382 depute1382 wite1382 seta1387 layc1425 expoundc1430 imputec1480 attribue1481 assign1489 reckon1526 attribute1530 count1535 allot?1556 draw1578 object1613 prefer1628 entitle1629 implya1641 to score (something) on1645 intitule1651 put1722 to put down1723 charge1737 own1740 place1802 to set down1822 affiliate1823 the mind > attention and judgement > testing > accusation, charge > accuse [verb (transitive)] > lay to one's charge, impute witec893 challenge1297 weena1300 to bear upon —c1300 likenc1400 layc1425 to put upa1438 object1447 establish1483 impose1484 reproach1490 annotea1513 lade1535 appoint1553 burden1559 clap1609 to charge (a fault, etc.) on, upon, against (a person)1611 upcast1825 the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > hostile action or attack > make an attack upon [verb (transitive)] assail?c1225 to set on ——c1290 saila1300 to turn one's handc1325 lashc1330 to set against ——c1330 impugnc1384 offendc1385 weighc1386 checka1400 to lay at?a1400 havec1400 to set at ——c1430 fraya1440 rehetea1450 besail1460 fray1465 tuilyie1487 assaulta1500 enterprise?1510 invade1513 sturt1513 attempt1546 lay1580 tilt1589 to fall aboard——1593 yoke1596 to let into1598 to fall foul1602 attack1655 do1780 to go in at1812 to pitch into ——1823 tackle1828 vampire1832 bushwhack1837 to go for ——1838 take1864 pile1867 volcano1867 to set about ——1879 vampirize1888 to get stuck into1910 to take to ——1911 weigh1941 rugby-tackle1967 rugger-tackle1967 c1425 J. Lydgate Assembly of Gods 208 Thow mayst be dismayde To here so gret compleyntes ayene the layde. 1473 J. Warkworth Chron. (Camden) 5 There was leyde to him hye tresone. ?1515 Hyckescorner (de Worde) sig. C.iii^v They sayd I was a thefe and layd felony vpon me. a1533 Ld. Berners tr. A. de Guevara Golden Bk. M. Aurelius (1546) sig. C.viij^v Lette no man..lay against the goddes, that they be cruell. 1580 Sir P. Sidney tr. Psalmes David xxxv. v Who did me wrong against me wittnesse beare, Laying such things as never in me were. 1597 T. Morley Plaine & Easie Introd. Musicke 76 These objections which you laie against me. 1611 Bible (King James) Job xxiv. 12 God layeth not folly to them. View more context for this quotation 1690 A. Wood Life 25 July E. G. with child, layd on the tapster. 1749 H. Fielding Tom Jones I. i. iii. 14 I'll warrant 'tis not her first [illegitimate child], by her Impudence in laying it to your Worship. View more context for this quotation 1795–7 R. Southey Juvenile & Minor Poems in Poet. Wks. II. 236 That..you should lay to me Unkind neglect. 1861 Temple Bar May 247 This was laid to her overweening pride. 1874 G. W. Dasent Half a Life III. 288 He had of course to lay his sleeplessness on something, and so he laid it on the lobster salad. 1890 Temple Bar Oct. 296 I laid the theft on Bastonjee. b. to lay to (a person's) charge, to lay at or to (his) door, †to lay in (his) dish, †to lay in (his) neck: to impute to, charge upon. Also to lay to one's credit, reproach, etc. (See also the nouns.) ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > testing > accusation, charge > make accusation [phrase] to bear (a person or thing) in (also an, a, on) handc1300 to lay the blame on1393 to give the wrong to?1473 to lay in (his) neckc1515 to cast (any one) in the teeth1526 to cast (a thing) in one's teeth1526 to lay to (also cast in) a person's nose1526 to dash one in the teeth with (something)1530 call to or in coram1542 to cast (also lay, throw) (something) in one's dish1551 to throw (cast) a stone or stones (at)1568 to cast up1604 to nail to the barn door1894 the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > disapproval > reproach > [verb (transitive)] > reproach with upbraida1250 undernimc1320 to lay to one's credit, reproachc1515 to cast (a thing) in one's teeth1526 to twit (a person) in the teeth1530 to hit (one) in the teeth with1535 to cast (also lay, throw) (something) in one's dish1551 to fling (anything) in one's teeth1587 to throw (thrust, fling, (etc.)) (something) in a person's face1597 to tit (a person) in the teeth1622 nose1625 exprobrate1630 puta1663 c1515 Ld. Berners tr. Bk. Duke Huon of Burdeux (1882–7) xxxiii. 102 It shall neuer be layde to my reproche. 1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 603/1 Wyll you laye thefte to his charge, and have no better a grounde? 1534 Bible (Tyndale rev. Joye) Acts vii. 60 Lorde laye not this synne to their charge. 1551 R. Robinson tr. T. More Vtopia i. sig. Qiii The wickedness and follye of others shalbe imputed to hym, and layde in his nekke. 1551 T. Wilson Rule of Reason sig. P vj When wee charge hym, with a like faute, and laye some greater matter in his dishe. 1681 H. More Plain Expos. Daniel 195 The Pontifician Party have no reason to lay such things in the dish of the Reformed. 1701 W. Wotton Hist. Rome 299 The Blood..must all be layd to his door. 1722 W. Sewel Hist. Quakers (1795) I. 8 Under the bloody reign of Queen Mary, this was laid in his dish. 1749 H. Fielding Tom Jones I. i. vii. 34 You have, in a manner, laid your Sins at my Door. View more context for this quotation 1823 W. Scott St. Ronan's Well II. x. 254 Do not force a broken-hearted sister to lay her death at your door. 1885 C. L. Pirkis Lady Lovelace II. xxii. 53 You..laid his death to my charge. 1892 Blackwood's Edinb. Mag. 151 156/2 This..must be laid to the credit of the Tories. V. To impose as a burden. 28. a. To impose (a penalty, command, obligation, burden, tax, etc.). Const. on, upon, (†to). (See also load n.) ΘΚΠ society > authority > command > command or bidding > command [verb (transitive)] > impose setc888 layOE to lay on11.. enjoin?c1225 join1303 adjoina1325 cark1330 taxa1375 puta1382 impose1581 aggravate1583 fasten1585 clap1609 levy1863 octroy1865 OE Guthlac A 713 He mec of heofonum hider onsende, geseah þæt ge on eorðan fore æfstum on his wergengan wite legdon. 11.. Anglo-Saxon Chron. (Laud) 1064 Hi lægdon ærende on hine to þam cynge Eadwarde. 11.. Anglo-Saxon Chron. anno 1137 Hi læiden gæildes on the tunes. ?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 256 Þe Preost ne þarf..leggen oðer schrift on ow. c1380 J. Wyclif Wks. (1880) 336 It were as myche nede to leye now as myche penaunce to summe, as [etc.]. a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 18455 Sant michael for-bot on us laid. 1423 Kingis Quair cxx Thus sall on the my charge bene Ilaid. a1513 W. Dunbar Poems (1998) I. 172 On Fredome is led foirfalture. c1515 Ld. Berners tr. Bk. Duke Huon of Burdeux (1882–7) lxx. 240 You knowe the payne that I layde on your hedes yf Huon dyd not accomplysshe my message. 1557 Bible (Whittingham) 1 Cor. ix. 16 For necessitie is layd vpon me [Gk. ἀνάγκη γάρ μοι ἐπίκειται], and wo is it vnto me, yf I preache not the Gospel. 1590 ‘Pasquil’ First Pt. Pasquils Apol. sig. C iij^v People may not looke to lay all vppon the Parsons shoulders. 1621 H. Elsynge Notes Deb. House of Lords (1870) 66 Yf..the delinquent is worthy of a greate punishment; but, the question is, by whom yt is to be layed? 1662 E. Stillingfleet Origines Sacræ ii. vi. §6 We are not to think that an Oath layes any greater obligation upon God for performance, then the meer declaration of his will. 1697 J. Potter Archæologiæ Græcæ I. i. xxi. 113 If a pecuniary Mulct was laid upon him. 1781 D. Williams tr. Voltaire Dramatic Wks. II. 103 Once only do I mean to lay my commands upon you. 1790 T. Jefferson Writings (1859) III. 153 The improbability that Congress would ever lay taxes where the States could do it separately. 1845 J. R. McCulloch Treat. Taxation ii. xii. 334 An additional duty..was laid on windows. 1855 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. IV. xxi. 554 Northumberland strictly obeyed the injunction which had been laid on him. 1870 J. E. T. Rogers Hist. Gleanings 2nd Ser. 195 The burden of proof being laid on the accused person. 1872 C. M. Yonge Cameos cix, in Monthly Packet Mar. 233 Severe fines were laid on all the villages. 1885 ‘E. F. Byrrne’ Entangled II. ii. viii. 265 The dead mother has laid it upon you to find it. †b. To quarter (soldiers) on or upon. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ society > armed hostility > military organization > logistics > quartering > quarter (troops) [verb (transitive)] > on someone harbourc1330 cess1612 lay1612 quarter1649 1612 J. Davies Discouerie Causes Ireland 58 The souldiers for want of pay were sessed and laide vppon the subiects against their willes. 1669 Ormonde MSS in 10th Rep. Royal Comm. Hist. MSS (1885) App. v. 102 Wee require the souldiers..to draw off from the petitioner and his tenants, and..to..shew by what authority..they are layd uppon them. 1669 Ormonde MSS in 10th Rep. Royal Comm. Hist. MSS (1885) App. v. 102 It not being lawfull to lay souldiers on any persons. †c. To assess, rate, tax (a person). Obsolete. ΘΚΠ society > trade and finance > fees and taxes > impost, due, or tax > tax > taxation > levy (a tax) [verb (transitive)] > tax (a person or thing) layc1330 tailc1330 taxc1330 scot1432 patise1436 sess1465 task1483 assessa1513 cessa1513 lot1543 toust1565 imposea1618 talliate1762 c1330 R. Mannyng Chron. (1810) 261 Marchaunt & burgeis to þe sext be laid. 1467 in J. T. Smith & L. T. Smith Eng. Gilds (1870) 387 What persone that refuseth to paye, at that tyme as he ys assessed or leyd, shal paye to the comen cofre xl.d. 1707 in J. A. Picton City of Liverpool: Select. Munic. Rec. (1886) II. 45 He is still lay'd and tax'd for it. 1712 H. Prideaux Direct. Church-wardens (ed. 4) 47 The Lands, in respect of which he is lay'd, are out of the Parish. 29. To cast (blame, †aspersions, †ridicule) on or upon; also const. †in, †to. ΘΚΠ the world > existence and causation > causation > attribution or assignment of cause > assign to a cause [verb (transitive)] > attribute something to someone > put upon or ascribe to someone fastOE lay13.. fastenc1390 redound1477 impinge1535 thank1560 stick1607 patronize1626 fix1665 13.. K. Alis. 1553 ‘Byschop,’ he saide, ‘there is a sclaunder, Y-layd on me kyng Alisaunder’. c1330 Spec. Gy Warw. 592 Many a skorn [was] on him leid [v.r. Ileide]. 1390 J. Gower Confessio Amantis I. 76 The blame upon the duke they laide. 1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 602/2 Why lay you the blame of this faute to me? 1545 R. Ascham Toxophilus i. f. 4 The fault is not to be layed in the thyng whiche was worthie to be written vpon. 1560 J. Daus tr. J. Sleidane Commentaries f. ccxliiij Yf any man shulde lay the blame in vs. 1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene iii. i. sig. Bb6^v And laid the blame, not to his carriage, But to his starting steed, that swaru'd asyde. 1647 T. May Hist. Parl. i. i. 14 A declaration..wherein aspertions were laid vpon some members. 1676 C. Hatton in E. M. Thompson Corr. Family of Hatton (1878) I. 130 All y^e blame wase layd on y^e wine and he pardoned. 1819 W. Irving Rip Van Winkle in Sketch Bk. i. 62 The good wives of the village..never failed..to lay all the blame on Dame van Winkle. 30. to lay stress, weight, emphasis on or upon: to emphasize, bring into special prominence, attach great importance to. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > importance > [verb (transitive)] > attach importance to > render outstanding aggravate1549 accent1595 to lay weight upon1600 emphase1631 circumflect1643 to lay (also place, put) stress on (also upon)1653 to set home1656 forestall1657 circumflex1661 signalize1698 to lay stress, weight, emphasis on or upon1748 emphasize1793 accentuate1817 stress1845 to rub in1851 to draw out1855 underline1880 punctuate1883 peak1887 underscore1891 to point up1926 1666 S. Pepys Diary 3 July (1972) VII. 192 The House doth not lay much weight upon him or anything he says. 1676 J. Glanvill Ess. vii. 33 They doated upon little, needless, foolish things, and lay'd a great stress of Religion upon them. 1686 A. Horneck Crucified Jesus viii. 136 The Greek Church to this day lays the stress of consecration upon the prayer of the Holy Ghost. 1700 J. Wallis in C. R. L. Fletcher Collectanea (1885) I. 327 He seems to lay weight on this. 1748 J. Mason Ess. Elocution 26 To see that it [the Emphasis] be always laid on the emphatical Word. 1795 L. Murray Eng. Gram. 154 On whichever word we lay the emphasis..it strikes out a different sense. 1845 J. R. McCulloch Treat. Taxation ii. vii. 296 The only objection..on which any stress can be fairly laid. 1890 T. F. Tout in F. Y. Powell et al. Hist. Eng. III. 234 The great teachers laid all the stress on dogma. 31. To bring (a stick, etc.) down upon; to inflict (blows). Also to lay it on (literal and figurative). ΘΚΠ society > armed hostility > military equipment > operation and use of weapons > use or wield (a weapon) [verb (transitive)] wieldOE swipc1275 layc1330 fall1597 ground?1650 the world > movement > impact > striking > strike [verb (transitive)] > deal or give (a stroke or blow) setc1300 smitec1300 layc1330 drivec1380 slentc1380 hit?a1400 to lay ona1400 reacha1400 fetchc1400 depart1477 warpc1480 throw1488 lenda1500 serve1561 wherret1599 senda1627 lunge1735 to lay in1809 wreak1817 to get in1834 the world > movement > impact > striking > striking with specific thing > strike with specific thing [verb (transitive)] > deliver a blow with layc1330 strike1548 c1330 (?a1300) Guy of Warwick (Auch.) p. 422 & we leyd on hem dintes grete. 1399 W. Langland Richard Redeles iii. 338 They leid on þi leigis, Richard, lasshis y-now. a1513 W. Dunbar Poems (1998) I. 221 Thane is thair laid on me ane quhip. 1568 Christis Kirk on Grene in W. T. Ritchie Bannatyne MS (1928) II. 265 The reird raiss rudly w^t the rappis quhen rungis wes layd on riggis. a1616 W. Shakespeare Julius Caesar (1623) iv. ii. 319 Layest thou thy Leaden Mace vpon my Boy? View more context for this quotation 1833 T. B. Macaulay in Life & Lett. (1880) I. 337 I have laid it on Walpole..unsparingly. 1879 J. A. Froude Cæsar xx. 338 What if my son wishes to lay a stick on my back? 32. absol. and intransitive. To deal blows; to make an attack. Chiefly in phraseological expressions with prepositions. a. to lay on or upon: to attack vigorously, to beat soundly. (See also to lay on at Phrasal verbs.) ΘΚΠ society > armed hostility > attack > attack [verb (transitive)] greetc893 overfallOE riseOE assail?c1225 to lay on or upon?c1225 onseekc1275 to set on ——c1290 infighta1300 saila1300 to go upon ——c1300 to turn one's handc1325 lashc1330 annoyc1380 impugnc1384 offendc1385 to fall on ——a1387 sault1387 affrayc1390 to set upon ——1390 to fall upon ——a1398 to lay at?a1400 semblea1400 assayc1400 havec1400 aset1413 oppressa1425 attachc1425 to set at ——c1430 fraya1440 fray1465 oppugn?a1475 sayc1475 envaye1477 pursue1488 envahisshe1489 assaulta1500 to lay to, untoa1500 requirea1500 enterprise?1510 invade1513 assemblec1515 expugn1530 to fare on1535 to fall into ——1550 mount1568 attack?1576 affront1579 invest1598 canvass1599 to take arms1604 attempt1605 to make force at, to, upon1607 salute1609 offence1614 strikea1616 to give a lift at1622 to get at ——1650 insult1697 to walk into ——1794 to go in at1812 to go for ——1838 to light on ——1842 strafe1915 society > authority > punishment > corporal punishment > administer corporal punishment [verb (transitive)] > beat threshOE beatc1000 to lay on?c1225 chastise1362 rapa1400 dressc1405 lack?c1475 paya1500 currya1529 coil1530 cuff1530 baste1533 thwack1533 lick1535 firka1566 trounce1568 fight1570 course1585 bumfeage1589 feague1589 lamback1589 lambskin1589 tickle1592 thrash1593 lam1595 bumfeagle1598 comb1600 fer1600 linge1600 taw1600 tew1600 thrum1604 feeze1612 verberate1614 fly-flap1620 tabor1624 lambaste1637 feak1652 flog1676 to tan (a person's) hide1679 slipper1682 liquora1689 curry-comb1708 whack1721 rump1735 screenge1787 whale1790 lather1797 tat1819 tease1819 larrup1823 warm1824 haze1825 to put (a person) through a course of sprouts1839 flake1841 swish1856 hide1875 triangle1879 to give (a person or thing) gyp1887 soak1892 to loosen (a person's) hide1902 the world > movement > impact > striking > beating or repeated striking > beat [verb (transitive)] > specifically a person to-beatc893 threshOE bustc1225 to lay on or upon?c1225 berrya1250 to-bunea1250 touchc1330 arrayc1380 byfrapc1380 boxc1390 swinga1400 forbeatc1420 peal?a1425 routa1425 noddlea1450 forslinger1481 wipe1523 trima1529 baste1533 waulk1533 slip1535 peppera1550 bethwack1555 kembc1566 to beat (a person) black and blue1568 beswinge1568 paik1568 trounce1568 canvass1573 swaddle?1577 bebaste1582 besoop1589 bumfeage1589 dry-beat1589 feague1589 lamback1589 clapperclaw1590 thrash1593 belam1595 lam1595 beswaddle1598 bumfeagle1598 belabour1600 tew1600 flesh-baste1611 dust1612 feeze1612 mill1612 verberate1614 bethumpa1616 rebuke1619 bemaul1620 tabor1624 maula1627 batterfang1630 dry-baste1630 lambaste1637 thunder-thump1637 cullis1639 dry-banga1640 nuddle1640 sauce1651 feak1652 cotton1654 fustigate1656 brush1665 squab1668 raddle1677 to tan (a person's) hide1679 slam1691 bebump1694 to give (a person) his load1694 fag1699 towel1705 to kick a person's butt1741 fum1790 devel1807 bray1808 to beat (also scare, etc.) someone's daylights out1813 mug1818 to knock (a person) into the middle of next week1821 welt1823 hidea1825 slate1825 targe1825 wallop1825 pounce1827 to lay into1838 flake1841 muzzle1843 paste1846 looder1850 frail1851 snake1859 fettle1863 to do over1866 jacket1875 to knock seven kinds of —— out of (a person)1877 to take apart1880 splatter1881 to beat (knock, etc.) the tar out of1884 to —— the shit out of (a person or thing)1886 to do up1887 to —— (the) hell out of1887 to beat — bells out of a person1890 soak1892 to punch out1893 stoush1893 to work over1903 to beat up1907 to punch up1907 cream1929 shellac1930 to —— the bejesus out of (a person or thing)1931 duff1943 clobber1944 to fill in1948 to bash up1954 to —— seven shades of —— out of (a person or thing)1976 to —— seven shades out of (a person or thing)1983 beast1990 becurry- fan- ?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 215 Wið þe halirode stef þet him is laðest cuggel lei onþe dogge deouel. c1305 Edmund Conf. 112 in Early Eng. Poems & Lives Saints (1862) 74 And euere seide þis holi man as he leide on hire faste Maide þu schalt lurny þus awei forto caste Þi fole wil of þi flesch. c1330 Arth. & Merl. 4046 (Kölbing) Ich on oþer gan to legge. 1480 W. Caxton Chron. Eng. lxii. 46 The whyte dragon egrely assaylled the reede and layd on hym so strongly that [etc.]. a1500 (a1460) Towneley Plays (1994) I. xvi. 200 Ther was none that I spard, Bot lade on and dang them. 1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection iii. sig. UUUi They layde on hym with their fystes & other wepyns. 1590 E. Webbe Rare & Wonderfull Things (new ed.) sig. B2 The Turkes would laie vpon them as vpon Horses, and beate them in such sort, as oft times they died. c1610–15 tr. St. Ambrose Life St. Agnes in C. Horstmann Lives Women Saints (1886) 146 He layeth on her with threates. 1640 tr. G. S. du Verdier Love & Armes Greeke Princes i. x. 36 They laid upon one another with such fury, as [etc.]. 1758 O. Goldsmith tr. J. Marteilhe Mem. Protestant II. 10 Rascal! replied the Tyrant, give me the Stick; and taking it in his Hand..with the most inhuman Barbarity he laid on the unresisting Slave. 1814 R. Southey Roderick xxv Laying on the Moors with that good sword. †b. to lay to, unto: to assault, attack, press hard (literal and figurative). Also to lay home, hard, hardly to. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ society > armed hostility > attack > attack [verb (transitive)] greetc893 overfallOE riseOE assail?c1225 to lay on or upon?c1225 onseekc1275 to set on ——c1290 infighta1300 saila1300 to go upon ——c1300 to turn one's handc1325 lashc1330 annoyc1380 impugnc1384 offendc1385 to fall on ——a1387 sault1387 affrayc1390 to set upon ——1390 to fall upon ——a1398 to lay at?a1400 semblea1400 assayc1400 havec1400 aset1413 oppressa1425 attachc1425 to set at ——c1430 fraya1440 fray1465 oppugn?a1475 sayc1475 envaye1477 pursue1488 envahisshe1489 assaulta1500 to lay to, untoa1500 requirea1500 enterprise?1510 invade1513 assemblec1515 expugn1530 to fare on1535 to fall into ——1550 mount1568 attack?1576 affront1579 invest1598 canvass1599 to take arms1604 attempt1605 to make force at, to, upon1607 salute1609 offence1614 strikea1616 to give a lift at1622 to get at ——1650 insult1697 to walk into ——1794 to go in at1812 to go for ——1838 to light on ——1842 strafe1915 the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > hostile action or attack > make an attack upon [verb (transitive)] > attack with hostile words or measures fangc1320 hurtlec1374 impugnc1384 weighc1386 to fall upon ——a1398 to start on ——a1398 oppugn?1435 to lay to, untoa1500 onseta1522 wipe1523 to set against ——1542 to fall aboard——1593 aggress1596 to fall foul1602 attack1613 appugn1615 to set upon ——1639 to fall on ——1641 to lay home, hard, hardly to1650 tack1720 bombard1766 savage1796 to pitch into ——1823 to begin upon a personc1825 bulldog1842 to down on (also upon)a1848 to set at ——1849 to start on ——a1851 to start in on1859 set on at or to1862 to let into1872 to go for ——1890 swash1890 slog1891 to get at ——1893 tee1955 society > society and the community > kinship or relationship > marriage or wedlock > seeking marriage > seek in marriage [verb (transitive)] > court or woo > vigorously to lay home, hard, hardly to1581 a1500 (?c1400) Sir Triamour (Cambr.) (1937) l. 1073 All the Fosters to hym cvn lay Wyth sterne worde and mode. 1557 Bible (Whittingham) Mark xiv. 68 (note) Peter prepareth him selfe to flee if he were farther layd vnto. 1581 B. Rich Farewell Militarie Profession G iv b The Marchaunt..with greate importunitie requested her in the waie of mariage, and so hardly he laied vnto her, that [etc.]. 1603 R. Knolles Gen. Hist. Turkes 19 The war was againe begun, and the citie more hardly laid vnto than before. 1604 W. Shakespeare Hamlet iii. iv. 1 Looke you lay home to him. View more context for this quotation 1623 J. Bingham tr. Xenophon Hist. 109 At this instant they were assaulted, and hardly laid vnto vpon the hill. 1650 J. Trapp Clavis to Bible (Gen. xlii. 14) 329 He lays it hard to them still: As who should say, the longer I hear you, the worse I like you. 1720 D. Defoe Mem. Cavalier 302 I found my Major hard layed to, but fighting like a Lion. c. to lay at: to aim blows or an attack at; to strike at; to attack, assail (literal and figurative). In 15–18th centuries often in indirect passive. Now chiefly dialect. ΘΚΠ society > armed hostility > attack > attack [verb (transitive)] greetc893 overfallOE riseOE assail?c1225 to lay on or upon?c1225 onseekc1275 to set on ——c1290 infighta1300 saila1300 to go upon ——c1300 to turn one's handc1325 lashc1330 annoyc1380 impugnc1384 offendc1385 to fall on ——a1387 sault1387 affrayc1390 to set upon ——1390 to fall upon ——a1398 to lay at?a1400 semblea1400 assayc1400 havec1400 aset1413 oppressa1425 attachc1425 to set at ——c1430 fraya1440 fray1465 oppugn?a1475 sayc1475 envaye1477 pursue1488 envahisshe1489 assaulta1500 to lay to, untoa1500 requirea1500 enterprise?1510 invade1513 assemblec1515 expugn1530 to fare on1535 to fall into ——1550 mount1568 attack?1576 affront1579 invest1598 canvass1599 to take arms1604 attempt1605 to make force at, to, upon1607 salute1609 offence1614 strikea1616 to give a lift at1622 to get at ——1650 insult1697 to walk into ——1794 to go in at1812 to go for ——1838 to light on ——1842 strafe1915 the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > hostile action or attack > make an attack upon [verb (transitive)] assail?c1225 to set on ——c1290 saila1300 to turn one's handc1325 lashc1330 to set against ——c1330 impugnc1384 offendc1385 weighc1386 checka1400 to lay at?a1400 havec1400 to set at ——c1430 fraya1440 rehetea1450 besail1460 fray1465 tuilyie1487 assaulta1500 enterprise?1510 invade1513 sturt1513 attempt1546 lay1580 tilt1589 to fall aboard——1593 yoke1596 to let into1598 to fall foul1602 attack1655 do1780 to go in at1812 to pitch into ——1823 tackle1828 vampire1832 bushwhack1837 to go for ——1838 take1864 pile1867 volcano1867 to set about ——1879 vampirize1888 to get stuck into1910 to take to ——1911 weigh1941 rugby-tackle1967 rugger-tackle1967 the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > hostile action or attack > make an attack upon [verb (transitive)] > attack (of hostile agency) besetOE infighta1300 saila1300 seeka1300 visitc1340 beclipc1380 entainc1380 seizec1381 offendc1385 affectc1425 rehetea1450 take1483 attaintc1534 prevent1535 attach1541 attempt1546 affront1579 buffeta1593 to get at ——1650 assault1667 insult1697 to lay at1899 ?a1400 Arth. & Merl. 2464 (Kölbing) A 100 Sarazens..All att once att him layd. 1440 J. Shirley Cron. Dethe James Stewarde (1818) 16 The traitours..laid at the chaumbur dors..with levours and with axes. 1548 N. Udall et al. tr. Erasmus Paraphr. Newe Test. I. Matt. xii. 74 I am layed at with deadly deceytes. 1561 T. Hoby tr. B. Castiglione Courtyer iv. sig. Uv.ii The beautiful women haue alwaies more suyters, and be more instantlye laide at in loue [It. sono piu..sollicitate d'amor], then the foule. 1579 E. Spenser Shepheardes Cal. Feb. 214 Fiercely the good man at him did laye. 1600 P. Holland tr. Livy Rom. Hist. v. xxiv. 196 The..Senators..came forth to the multitude, and offered themselves to be laid at, smitten and slaine. 1611 Bible (King James) Job xli. 26 The sword of him that layeth at him cannot hold. View more context for this quotation 1719 D. Defoe Farther Adventures Robinson Crusoe 110 Our Men being thus hard laid at, Atkins wounded. 1728 A. Ramsay Poems II. 181 Even Beauty guards in vain; he lays at a'. 1876 Surrey Gloss. The rabbits have laid at that wheat unaccountably. 1899 Expositor Jan. 54 The lie lays at the truth and the Truth must lay at the lie. d. to lay into: to belabour; to ‘pitch into’. slang or colloquial. ΘΚΠ the world > movement > impact > striking > beating or repeated striking > beat [verb (transitive)] > specifically a person to-beatc893 threshOE bustc1225 to lay on or upon?c1225 berrya1250 to-bunea1250 touchc1330 arrayc1380 byfrapc1380 boxc1390 swinga1400 forbeatc1420 peal?a1425 routa1425 noddlea1450 forslinger1481 wipe1523 trima1529 baste1533 waulk1533 slip1535 peppera1550 bethwack1555 kembc1566 to beat (a person) black and blue1568 beswinge1568 paik1568 trounce1568 canvass1573 swaddle?1577 bebaste1582 besoop1589 bumfeage1589 dry-beat1589 feague1589 lamback1589 clapperclaw1590 thrash1593 belam1595 lam1595 beswaddle1598 bumfeagle1598 belabour1600 tew1600 flesh-baste1611 dust1612 feeze1612 mill1612 verberate1614 bethumpa1616 rebuke1619 bemaul1620 tabor1624 maula1627 batterfang1630 dry-baste1630 lambaste1637 thunder-thump1637 cullis1639 dry-banga1640 nuddle1640 sauce1651 feak1652 cotton1654 fustigate1656 brush1665 squab1668 raddle1677 to tan (a person's) hide1679 slam1691 bebump1694 to give (a person) his load1694 fag1699 towel1705 to kick a person's butt1741 fum1790 devel1807 bray1808 to beat (also scare, etc.) someone's daylights out1813 mug1818 to knock (a person) into the middle of next week1821 welt1823 hidea1825 slate1825 targe1825 wallop1825 pounce1827 to lay into1838 flake1841 muzzle1843 paste1846 looder1850 frail1851 snake1859 fettle1863 to do over1866 jacket1875 to knock seven kinds of —— out of (a person)1877 to take apart1880 splatter1881 to beat (knock, etc.) the tar out of1884 to —— the shit out of (a person or thing)1886 to do up1887 to —— (the) hell out of1887 to beat — bells out of a person1890 soak1892 to punch out1893 stoush1893 to work over1903 to beat up1907 to punch up1907 cream1929 shellac1930 to —— the bejesus out of (a person or thing)1931 duff1943 clobber1944 to fill in1948 to bash up1954 to —— seven shades of —— out of (a person or thing)1976 to —— seven shades out of (a person or thing)1983 beast1990 becurry- fan- the world > action or operation > manner of action > vigour or energy > carry on vigorously [verb (transitive)] > apply oneself to vigorously to stand to ——?a1400 to shove at1542 to fall upon ——1617 to work awaya1635 to fall aboard1642 to fall on ——1650 to go at ——1675 to pitch into ——1823 to lay into1880 to be (also go) at the ——1898 to sail in1936 1838 D. Jerrold J. Applejohn in Men of Char. xiii I shall be very happy..to go and hold the door, while you lay into the ruffian. 1864 C. Dickens Our Mutual Friend (1865) I. i. iv. 32 Laying into me with your little bonnet. 1880 ‘M. Twain’ Tramp Abroad iii. 40 He [sc. a bird] laid into his work like a nigger. 1887 G. R. Sims Mary Jane's Mem. 108 She would lay into Master John with her stick. e. to lay about one: to deal violent and repeated blows on all sides; occasionally (trans.) to lay (a weapon) about one. Hence figurative to act vigorously, make strenuous efforts, do one's utmost. ΘΚΠ society > armed hostility > military equipment > operation and use of weapons > stroke with weapon > strike (of weapon) [verb (intransitive)] > strike with a weapon > on all sides to lay about onea1500 to lay about1609 to strike out1859 the world > action or operation > manner of action > effort or exertion > exert oneself or make an effort [verb (intransitive)] > make strenuous efforts to lay about one1631 society > armed hostility > military equipment > operation and use of weapons > stroke with weapon > strike with a weapon [verb (transitive)] > strike with on all sides to lay about one1889 a1500 (?a1400) Sir Torrent of Portyngale (1887) l. 1036 Fast he leyd hym a-bowte All þat somyrres nyght. 1596 E. Spenser Second Pt. Faerie Queene iv. iv. sig. D7 And with his brondiron round about him layd. View more context for this quotation a1618 J. Sylvester Sonn. xvi, in Wks. (1880) II. 39 When like a Lion to preserve her yong, Thou laydst about thee to redeeme the same. 1631 R. Bolton Instr. Right Comf. Affl. Consciences 49 Thou, that now laies about the for thee world and wealth. 1674 in O. Airy Essex Papers (1890) I. 279 He lays about him on all hands where there is any the least project of gaine. 1690 J. Locke Ess. Humane Understanding iii. v. 208 Those words, with which they are so armed at all points, and with which they so confidently lay about them. 1699 A. Boyer Royal Dict. (at cited word) To lay about one's self..Faire tous les efforts, remuër ciel et terre. 1720 D. Manley Power of Love i. 55 How they laid about them to commend your Soul to God. 1837 B. Disraeli Venetia II. 364 They laid about them with their staves. 1889 A. Conan Doyle Micah Clarke xxxii. 353 We cut a way to his rescue, and laid our swords about us. †33. impersonal. Of the wind, weather: To be violent. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > the earth > weather and the atmosphere > weather > bad weather > [verb (intransitive)] > storm or be stormy storm14.. tempest1477 lay1572 1572 (a1500) Taill of Rauf Coilȝear (1882) 139 Sa troublit with stormis was I neuer stad; Of ilk airt of the Eist sa laithly it laid. 1825 J. Jamieson Etymol. Dict. Sc. Lang. Suppl. To Lay On, to rain, to hail, to snow, heavily; as, ‘It's layin' on o' snaw’.] †34. To strike, beat (a person) on the face, over the head, etc. to lay on the lips: to kiss. Obsolete.In these uses the personal object is probably to be regarded as a dative. ΘΚΠ the mind > emotion > love > kiss > [verb (transitive)] kissc900 reachOE bassc1500 to lay on the lips1530 bussa1566 swap1577 smouch1588 lip1605 bause1607 suaviate1650 to pree a person's mouth1724 accolade1843 to give (someone) onec1882 to give (a person) some sugar1921 steups1967 the world > movement > impact > striking > striking on specific part of the body > strike on specific part of body [verb (transitive)] lay1530 catch1583 1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 602/2 I lay hym on the face... I layde hym betweene the necke and the shoulders that I made hym grone. 1602 J. Marston Hist. Antonio & Mellida ii. sig. D2 Faith, sweet, ile lay thee on the lips for that iest. a1627 T. Middleton & W. Rowley Old Law (1656) ii. 26 Ile lay you o'th lips and leave you. 1628 J. Earle Micro-cosmogr. xviii. sig. D8 Being once laid ore the shoulder with a Knighthood. 1690 W. Walker Idiomatologia Anglo-Lat. 228 He laid him over the face with his hands as hard as he could strike. 1712 J. Arbuthnot John Bull Still in Senses v. 20 The Cook laid them over the Pate with a ladle. VI. To dispose or arrange in proper relative position over a surface. 35. a. transitive. To place in the proper or designed position (something that extends horizontally, e.g. a foundation (often figurative), a floor, stones or bricks in building, etc.). ΘΚΠ the world > space > relative position > horizontal position or condition > place in horizontal position [verb (transitive)] > lay flat on something > in proper position layc1000 c1000 West Saxon Gospels: Luke (Corpus Cambr.) xiv. 29 Syððan he þæne grund~weall legð [c1160 Hatton Gosp. leigð]. 1340–70 Alex. & Dind. 438 To legge lym oþur ston. c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) (1850) Heb. vi. 1 Not eftsoone leggynge the foundament of penaunce fro deede werkis. a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Trin. Cambr.) l. 13285 At þe see Iame & Ion he fonde As þei were lynes leyond. c1400 Rom. Rose 4149 Aboute him lefte he no masoun, That stoon coude leye, ne querrour. c1425 J. Lydgate Assembly of Gods 596 All the baytys that ye for hym haue leyde. 1495 Act 11 Hen. VII c. 23 The same herynges shuld be wele truly and justly leyed and packed. 1526 Bible (Tyndale) Heb. i. 10 Thou lorde in the begynnynge hast layde the foundacion of the erth. 1576 A. Fleming tr. Hippocrates in Panoplie Epist. 283 They lay traines of treason to overthrow their princes. 1644 K. Digby Two Treat. i. x. 76 Proceeding vpon our groundes before layed. 1662 B. Gerbier Brief Disc. Princ. Building 33 Paviors (after the Bricks are laid) throw sharp Sand over them. 1680 J. Moxon Mech. Exercises I. xii. 217 You may begin at the Verge, and so lay several Grooves close by one another till you come to the Center. 1751 C. Labelye Descr. Westm. Bridge 71 The laying the Foundation of Stone-Piers. 1800 M. Edgeworth Castle Rackrent 44 She laid the corner stone of all her future misfortunes at that very instant. 1817 J. Mill Hist. Brit. India II. v. viii. 651 The political conduct of the Governor-General lays sufficient ground for the presumption that [etc.]. 1823 P. Nicholson New Pract. Builder 263 When you lay your floors, let the joints be fitted and tacked down. 1840 R. H. Dana Two Years before Mast xxxiii. 125 From the time her keel was laid, she had never been so driven. 1842 J. Gwilt Encycl. Archit. ii. ii. 501 Slating is sometimes laid lozengewise. 1845 Jrnl. Royal Agric. Soc. 6 ii. 266 The ordinary mode of farming is to lay the ground in ridges. 1848 Chambers's Information for People (new ed.) I. 489/1 That manner of ploughing and laying the ridges..which will best keep the land dry. 1890 Cornhill Mag. Sept. 270 The first submarine cable was laid. b. To set out (a table), to spread (the cloth), place in order (the plates, dishes, knives and forks, etc.) in preparation for a meal; hence, in later use, to set out the table for (a meal). Also absol. †Also, to prepare (a bed). ΘΚΠ the world > food and drink > food > setting table > [verb (transitive)] layc1300 spreadc1300 setc1386 servec1405 cover1563 to lay in1788 lie1809 fix1842 the world > action or operation > undertaking > preparation > prepare [verb (transitive)] > prepare or put in order > specifically a bed makec1300 strawa1400 laya1616 strew1810 c1300 Havelok (Laud) (1868) 1722 Þanne [he] were set, and bord leyd. c1330 Arth. & Merl. 6508 (Kölbing) Þese weschen þis gentil man & leyd tables after þan. 1487 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (St. John's Cambr.) v. 388 The met all reddy grathit, Vith burdis set and clathis laid [1489 Adv. layit]. 1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 603/1 Lay the table, for we must dyne in al the haste. a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 2 (1623) iii. ii. 11 Haue you layd faire the Bed? View more context for this quotation 1669 S. Pepys Diary 8 Jan. (1976) IX. 410 Home to my wife's chamber, my people having laid the cloth and got the rooms all clean. 1788 C. Reeve Exiles III. 110 I made the servant lay his bed in order. 1797 A. M. Bennett Beggar Girl I. viii. 257 When the cloth was laying for supper. 1836 F. Marryat Japhet III. xxiv. 307 I found that the table was laid for three. 1847 W. M. Thackeray Vanity Fair (1848) xiv. 115 A little dinner..was laid in the dining-room. 1861 C. Dickens Great Expectations I. iv. 47 We found the table laid,..the dinner dressing. 1883 W. Black Shandon Bells xviii The little maidservant..laid the cloth. 1890 S. J. Weyman House of Wolf iv These gentlemen will not sup with me..Lay for them at the other end. c. To trace (a ground-plan). ΘΚΠ society > occupation and work > industry > building or constructing > building or providing with specific parts > build or provide with specific parts [verb (transitive)] > lay foundations grounda1300 foundc1330 groundsel1486 lay1594 1594 C. Marlowe & T. Nashe Dido v When I was laying a platform for these walls. 1601 P. Holland tr. Pliny Hist. World I. 99 Danochares the Architect laid the modell and platforme therof [sc. of Alexandria] by a subtil and witty deuise. 1615 G. Sandys Relation of Journey 29 It is reported that when the workmen began to lay the platforme at Chalcedon, how certain Eagles conueyed their lines to the other side of the Streight. d. †(a) to lay a buck: to put clothes in soak for washing (obsolete). (b) to lay leaven (see quot. 1891).[Possibly confused (a) with some derivative of lye n.¹, and (b) with lay v.², allay v.¹; but this is uncertain.] ΘΚΠ the world > physical sensation > cleanness and dirtiness > cleaning > washing > washing clothes and textile articles > wash clothes [verb (intransitive)] > by steeping or boiling to lay a buck1570 to lay the buck1570 to drive the buck1648 1570 T. Tusser Hundreth Good Pointes Husbandry (new ed.) f. 29 Maides .iii. a clock, knede, lay your bucks or go brew. 1611 R. Cotgrave Dict. French & Eng. Tongues at Faire Faire la buée, to lay, or wash a bucke. 1633 D. Rogers Treat. Two Sacraments Gospell i. 42 Shee that cannot lay a leaven, but thinkes of the kingdome of Christ. 1891 S. O. Addy Suppl. Gloss. Words Sheffield Lay, to mix; only used in the phrase ‘to lay leaven’, i.e. to mix the yeast with oat-meal in making oat-cake. 1893 R. O. Heslop Northumberland Words Lay, to mix dough for bread making. ‘Lay the breed’—to mix the flour with the yeast, to make the dough. e. to lay a fire: to place the fuel ready for lighting. ΘΚΠ the world > matter > properties of materials > temperature > heat > burning > burn or consume by fire [verb (transitive)] > make a fire beetc885 make?a1200 to make on1487 to fire up1836 to lay a fire1876 1876 W. S. Jevons Logic Primer 10 If one fire be laid and lighted exactly like another, it ought to burn like it. 1886 W. Besant Children of Gibeon I. ii. i. 244 The fire was laid..with the resinous wheels, which burn fiercely. f. Printing. to lay type: ‘to put new sorts in cases’ (Jacobi Printers' Voc. 1888). Also, to lay the case. ΚΠ 1683 J. Moxon Mech. Exercises II. 200 The manner how the several sorts of Letters are disposed in the several Boxes, is called, Laying of the Case. 1808 C. Stower Printer's Gram. vi. 151 Laying of Cases. This implies filling them with sorts of a new fount of letter. 36. To re-steel (a cutting instrument). dialect. ΘΚΠ society > occupation and work > industry > working with specific materials > working with metal > work with metal [verb (transitive)] > coat or cover with metal > with specific metal tin1398 leadc1440 ironc1450 lay1472 copper1530 braze1552 silverize1605 foliate1665 plate1686 whiten1687 foil1714 blanch1729 quicken1738 amalgam1789 quick1790 aluminize1791 plate1791 zincify1801 platinize1825 resilver1832 galvanize1839 electroplate1843 zinc1843 electro-silver1851 platinate1858 electrotin1859 white-lead1863 palladiumize1864 white-metal1864 brassc1865 nickelize1865 nickel-plate1872 nickel1875 stopper1884 electro1891 sherardize1904 steel1911 stellite1934 flame-plate1954 steel-face1961 1472–3 in J. T. Fowler Extracts Acct. Rolls Abbey of Durham (1901) III. 644 Pro le laynge fusi et rynde molendini. 1475–6 in J. T. Fowler Extracts Acct. Rolls Abbey of Durham (1898) I. 95 Et sol. eidem pro le laynge ij axes, 6d. 1605 in J. Barmby Churchwardens' Accts. Pittington (1888) 55 For layinge the church hack with new iron, viijd. 1620 in H. J. F. Swayne Churchwardens' Accts. Sarum (1896) 172 For Layinge the pickax 1s. 8d. 1893 G. E. Dartnell & E. H. Goddard Gloss. Words Wilts. To lay a tool, to steel its edge afresh. 1893 R. O. Heslop Northumberland Words When a plough kooter..becomes worn, it is necessary..to wall (weld) a piece of iron on to it. This is called..‘layin a kooter’. 37. Rope-making. a. To twist yarn to form (a strand), or strands to form (a rope). ΘΚΠ society > occupation and work > industry > manufacturing processes > rope-making > make rope [verb (transitive)] > other specific processes lay1486 throw?c1625 register1793 re-lay1804 warp1815 to lay upc1860 tube1863 wimble1874 strand1886 fluff1892 1486 in M. Oppenheim Naval Accts. & Inventories Henry VII (1896) 13 The..openyng and newe leying of old Ropes. 1627 J. Smith Sea Gram. vii. 30 If the Cable bee well made, we say it is well laid. 1726 G. Shelvocke Voy. round World vii. 240 Those who were ashore made twice lay'd stuff for rigging. 1793 J. Smeaton Narr. Edystone Lighthouse (ed. 2) §281 A bridle cable was laid perfectly pliant. 1839 A. Ure Dict. Arts 1070 The last part of the process of rope-making, is to lay the cordage. 1853 A. Ure Dict. Arts (ed. 4) II. 560 The manner of laying the yarns into ropes. b. intransitive said of the rope. ΚΠ 1796 Encycl. Brit. (Dublin ed.) XVI. 485/1 Then..the top comes away from the swivel..and the line begins to lay. 38. a. transitive. In immaterial sense: To fix the outlines of, arrange, devise (a plan, plot, scheme); †to establish (a law), settle, lay down (a principle); †to draw up the plan of (a literary composition). to lay one's account: see account n. Phrases 2d. ΘΚΠ society > law > legislation > make (laws) or establish as law [verb (transitive)] setc893 lawa1023 makeOE lay11.. stablishc1405 constitue1489 constitute1535 the mind > will > intention > planning > plan [verb (transitive)] > devise (a plan) lay11.. compound1520 draw?c1550 hammer1582 society > leisure > the arts > literature > art or occupation of writer or author > be the author of or write (a work) [verb (transitive)] > draw up plan of composition laya1616 skeletonize1865 skeleton1880 11.. Anglo-Saxon Chron. anno 1086 (Laud) He sætte mycel deorfrið & he lægde laga þærwið. c1430 Freemasonry 449 Suche ordynance at the semblé was layd. a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 1 (1623) ii. iii. 4 The Plot is layd . View more context for this quotation 1616 B. Jonson Epigrammes cxii, in Wks. I. 805 I cannot for the stage a Drama lay, Tragick or Comick. 1644 J. Milton tr. M. Bucer Ivdgem. conc. Divorce 14 If we retain our principles already laid. 1692 R. L'Estrange Life Æsop in Fables (1708) 8 Several Little Tales and Jests that I take to be neither well Laid, nor well put together. 1701 W. Wotton Hist. Rome v. 83 His Design had been long laid. a1715 Bp. G. Burnet Hist. Own Time (1724) I. 401 The argument for it was laid thus. 1838 C. Thirlwall Hist. Greece (new ed.) II. xi. 56 His schemes also were more artfully laid. 1880 Libr. Universal Knowl. VIII. 381 When the conspiracy was laid to put Jesus to death. †b. gen. To contrive, arrange. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > will > intention > planning > plan [verb (transitive)] forethinkc897 bethinka1225 compass1297 contrivec1330 ordain1340 conjectc1380 imaginec1380 cast1382 ordaina1387 advisec1400 forecast1413 imagec1450 ordainc1450 project1477 foreminda1535 invent1539 aimc1540 practise1550 plat1556 trive1573 meditate1582 patterna1586 plot1589 platform1592 design1594 chew1600 forelay1605 to map out1618 to cut out1619 agitate1629 laya1631 plod1631 cut1645 calculate1654 concert1702 to scheme out1716 plan1718 model1725 to rough out1738 to lay out1741 plan1755 prethink1760 shape1823 programme1834 pre-plan1847 encompass1882 target1948 a1631 J. Donne Serm. (1956) VIII. 154 God had laid it so, that Moses should be setled this way. a1677 I. Barrow Wks. (1716) I. 62 Is it not great imprudence so to lay our business that any other matter shall thwart or thrust out devotion? 1712 J. Arbuthnot App. to John Bull Still in Senses ii. 13 We have laid it so, that he is to be in the next Room. c. intransitive †To make arrangements or plans for (obsolete); to plan, contrive, or intend to do something (now dialect and U.S.). (Cf. to lay out at Phrasal verbs.) ΘΚΠ the mind > will > intention > planning > plan [verb] > plan to do something lay1573 plota1586 to cast aboutc1590 to put into (also in) practice1592 plat1596 project1600 to lay abouta1618 to lay out1651 plan1718 c1450 Mirour Saluacioun 2058 Saul laide for his dethe als for hys mortale enemy. 1573 T. Tusser Fiue Hundreth Points Good Husbandry (new ed.) f. 65 Lay you to saue.., and then you shall enriched bee. 1587 Sir P. Sidney & A. Golding tr. P. de Mornay Trewnesse Christian Relig. xiv. 238 Mans mynd can skill..to lay earnestly for warre in seeking or inioying of peace. 1587 Sir P. Sidney & A. Golding tr. Ovid's Met. xii. 277 And what is wrought in all the world he leaies to vnderstand. 1601 P. Holland tr. Pliny Hist. World I. 413 Men loue rather to haue plenty from their vines, than other~wise lay for the goodnesse thereof. 1633 Bp. J. Hall Plaine Explic. Hard Texts ii. 11 If hee lay to please the one, the other will be offended. 1648 E. Symmons Vindic. King Charles (new ed.) 113 Mahomet layed to perpetuate his religion by introducing of ignorance, [etc.]. a1825 R. Forby Vocab. E. Anglia (1830) Lay, to intend, to lay out, to lay a plan. Ex. ‘I lay to plough for turnips tomorrow’. 1896 Boston (Mass.) Jrnl. 3 Dec. 4/3 Fitzsimmons evidently laying to get in right on jaw. 39. †a. In Old English: To direct (one's steps). b. Nautical. to lay one's (or a) course: see quots. 1867, 1881. ΘΚΠ society > travel > travel by water > directing or managing a ship > direct or manage ship [verb (intransitive)] > head in a certain course or direction > make desired course to lie the course1574 to lay one's (or a) course1669 OE Genesis 2402 Lastas legdon..oðþæt hie on Sodoman, weallsteape burg, wlitan meahton. 1669 S. Sturmy Mariners Mag. i. 18 The Wind will be Northerly, make ready to go about; we shall lay our Course another way. 1793 Rennell in Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 83 190 We were driven to the north of Scilly; and were barely able to lay a course through the passage between those islands and the Land's End. 1867 W. H. Smyth & E. Belcher Sailor's Word-bk. To lay her course, to be able to sail in the direction wished for, however barely the wind permits it. 1881 L. R. Hamersly Naval Encycl. (at cited word) A ship lays her course when being close-hauled, the wind permits the desired course to be steered. 1890 W. F. Rae Maygrove III. ix. 307 The steamer's course was laid for Michipicoten. †c. To apply or devote (one's power, affection, possessions) to. Also const. into. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > advantage > usefulness > use (made of things) > use or make use of [verb (transitive)] > use for specific purpose bestowc1315 lay1340 putc1390 apply1395 usea1398 applicate?a1425 deputec1425 explay1552 employ1553 consecrate1555 implya1625 sacrate1653 consign1700 devote1703 to give up1885 1340–70 Alisaunder 203 He had his liking ilaide þat Ladie too wedde. a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 26294 If..þou haf oft-sith laid might His wrangwis liuelade for to right. a1400 in Eng. Gilds (1870) 357 Ȝif eny good man of þe town leiþ his good to þe commune nede of þe town. 1628 O. Felltham Resolves: 2nd Cent. i. sig. H Hee:..Layes his heart into pleasures, and forgets the future. †40. To set down in writing; to put into, express or ‘couch’ in (certain language or terms). Obsolete. ΘΚΠ society > communication > writing > [verb (transitive)] > set down in writing adighteOE to set on writea900 dightc1000 writeOE brevea1225 layc1330 indite1340 take1418 annote1449 printa1450 scribe1465 redact?a1475 reduce1485 letter1504 recite1523 to commit to writing (also paper)1529 pen1530 reduce?1533 token up1535 scripture1540 titulea1550 to set down1562 quote1573 to put down1574 paper1594 to write down1594 apprehend1611 fix1630 exarate1656 depose1668 put1910 society > leisure > the arts > literature > style of language or writing > express in a specific style [verb (transitive)] > express in particular terms layc1330 setc1460 couch1529 terma1535 phrase1556 put1571 shape1589 word1602 c1330 Arth. & Merl. 1288 (Kölbing) Merlin to Blasi þer meche seyd, Þat Blasi al in writt leyd. c1330 R. Mannyng Chron. Wace (Rolls) 184 Als Geffrey in latyn sayd So Mayster Wace in frankis layd. c1385 G. Chaucer Legend Good Women Phyllis. 2506 Hir lettre..here & there in Ryme I haue it laide. ?a1400 Arth. & Merl. (Douce) 1792 (Kölbing) In þe Bruyt he hit layde. a1631 J. Donne Serm. (1958) IX. 70 The phrase..is thus conceived, and laid, in our Image, and then after our likenesse. 1682 J. Bunyan Holy War 215 [The Charter] fairly engraven upon the doors thereof, and laid in Letters of Gold. View more context for this quotation 1714 R. Steele Lover No. 27 (1723) 160 They..carry a secret Instruction, in that they lay the Sense of the Author still closer in Words of his own. 1736 G. Jacob New Law-dict. (ed. 3) at Writ In all Writs Care is to be taken, that they be laid and form'd according to the Cause or Ground of them. 41. Art. a. To put upon a surface in layers; to put or arrange (colours, †a picture) on canvas. ΘΚΠ society > leisure > the arts > visual arts > painting and drawing > painting > art of colouring > colour [verb (transitive)] > lay on a colour limn1548 lay1574 work1885 1574 J. Baret Aluearie L 54 To laie colour on a picture. 1609 W. Shakespeare Sonnets ci. sig. G2 Truth needs no collour with his collour fixt, Beautie no pensell, beauties truth to lay. 1671 J. Milton Paradise Regain'd iv. 340 Their swelling Epithetes thick laid As varnish on a Harlots cheek. View more context for this quotation 1690 J. Locke Ess. Humane Understanding ii. x. 66 The Pictures drawn in our Minds, are laid in fading Colours. 1719 A. Boyer Royal Dict. (rev. ed.) (at cited word) To lay the Colours deep (in Painting), empater. 1781 W. Cowper Retirem. 798 To teach the canvas innocent deceit, Or lay the landscape on the snowy sheet. 1859 J. Ruskin Two Paths App. iv. 261 In every given touch [of colour] laid on canvas. 1859 J. Ruskin Two Paths App. iv. 262 The refinement of work consists not in laying absolutely little colour, but in always laying precisely the right quantity. b. to lay a ground: to spread a coating over a surface, as a basis for colours. So in Photography, to lay the grain. ΘΚΠ society > leisure > the arts > visual arts > painting and drawing > painting > art of colouring > colour [phrase] > lay on preparatory to lay a ground1782 1782 H. Walpole Vertue's Anecd. Painting (ed. 3) V. 141 Blooteling..found out the application of the chisel for laying grounds, which much exceeded the roller. 1839 Penny Cycl. XIII. 94/2 Three processes are usually required in japanning; laying the ground, painting, and finishing. 1854 J. Scoffern in Orr's Circ. Sc., Chem. 90 The last [stage], technically called ‘laying the grain’, must be effected by hand. It consists in rubbing the surface of the plate in one direction, by means of a buffer. 42. To cover, spread, or coat (with something), esp. by way of ornament (as in embroidery). ΘΚΠ the world > space > relative position > condition of being external > covering > coating or covering with a layer > coat or cover with a layer [verb (transitive)] lay?a1366 overlaya1400 coverc1400 sheeta1616 glidder1631 candy1639 face1648 to do over1700 coat1753 candify1777 bed1839 to lay down1839 overcoat1861 society > leisure > the arts > visual arts > ornamental art and craft > fashion with artistic skill or decoration [verb (transitive)] > cover with ornamental work fret1340 lay?a1366 overfretc1440 to work over1542 parget1576 encrust1641 incrustate1728 ?a1366 Romaunt Rose 1076 A robe of purpre..it ful wel With orfrays leyd was everydel. c1400 Siege of Troy 135 (Harl. 525) in Archiv f. das Studium der Neueren Sprachen 72 15 There were sheldis gylt and leyd wyth ynde. c1440 Anc. Cookery in Coll. Ordinances Royal Househ. (1790) 433 Take a faire urthen pot, and lay hit well with splentes in the bothum, that the flessh neigh hit not. 1562–3 in R. Willis & J. W. Clark Archit. Hist. Univ. Cambr. (1886) III. 296 To the Painter for leyinge the Irons of the greate Postes in oyle and red leade iij^s. 1578 H. Lyte tr. R. Dodoens Niewe Herball i. xix. 29 Softe wollie leaves, as it were layde with a certayne downe or fine cotton. 1603 R. Knolles Gen. Hist. Turkes 832 Short cloakes layed with siluer lace. 1663 B. Gerbier Counsel to Builders 80 Lathed and laid with Lime and haire. 1820 W. Scott Monastery I. iii. 119 She is convent-bred, and can lay silk broidery. 1879 E. Arnold Light of Asia 34 Black steel, Laid with gold tendrils. 1889 J. A. Froude Two Chiefs Dunboy xxvi. 399 They..dug a pit, and laid the bottom of it with thorns. 1891 Chambers's Jrnl. 5 Dec. 770/1 My bath-room is..a part of the veranda laid with zinc. VII. Intransitive uses corresponding with lie v.¹ 4. 43. a. In intransitive uses, coinciding with or resembling those of lie v.¹ 4.In the earliest examples the verb appears to be intransitive for reflexive or passive. Now (except in Nautical language, see 43b) it is only dialectal or an illiterate substitute for lie, its identity of form with the past tense of the latter no doubt accounting largely for the confusion. In the 17th and 18th centuries, it was not apparently regarded as a solecism. (For lay in wait see wait n.; for to lay low see low adj. and n.² Phrases 2.) ΘΚΠ society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabiting temporarily > [verb (intransitive)] liec1000 harbourc1200 sojournc1290 layc1300 sojourc1330 to make, take (up) one's lodging1362 pilgrimagea1382 bield?a1400 lodgec1400 tarryc1400 to make (one's) residence1433 harbingec1475 harbry1513 stay1554 roost?1555 embower1591 quarter1591 leaguer1596 allodge1601 tenta1616 visit1626 billet1628 to lie abroad1650 tabernacle1653 sojourney1657 canton1697 stop1797 to shake down1858 to hole up1875 perendinate1886 shack1935 cotch1950 the world > life > death > [verb (intransitive)] > be dead sleepc950 restOE liea1000 to be deadc1000 to lie lowa1275 layc1300 to be gathered to one's fathersa1382 to be gathered to one's fathers1382 to sup with our Saviour, with Our (the) Lord, with (Jesus) Christa1400 repose1586 slumber1594 to sup in heaven or hell1642 to turn one's toes up to the daisies1842 to be out of the way1881 to push up daisiesa1918 to have had it1942 RIP1962 the world > space > relative position > horizontal position or condition > be placed horizontally [verb (intransitive)] liec1000 layc1300 the world > space > relative position > posture > action or fact of lying down or reclining > lie down or recline [verb (intransitive)] leanc950 resteOE liec1000 to be laidc1175 layc1300 to lie along1530 recline1578 to horizontalize it1843 recumb1906 cwtch1921 the world > physical sensation > sleeping and waking > sleep > bed related to sleep or rest > go to bed or retire to rest [verb (intransitive)] > be in bed or lie liec1290 layc1300 couchc1380 the world > action or operation > difficulty > hindrance > types or manners of hindrance > hinder in specific manner [verb (transitive)] > encumber > burden charka1300 chargec1308 cark1330 liea1400 labour1437 onerate1453 endossa1500 onera1500 laden1514 load1526 aggravate1530 lay1530 honorate1533 ladea1538 burden1541 ballast1566 loaden1568 degravate1574 aburden1620 pregravate1654 comble1672 the world > physical sensation > sleeping and waking > sleep > bed related to sleep or rest > go to bed or retire to rest [verb (intransitive)] to go to (one's) resteOE to take (one's) restc1175 to go to bedc1275 to lie downc1275 reposec1485 down-lie1505 bed1635 to turn in1695 retire1696 lay1768 to go to roost1829 to turn or peak the flukes1851 kip1889 doss1896 to hit the hay1912 to hit the deck1918 to go down1922 to bunk down1940 to hit the sack1943 to sack out1946 to sack down1956 c1300 Harrow. Hell 147 Sathanas, y bynde the, her shalt thou lay. O that come domesday. 13.. Sir Beues 2643 (MS. A.) Þar he schel leggen ay, Til hit come domes dai. a1400 in Eng. Gilds (1870) 363 Þ^t no man ne legge in lond ne in tenement..þe whyle þe suquestre ys þare set. c1420 Chron. Vilod. (Horstm.) 3340 Þe chest..In þe whyche þis blessud virgyn leyth y-closot inne. 1490 Caxton's Blanchardyn & Eglantine (1962) li. 195 His cheff standarde ouer thrawen and layng vpon the grounde. 1498 Will of Raufe Woodforde (P.R.O.: PROB. 11/11) f. 183^v Where my wif legges. 1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 605/2 It leyeth on my herte. I tell you as it lyeth on my herte. 1625 F. Bacon Ess. (new ed.) 229 Nature will lay buried a great Time, and yet reuiue. 1628 J. Earle Micro-cosmogr. xxxiii. sig. F11 Some..Folio, which..hath laid open in the same Page this halfe yeere. 1662 J. Strype in H. Ellis Orig. Lett. Eminent Literary Men (1843) (Camden) 179 At my first Coming, I laid alone. 1665 A. Wood Life & Times (1892) II. 46 The lady of Castlemaine's two children began to lay at our house. 1665 A. Wood Life & Times (1892) II. 56 The books..layd upon the booksellours' hands. 1736 Bp. J. Butler Analogy of Relig. ii. vi. 231 The general Proof of natural Religion..does, I think, lay Level to common Men. 1749 H. Fielding Tom Jones I. i. vi. 29 The flame, which had before lain in embrio, now burst forth. View more context for this quotation 1768 A. Tucker Light of Nature Pursued II. iii. 531 We are capable of laying down upon the chart of our imagiation. 1794 J. Bidlake Poems 4 She..on the ground, to catch each sound would lay. 1818 Ld. Byron Childe Harold: Canto IV clxxx. 93 Thou..dashest him again to earth:—there let him lay. 1828 J. Raine St. Cuthbert 78 They found the venerable body..laying on its right side. 1890 Daily News 13 Oct. 7/1 A large Danish boarhound..knocked a little boy..down, laid on him, and bit him over the eye. 1900 ‘F. Anstey’ Brass Bottle vi. 80 ‘They're all layin' down on the road opposite our door.’ b. Nautical. To put oneself in the position indicated by the accompanying phrase or adverb, e.g. to lay at anchor, to lay by the wind. (See also to lay along, to lay by, to lay in, to lay out at Phrasal verbs, etc.) to lay on the oars, to cease rowing. ΘΚΠ society > travel > travel by water > berthing, mooring, or anchoring > berth, moor, or anchor [verb (intransitive)] > anchor > lie at anchor standOE ridec1300 to lay at anchor1530 hove?c1550 society > travel > travel by water > propelling boat by oars, paddle, or pole > [verb (intransitive)] > row > slacken speed or stop to lay on the oars1830 easy1852 ease1863 unrow1898 1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 605/1 I ley at anker, as a shyppe dothe, je ancre. 1549 King Edward VI Jrnl. (Roxb.) II. 227 Thei laying at anker bett the French. 1670 T. S. & A. Roberts Adventures Eng. Merchant 8 He commanded to lay by the Wind, until the Ships came within Call. 1830 F. Marryat King's Own III. vi. 126 The boats laid upon their oars. 1881 L. R. Hamersly Naval Encycl. (at cited word) To lay is used (although incorrectly) in the sense of to go or come; as lay forward, lay aft, lay down from aloft, lay out on the yards, etc. 1894 C. N. Robinson Brit. Fleet 181 Captains are saluted by laying on the oars (in other words ceasing to row). Phrasal verbs With adverbs in specialized uses. to lay about †1. transitive. To surround, beset. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > hostile action or attack > make an attack upon [verb (transitive)] > on all sides lapc1330 to lay about14.. besetc1520 beleaguer?1589 the world > space > relative position > condition of being external > surrounding > surround or lie around [verb (transitive)] > in hostile or harmful manner beset?c1225 lapc1330 to lay about14.. underset1488 to fetch in1565 bestad1579 14.. Arth. & Merl. (Percy MS.) 2452 (Kölbing) A 100 Sarazens on a rowte Att once layd him all about. 1555 J. Proctor Hist. Wyates Rebell. 33 b The lorde Aburgaueny and the shiriffe..deuised to laye the countree aboute, that they [Wyat and others] mought not escape. †2. intransitive. To contrive, plan, take measures (to do something); to look out or make a search for. ΘΚΠ the mind > will > intention > planning > plan [verb] > plan to do something lay1573 plota1586 to cast aboutc1590 to put into (also in) practice1592 plat1596 project1600 to lay abouta1618 to lay out1651 plan1718 the world > action or operation > endeavour > searching or seeking > search for or seek [verb (transitive)] > search about for to search out?a1400 to look about1536 to feel after ——?1557 study1561 to feel for ——1569 to look out for1578 to lay out1624 to look round1630 to lay about1755 prospect1854 roust1870 to look around1927 a1618 J. Sylvester tr. G. Fracastoro Maidens Blush (1620) sig. A6^v Hee labours, and hee layes-about..that dear Issue to exterminate. 1699 A. Boyer Royal Dict. (at cited word) To lay about, in order to get an Office, Briguer, rechercher un Emploi. 1755 J. Shebbeare Lydia (1769) II. 176 She therefore laid about for a proper person to dispatch as an emissary to accomplish this design. †3. To strike out with vigour; = to lay about one at sense 32e. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ society > armed hostility > military equipment > operation and use of weapons > stroke with weapon > strike (of weapon) [verb (intransitive)] > strike with a weapon > on all sides to lay about onea1500 to lay about1609 to strike out1859 c1330 Arth. & Merl. 2874 (Kölbing) About he leyd on so hard, Þat his swerd brast atvo.] 1609 S. Rowlands Famous Hist. Guy Earle of Warwick 29 He drew his sword, and laid about. 1663 S. Butler Hudibras: First Pt. i. ii. 132 But when his rugged Sword was out, With stomack huge he laid about. to lay abroad transitive. To spread out; to set out for view; to spread (a net). Obsolete exc. archaic. ΘΚΠ the world > space > extension in space > extend [verb (transitive)] > spread (something) out or open abredeeOE bredeOE stretcha1000 to-spreada1000 openOE spreadc1175 displayc1320 to let outc1380 to open outc1384 outspreada1400 spald?a1400 splayc1402 expand?a1475 to lay along1483 speld?a1500 skail1513 to set abroad1526 to lay abroad1530 flarec1550 bespread1557 to set out1573 dispread1590 explaina1600 expanse1600 dispack1605 splat1615 dispand1656 extend1676 flat1709 spelder1710 spreadeagle1829 1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 601/1 I laye abrode clothes in the sonne to be ayred or dried... I laye abrode, as hunters or fysshers do their nettes... I laye abrode monay, or vessell, or bookes to be vewed, je mets au large. 1535 Bible (Coverdale) 2 Kings xix. 14 Whan Ezechias had receaued the letters..[he] layed them abrode before the Lorde. 1574 J. Baret Aluearie L 54 To laie abroade hey in the sunne to drie. 1604 E. Grimeston tr. J. de Acosta Nat. & Morall Hist. Indies v. xxiv. 395 Hauing layed abroade these bones. 1883 R. W. Dixon Mano i. xvi. 50 For he abroad capacious nets had laid. to lay along 1. transitive. To stretch at full length (also, all along); hence, to lay low, prostrate; to destroy, overthrow, kill. ΘΚΠ the world > space > extension in space > extend [verb (transitive)] > spread (something) out or open abredeeOE bredeOE stretcha1000 to-spreada1000 openOE spreadc1175 displayc1320 to let outc1380 to open outc1384 outspreada1400 spald?a1400 splayc1402 expand?a1475 to lay along1483 speld?a1500 skail1513 to set abroad1526 to lay abroad1530 flarec1550 bespread1557 to set out1573 dispread1590 explaina1600 expanse1600 dispack1605 splat1615 dispand1656 extend1676 flat1709 spelder1710 spreadeagle1829 the world > health and disease > ill health > cause to be ill [verb (transitive)] > make weak fellOE wastec1230 faintc1386 endull1395 resolvea1398 afaintc1400 defeat?c1400 dissolvec1400 weakc1400 craze1476 feeblish1477 debilite1483 overfeeble1495 plucka1529 to bring low1530 debilitate1541 acraze1549 decaya1554 infirma1555 weaken1569 effeeble1571 enervate1572 enfeeble1576 slay1578 to pull downa1586 prosternate1593 shake1594 to lay along1598 unsinew1598 languefy1607 enerve1613 pulla1616 dispirit1647 imbecilitate1647 unstring1700 to run down1733 sap1755 reduce1767 prostrate1780 shatter1785 undermine1812 imbecile1829 disinvigorate1844 devitalize1849 wreck1850 atrophy1865 crumple1892 the world > life > death > killing > kill [verb (transitive)] swevec725 quelmeOE slayc893 quelleOE of-falleOE ofslayeOE aquellc950 ayeteeOE spillc950 beliveOE to bring (also do) of (one's) life-dayOE fordoa1000 forfarea1000 asweveOE drepeOE forleseOE martyrOE to do (also i-do, draw) of lifeOE bringc1175 off-quellc1175 quenchc1175 forswelta1225 adeadc1225 to bring of daysc1225 to do to deathc1225 to draw (a person) to deathc1225 murder?c1225 aslayc1275 forferec1275 to lay to ground, to earth (Sc. at eird)c1275 martyrc1300 strangle1303 destroya1325 misdoa1325 killc1330 tailc1330 to take the life of (also fro)c1330 enda1340 to kill to (into, unto) death1362 brittena1375 deadc1374 to ding to deathc1380 mortifya1382 perisha1387 to dight to death1393 colea1400 fella1400 kill out (away, down, up)a1400 to slay up or downa1400 swelta1400 voida1400 deliverc1400 starvec1425 jugylc1440 morta1450 to bring to, on, or upon (one's) bierc1480 to put offc1485 to-slaya1500 to make away with1502 to put (a person or thing) to silencec1503 rida1513 to put downa1525 to hang out of the way1528 dispatch?1529 strikea1535 occidea1538 to firk to death, (out) of lifec1540 to fling to deathc1540 extinct1548 to make out of the way1551 to fet offa1556 to cut offc1565 to make away?1566 occise1575 spoil1578 senda1586 to put away1588 exanimate1593 unmortalize1593 speed1594 unlive1594 execute1597 dislive1598 extinguish1598 to lay along1599 to make hence1605 conclude1606 kill off1607 disanimate1609 feeze1609 to smite, stab in, under the fifth rib1611 to kill dead1615 transporta1616 spatch1616 to take off1619 mactate1623 to make meat of1632 to turn up1642 inanimate1647 pop1649 enecate1657 cadaverate1658 expedite1678 to make dog's meat of1679 to make mincemeat of1709 sluice1749 finisha1753 royna1770 still1778 do1780 deaden1807 deathifyc1810 to lay out1829 cool1833 to use up1833 puckeroo1840 to rub out1840 cadaverize1841 to put under the sod1847 suicide1852 outkill1860 to fix1875 to put under1879 corpse1884 stiffen1888 tip1891 to do away with1899 to take out1900 stretch1902 red-light1906 huff1919 to knock rotten1919 skittle1919 liquidate1924 clip1927 to set over1931 creasea1935 ice1941 lose1942 to put to sleep1942 zap1942 hit1955 to take down1967 wax1968 trash1973 ace1975 1483 ( tr. G. Deguileville Pilgrimage of Soul (Caxton) iii. ix. f. lv^v Thenne sawe I yet another companye..these were leyd a long vpon a table. 1535 Bible (Coverdale) 2 Kings iv. 35 [Elisha] went up, and layed him selfe a longe vpon him. 1598 A. M. tr. J. Guillemeau Frenche Chirurg. 35 b/1 Shee is without all strength, cleane layed a-longe. 1599 Withals' Dict. 62 b To ouerthrow, lay along, and destroie, sterno. 1599 W. Shakespeare Romeo & Juliet v. iii. 3 Vnder yond young Trees lay thee all along. 1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Æneis i, in tr. Virgil Wks. 209 The Leaders first He laid along. 1749 T. Smollett tr. A. R. Le Sage Gil Blas III. vii. xvi. 104 My nurse laid me all along again. 1857 Children's Friend Mar. 66 I saw him raised into the boat all stiff..He was laid along upon a plank. 2. intransitive (Nautical: see 43b) Of a ship: To lean over with a side wind. (Cf. lie along at to lie along 2 at lie v.¹ Phrasal verbs.) ΘΚΠ society > travel > travel by water > action or motion of vessel > [verb (intransitive)] > heel or list blencha1300 rolla1325 heelc1575 seela1618 list1626 stoop1663 careen1762 to lie along1769 to lay along1779 wrong1842 to roll down1856 1779 Barnard in Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 70 107 That leakage, washing from side to side, will cause the ship to lay along. to lay apart † transitive. To put aside or away from one; to omit purposely (to do something.) ΘΚΠ the mind > possession > relinquishing > casting or laying aside > [verb (transitive)] to let awaya1000 forcast?c1225 to lay downc1275 forthrow1340 flita1375 removea1382 to cast away1382 understrewc1384 castc1390 to lay awaya1400 to lay asidec1440 slingc1440 warpiss1444 to lay from, offc1480 way-put1496 depose1526 to lay apart1526 to put off1526 to set apart1530 to turn up1541 abandonate?1561 devest1566 dispatch1569 decarta1572 discard1578 to make away1580 to fling away1587 to cast off1597 doff1599 cashier1603 to set by1603 moult1604 excuss1607 retorta1616 divest1639 deposit1646 disentail1667 dismiss1675 slough1845 shed1856 jettison1869 shake1872 offload1900 junk1911 dump1919 sluff1934 bin1940 to put down1944 shitcan1973 the world > action or operation > inaction > not doing > abstaining or refraining from action > abstain or refrain from (action) [verb (transitive)] holdc897 forgoa1000 oversitOE forbearc1200 letc1330 to let bec1385 to lay apart1526 refrain1528 to let pass1530 retainc1540 abstain1578 restrain1594 stay1599 nurture1627 withhold1650 waive1653 inhold1655 withstand1852 skip1961 the mind > language > statement > refusal > [verb (transitive)] > dismiss from consideration forheedc1275 sequesterc1380 forlaya1400 to lay awaya1400 to put, set or lay byc1425 to lay by1439 to lay asidec1440 to set, lay, put apart1477 bar1481 to lay apart1526 to throw out1576 disclude1586 to fling aside1587 to fling away1587 exclude1593 daff1598 to throw by1644 eliminate1850 to write off1861 to filter out1934 slam-dunk1975 1526 Bible (Tyndale) James i. 21 Wherfore laye a parte all filthynes [so 1611]. ?c1535 L. Cox Arte Rhethorycke (new ed.) sig. Biv All maners of the law layd for the tyme vtterly a part. 1563 2nd Tome Homelyes Rogation i Wee shall..lay apart to speake of the profound and unsearchable nature of Almighty God, rather acknowledging our weakenesse, then rashly to attempt [etc.]. 1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene i. Proem sig. A2^v Lay now thy..bowe apart. 1600 W. Shakespeare Henry V ii. iv. 78 That you deuest your selfe and lay apart That borrowed tytle. to lay aside 1. transitive. To put away from one's person (as a garment, weapon, or the like); to put on one side. ΘΚΠ the world > space > place > removal or displacement > remove or displace [verb (transitive)] > set aside defer1393 to lay asidec1405 to set aside (on side)1412 side?1840 sidetrack1872 the mind > possession > relinquishing > casting or laying aside > [verb (transitive)] > as a garment, weapon, etc. to lay downc1275 to lay awaya1400 to lay asidec1405 to lay by1439 c1405 (c1390) G. Chaucer Man of Law's Tale (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 615 They moste..leye alite hir holynesse asyde As for the tyme. 1565 T. Cooper Thesaurus at Condo Seponere & condere, to lay aside and locke vp. a1569 M. Coverdale Fruitful Lessons (1593) To Rdr. sig. A4^v The old Adam ought we to lay aside. 1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene i. iii. 33 Her fillet she vndight, And layd her stole aside. 1611 Bible (King James) Heb. xii. 1 Let us lay aside every weight. View more context for this quotation 1781 D. Williams tr. Voltaire Dramatic Wks. II. 140 A father cannot lay aside the father. 1828 W. S. Landor Imaginary Conversat. III. xiii. 359 On entering the apartment of the women of your country, you lay aside both slipper and turban. 1849 W. E. Aytoun Buried Flower in Poems 181 Death had laid aside his terror. 1890 Lippincott's Monthly Mag. May 632 The editor laid aside the last proof-sheet. 2. transitive. To reject or dismiss from one's consideration or action; to abandon or postpone (a design), discontinue (an occupation). ΘΚΠ the mind > possession > relinquishing > casting or laying aside > [verb (transitive)] to let awaya1000 forcast?c1225 to lay downc1275 forthrow1340 flita1375 removea1382 to cast away1382 understrewc1384 castc1390 to lay awaya1400 to lay asidec1440 slingc1440 warpiss1444 to lay from, offc1480 way-put1496 depose1526 to lay apart1526 to put off1526 to set apart1530 to turn up1541 abandonate?1561 devest1566 dispatch1569 decarta1572 discard1578 to make away1580 to fling away1587 to cast off1597 doff1599 cashier1603 to set by1603 moult1604 excuss1607 retorta1616 divest1639 deposit1646 disentail1667 dismiss1675 slough1845 shed1856 jettison1869 shake1872 offload1900 junk1911 dump1919 sluff1934 bin1940 to put down1944 shitcan1973 the mind > attention and judgement > inattention > ignoring, disregard > ignore, disregard [verb (transitive)] > dismiss from consideration to put out of ——a1250 to lay awaya1400 to set asidec1407 to lay by1439 to lay asidec1440 to let (something) walkc1450 to set apart?1473 reject1490 seclude?1531 to let go1535 to put offc1540 to set by1592 sepose1593 to think away1620 to look over ——a1640 prescind1650 seposit1657 decognize1659 inconsider1697 to set over1701 shelf1819 sink1820 shelve1847 eliminate1848 to count out1854 discounta1856 defenestrate1917 neg1987 the mind > language > statement > refusal > [verb (transitive)] > dismiss from consideration forheedc1275 sequesterc1380 forlaya1400 to lay awaya1400 to put, set or lay byc1425 to lay by1439 to lay asidec1440 to set, lay, put apart1477 bar1481 to lay apart1526 to throw out1576 disclude1586 to fling aside1587 to fling away1587 exclude1593 daff1598 to throw by1644 eliminate1850 to write off1861 to filter out1934 slam-dunk1975 the world > action or operation > ceasing > cease from (an action or operation) [verb (transitive)] aswikec975 linOE beleavec1175 forletc1175 i-swikec1175 restc1175 stutte?c1225 lina1300 blinc1314 to give overc1325 to do wayc1350 stintc1366 finisha1375 leavea1375 yleavec1380 to leave offa1382 refuse1389 ceasec1410 resigna1413 respite?a1439 relinquish1454 surcease1464 discontinue1474 unfill1486 supersede1499 desist1509 to have ado?1515 stop1525 to lay aside1530 stay1538 quata1614 to lay away1628 sist1635 quita1642 to throw up1645 to lay by1709 to come off1715 unbuckle1736 peter1753 to knock off1767 stash1794 estop1796 stow1806 cheese1811 to chuck itc1879 douse1887 nark1889 to stop off1891 stay1894 sling1902 can1906 to lay off1908 to pack in1934 to pack up1934 to turn in1938 to break down1941 to tie a can to (or on)1942 to jack in1948 to wrap it up1949 the world > action or operation > behaviour > customary or habitual mode of behaviour > unaccustomedness or state of disuse > give up a habit or practice [verb (transitive)] leaveeOE forsakec1175 waive1340 twinc1386 refuse1389 to set aside1426 relinquish1454 abuse1471 renouncec1480 disaccustom1483 to break from1530 to lay aside1530 disprofess1590 dropa1616 to set bya1674 decline1679 unpractise?1680 slough1845 shake1872 sluff1934 kick1936 c1440 Partonope 5039 Hereth yt and than ley hyt asyde. 1470–85 T. Malory Morte d'Arthur iv. xx. 145 I praye to god that he send yow honour and worship. A said the Knyghte I may laye that on syde. 1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 605/1 I ley away, or I laye asyde my worke to loyter. 1579 S. Gosson Schoole of Abuse f. 43^v When our good desires are once laide aside. 1613 S. Purchas Pilgrimage 207 After sunne set, all this while the women lay aside their worke. a1616 W. Shakespeare Coriolanus (1623) i. iii. 71 Come, lay aside your stitchery. View more context for this quotation a1715 Bp. G. Burnet Hist. Own Time (1724) I. 66 So the design of the rising was laid aside. 1766 H. Brooke Fool of Quality I. iv. 152 Laying Peter aside; who think you was the greatest hero among the moderns? 1824 J. Mackintosh Speech in Commons 1 June in Wks. (1846) III. 417 I think myself entitled to lay aside..the testimony of the coachman. 1872 C. M. Yonge Cameos cx, in Monthly Packet June 515 The burghers laid aside their revelries. †3. transitive. To put out of the way, get rid of. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > existence and causation > creation > destruction > destroy [verb (transitive)] > eradicate or extirpate fornimOE to put awaya1382 outroot?a1425 unroot?a1425 out-razec1425 to pluck up1484 avell1530 sweep1560 depopulate1576 ruina1586 assoil1596 to lay aside1596 untop1598 displant1603 float1606 to take off1619 amolish1624 uproota1639 eradicate1647 to lay by1681 to polish off1827 uprend1911 to zero out1951 1596 J. Dalrymple tr. J. Leslie Hist. Scotl. (1888) I. 275 Quhen he had pacifiet his cuntrey, layd asyde his alde ennimies [etc.]. 1708 J. Swift Sentiments Church of Eng.-man ii, in Misc. (1711) 146 When a prince was laid aside for Male-administration. 1726–31 N. Tindal tr. P. Rapin de Thoyras Hist. Eng. (1743) II. xvii. 110 To lay aside this troublesome Regent. 4. transitive. To set apart for a purpose. ΘΚΠ the mind > possession > supply > storage > store [verb (transitive)] > reserve reservea1382 keepa1400 sparea1400 savea1450 to put by1568 to put aside1569 to set byc1595 sepose1609 seposit1657 to lay aside1711 to set away1747 to lay by1786 to lay (also put) past1847 to put away1861 1711 J. Addison Spectator No. 58. ¶1 I intend to lay aside a whole Week for this Undertaking. 5. transitive and passive. To be incapacitated for work by illness. ΘΚΠ the world > health and disease > ill health > [adjective] > in state of ill health or diseased > restrained by ill health bedridc1000 bedridden1340 bedlarc1440 bedrel1513 bed-sickc1550 clinica1631 bedfasta1639 non-surrective1668 decumbent1689 invalided1837 laid1868 to lay aside1879 wheelchaired1938 on the sick1976 1879 J. C. Shairp Robert Burns 172 At this crisis his faithful wife was laid aside, unable to attend him. 1901 Punch 3 Apr. 262/1 More than once laid aside by break down of health. to lay away 1. transitive. = to lay aside at Phrasal verbs. ΘΚΠ the mind > possession > relinquishing > casting or laying aside > [verb (transitive)] to let awaya1000 forcast?c1225 to lay downc1275 forthrow1340 flita1375 removea1382 to cast away1382 understrewc1384 castc1390 to lay awaya1400 to lay asidec1440 slingc1440 warpiss1444 to lay from, offc1480 way-put1496 depose1526 to lay apart1526 to put off1526 to set apart1530 to turn up1541 abandonate?1561 devest1566 dispatch1569 decarta1572 discard1578 to make away1580 to fling away1587 to cast off1597 doff1599 cashier1603 to set by1603 moult1604 excuss1607 retorta1616 divest1639 deposit1646 disentail1667 dismiss1675 slough1845 shed1856 jettison1869 shake1872 offload1900 junk1911 dump1919 sluff1934 bin1940 to put down1944 shitcan1973 the mind > attention and judgement > inattention > ignoring, disregard > ignore, disregard [verb (transitive)] > dismiss from consideration to put out of ——a1250 to lay awaya1400 to set asidec1407 to lay by1439 to lay asidec1440 to let (something) walkc1450 to set apart?1473 reject1490 seclude?1531 to let go1535 to put offc1540 to set by1592 sepose1593 to think away1620 to look over ——a1640 prescind1650 seposit1657 decognize1659 inconsider1697 to set over1701 shelf1819 sink1820 shelve1847 eliminate1848 to count out1854 discounta1856 defenestrate1917 neg1987 the mind > possession > relinquishing > casting or laying aside > [verb (transitive)] > as a garment, weapon, etc. to lay downc1275 to lay awaya1400 to lay asidec1405 to lay by1439 the mind > language > statement > refusal > [verb (transitive)] > dismiss from consideration forheedc1275 sequesterc1380 forlaya1400 to lay awaya1400 to put, set or lay byc1425 to lay by1439 to lay asidec1440 to set, lay, put apart1477 bar1481 to lay apart1526 to throw out1576 disclude1586 to fling aside1587 to fling away1587 exclude1593 daff1598 to throw by1644 eliminate1850 to write off1861 to filter out1934 slam-dunk1975 the world > action or operation > ceasing > cease from (an action or operation) [verb (transitive)] aswikec975 linOE beleavec1175 forletc1175 i-swikec1175 restc1175 stutte?c1225 lina1300 blinc1314 to give overc1325 to do wayc1350 stintc1366 finisha1375 leavea1375 yleavec1380 to leave offa1382 refuse1389 ceasec1410 resigna1413 respite?a1439 relinquish1454 surcease1464 discontinue1474 unfill1486 supersede1499 desist1509 to have ado?1515 stop1525 to lay aside1530 stay1538 quata1614 to lay away1628 sist1635 quita1642 to throw up1645 to lay by1709 to come off1715 unbuckle1736 peter1753 to knock off1767 stash1794 estop1796 stow1806 cheese1811 to chuck itc1879 douse1887 nark1889 to stop off1891 stay1894 sling1902 can1906 to lay off1908 to pack in1934 to pack up1934 to turn in1938 to break down1941 to tie a can to (or on)1942 to jack in1948 to wrap it up1949 the world > action or operation > inaction > not doing > abstaining or refraining from action > abstain or refrain from (action) [verb (transitive)] > abstain from considering or reject to lay away1641 a1400 Ipomedon (Kölbing) 338/7 He laid a way his horne & his hunter clothes & armed him all in white. 1526 Bible (Tyndale) Heb. xii. 1 Lett vs..laye a waye all that preseth vs doune, and the sinne that hangeth on vs. 1570 J. Foxe Actes & Monumentes (rev. ed.) I. 110/1 They were..ready to lay away their armour and weapons. 1591 H. Savile tr. Tacitus Ende of Nero: Fower Bks. Hist. ii. 173 That passion, amongst all other, euen of wise men is last layde away. 1628 T. Hobbes tr. Thucydides Peloponnesian War (1822) 4 [They] laid away..the fashion of wearing linen coats. 1641 King Charles I in J. Rushworth Hist. Coll.: Third Pt. (1692) I. 457 That laying away all disputes, you go on chearfully and speedily for the Reducing of Ireland. 1845 H. W. Longfellow Curfew in Belfry of Bruges ii. 4 The book is completed, And closed, like the day; And the hand that has written it Lays it away. 2. transitive. To bury. ? U.S. ΘΚΠ the world > life > death > disposal of corpse > burial > bury or entomb [verb (transitive)] bedelveOE begraveOE burya1000 beburyc1000 bifel-ec1000 layc1000 to fall, lull, lay (bring obs.) asleepOE tombc1275 gravec1300 inter1303 rekec1330 to lap in leadc1340 to lay to rest, abed, to bed1340 lie1387 to louk in clay (lead, etc.)?a1400 to lay lowa1425 earthc1450 sepulture1490 to put awaya1500 tyrea1500 mould1530 to graith in the grave1535 ingrave1535 intumulate1535 sepult1544 intumil?c1550 yird1562 shrinea1566 infera1575 entomb1576 sepelite1577 shroud1577 funeral1578 to load with earth1578 delve1587 to lay up1591 sepulchrize1595 pit-hole1607 infuneral1610 mool1610 inhumate1612 inurna1616 inhume1616 pit1621 tumulate1623 sepulchrea1626 turf1628 underlay1639 urna1657 to lay to sleep, asleep1701 envaulta1745 plant1785 ensepulchre1820 sheugh1839 to put under1879 to lay away1885 1885 M. E. Wilkins in Harper's Mag. Mar. 594/1 It was hardly six months since my poor sister was laid away. 3. transitive. Tanning. To place (hides) flat in a vat to steep in strong tan liquor for a long period, as the final stage in the process of tanning. Also intransitive of the hides. Cf. lay-away n. 1. ΘΚΠ society > occupation and work > materials > derived or manufactured material > leather > actions of leather [verb (intransitive)] > undergo tanning to lay away1885 society > occupation and work > industry > working with specific materials > working with skins > work with skins [verb (transitive)] > convert to leather > specific processes in tanning pile1773 handle1824 to lay away1885 1885 C. T. Davis Manuf. Leather xix. 368 In tanning heavy upper leather the practice..is to first handle the sides on sticks for ten or twelve days, and then lay them away twice in bark. 1897 C. T. Davis Manuf. Leather (ed. 2) 181 The stock is laid away by being spread out smoothly and upon the bottom of the tanvat, and between each layer there is sprinkled a slight thickness of ground bark. 1897 C. T. Davis Manuf. Leather (ed. 2) 383 After the hides have ‘laid-away’ for a sufficient length of time to extract the tannin partially out of the ‘liquor’. 1901 F. T. Addyman tr. A. M. Villon Pract. Treat. Leather Industry 139 Time required for Laying Away.—The hides are removed from the pit and put back three times so that the tan may be renewed. 1922 A. Rogers Pract. Tanning x. 302 The hides are sometimes rocked throughout the early stages up to the time when they are laid away. 1966 G. H. W. Humphreys Manuf. Sole & Other Heavy Leathers vii. 120 The goods may be laid away, but rarely these days with bark or other ground material as was the practice in former days when ‘layers’ were in general use. to lay by 1. transitive. = to lay aside at Phrasal verbs; †also = to lay aside at Phrasal verbs. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > inattention > ignoring, disregard > ignore, disregard [verb (transitive)] > dismiss from consideration to put out of ——a1250 to lay awaya1400 to set asidec1407 to lay by1439 to lay asidec1440 to let (something) walkc1450 to set apart?1473 reject1490 seclude?1531 to let go1535 to put offc1540 to set by1592 sepose1593 to think away1620 to look over ——a1640 prescind1650 seposit1657 decognize1659 inconsider1697 to set over1701 shelf1819 sink1820 shelve1847 eliminate1848 to count out1854 discounta1856 defenestrate1917 neg1987 the mind > possession > relinquishing > casting or laying aside > [verb (transitive)] > as a garment, weapon, etc. to lay downc1275 to lay awaya1400 to lay asidec1405 to lay by1439 the mind > language > statement > refusal > [verb (transitive)] > dismiss from consideration forheedc1275 sequesterc1380 forlaya1400 to lay awaya1400 to put, set or lay byc1425 to lay by1439 to lay asidec1440 to set, lay, put apart1477 bar1481 to lay apart1526 to throw out1576 disclude1586 to fling aside1587 to fling away1587 exclude1593 daff1598 to throw by1644 eliminate1850 to write off1861 to filter out1934 slam-dunk1975 the world > existence and causation > creation > destruction > destroy [verb (transitive)] > eradicate or extirpate fornimOE to put awaya1382 outroot?a1425 unroot?a1425 out-razec1425 to pluck up1484 avell1530 sweep1560 depopulate1576 ruina1586 assoil1596 to lay aside1596 untop1598 displant1603 float1606 to take off1619 amolish1624 uproota1639 eradicate1647 to lay by1681 to polish off1827 uprend1911 to zero out1951 the world > action or operation > ceasing > cease from (an action or operation) [verb (transitive)] aswikec975 linOE beleavec1175 forletc1175 i-swikec1175 restc1175 stutte?c1225 lina1300 blinc1314 to give overc1325 to do wayc1350 stintc1366 finisha1375 leavea1375 yleavec1380 to leave offa1382 refuse1389 ceasec1410 resigna1413 respite?a1439 relinquish1454 surcease1464 discontinue1474 unfill1486 supersede1499 desist1509 to have ado?1515 stop1525 to lay aside1530 stay1538 quata1614 to lay away1628 sist1635 quita1642 to throw up1645 to lay by1709 to come off1715 unbuckle1736 peter1753 to knock off1767 stash1794 estop1796 stow1806 cheese1811 to chuck itc1879 douse1887 nark1889 to stop off1891 stay1894 sling1902 can1906 to lay off1908 to pack in1934 to pack up1934 to turn in1938 to break down1941 to tie a can to (or on)1942 to jack in1948 to wrap it up1949 1439 in Rymer Fœdera (1710) X. 727/2 That Matiere..was so lightly laide by at Arras and noon Inclination shewed therto. c1585 R. Browne Answere to Cartwright 6 He must..laye by his proofe as vntrue. 1600 W. Shakespeare Much Ado about Nothing v. i. 64 I am forst to lay my reuerence by . View more context for this quotation 1644 J. Milton Areopagitica 7 Leaving it to each ones conscience to read or to lay by. 1674 J. Ray Coll. Eng. Words 123 The cinder or slag..they take off with a shovel and lay it by. 1681 J. Dryden Absalom & Achitophel 16 These were for laying Honest David by, On Principles of pure good Husbandry. 1709 R. Steele Tatler No. 47. ⁋7 I shall therefore lay by my Drama for some Time. 1736 T. Lediard Life Marlborough I. 118 It was Pity that so able a Man..should be laid by, as useless and forgotten. 1782 W. Cowper Conversation in Poems 246 It views the truth with a distorted eye, And either warps or lays it useless by. 1798 W. S. Landor Gebir i. 51 His buckler and his corslet he laid by. 1867 J. B. Rose tr. Virgil Æneis 233 Lay by your wonted tasks. 2. To put away in store; to store up; to save (money). Also absol. ΘΚΠ the mind > possession > supply > storage > store [verb (transitive)] > reserve reservea1382 keepa1400 sparea1400 savea1450 to put by1568 to put aside1569 to set byc1595 sepose1609 seposit1657 to lay aside1711 to set away1747 to lay by1786 to lay (also put) past1847 to put away1861 1786 R. Burns Poems & Songs (1968) I. 168 A heapet Stimpart, I'll reserve ane Laid by for you. 1825 New Monthly Mag. 16 312 Of her twelve hundred a-year, she regularly lays by two-thirds. 1853 E. Bulwer-Lytton My Novel I. iv. v. 288 It is a great sum,..but I will lay by, as you are kind enough to trust me. 1855 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. IV. xx. 501 Persons who had laid by money would rather put it into the Bank. 1873 H. Spencer Study Sociol. xv. 367 Few of them lay by in anticipation of times when work is slack. 3. To put away for future disposal or for safety. ΘΚΠ the mind > possession > supply > storage > store [verb (transitive)] > temporarily to lay by1719 store1899 1719 D. Defoe Life Robinson Crusoe 238 I perceived..two miserable Wretches dragg'd from the Boats, where it seems they were laid by, and were now brought out for the Slaughter. 1820 J. Keats Isabella in Lamia & Other Poems 75 She wrapp'd it up; and for its tomb did choose A garden-pot, wherein she laid it by. 1893 Field 25 Feb. 297/3 She has not been put afloat yet, but is laid by till open weather sets in. 4. passive. To be ‘laid aside’ by illness (cf. to lay aside 5 at Phrasal verbs). ΘΚΠ the world > health and disease > ill health > cause to be ill [verb (transitive)] > restrain by ill health to lay up1554 to lay by1782 1782 Macqueen in Med. Communications 1 69 They are..seized with a Catarrh.., which rages so fast that in twenty-four hours, every individual..is..laid by. 1825 J. Jamieson Etymol. Dict. Sc. Lang. Suppl. To Lay by, this v., indeed, is used in two forms. ‘He has laid himsell by wi' o'er muckle wark’, he has so overdone himself by improper exertion, that he is laid up. ‘He's laid by’, he is confined by ailment, S. 1889 A. V. Carr Margaret Maliphant I. xii. 237 Father is often laid by, and unable to go round the farm. 5. intransitive (Nautical) = to lay to at Phrasal verbs (to lay to 3 at Phrasal verbs). ΘΚΠ society > travel > travel by water > directing or managing a ship > use of sails, spars, or rigging > support (an amount of) sail [verb (intransitive)] > lie to trya1584 to lie by1623 to lay by1697 to lie to1711 to lay to1798 1697 London Gaz. No. 3287/3 They all laid by a considerable time, and then making Sail stood to the Westward. 1741 S. Speed in Buccleuch MSS (Hist. MSS Comm.) (1899) I. 395 Their not hoisting their colours..and..not laying by for us. 6. To work (a crop or field) for the last time, before leaving it to grow without further husbandry. U.S. ΘΚΠ the world > food and drink > farming > cultivation or tillage > cultivate or till [verb (transitive)] > cultivate for last time to lay by1759 1759 J. Gordon Jrnl. 12 July in William & Mary Coll. Q. Hist. Mag. (1902) 11 106 Mowing oats & laying by corn. 1784 J. F. D. Smyth Tour U.S.A. II. 127 I was also accustomed to sow a quantity of faulty wheat..in my tobacco grounds, when I gave them the last ploughing, or laid them by. 1831 J. M. Peck Guide for Emigrants ii. 154 To use the phrase of the country [Illinois], the corn is then [after suckering, in early July] ‘laid by’, and the leisure and lazy season of the farmer commences. 1835 J. W. Monett in J. H. Ingraham South-West II. App. 285 The ploughing generally ceases and the crop is ‘laid by’ about the last of July. 1868 14th Ann. Rep. Iowa State Agric. Soc. 1867 158 The ground should be thoroughly rolled;..then lay by with barshear plow. 1947 Democrat 25 Dec. 3/4 This year when the corn was ‘laid-by’ the crotalaria came up voluntarily. to lay down 1. transitive. To put (something that one is holding or carrying) down upon the ground or any other surface; to put off, discard (a garment, armour). to lay down (one's) arms: to surrender. ΘΚΠ the mind > possession > relinquishing > casting or laying aside > [verb (transitive)] to let awaya1000 forcast?c1225 to lay downc1275 forthrow1340 flita1375 removea1382 to cast away1382 understrewc1384 castc1390 to lay awaya1400 to lay asidec1440 slingc1440 warpiss1444 to lay from, offc1480 way-put1496 depose1526 to lay apart1526 to put off1526 to set apart1530 to turn up1541 abandonate?1561 devest1566 dispatch1569 decarta1572 discard1578 to make away1580 to fling away1587 to cast off1597 doff1599 cashier1603 to set by1603 moult1604 excuss1607 retorta1616 divest1639 deposit1646 disentail1667 dismiss1675 slough1845 shed1856 jettison1869 shake1872 offload1900 junk1911 dump1919 sluff1934 bin1940 to put down1944 shitcan1973 the world > space > place > placing or fact of being placed in (a) position > place or put in a position [verb (transitive)] > put or lay down allayOE seta1000 to lay downc1275 to put downa1382 to set downa1400 deposec1420 to sit down1600 depositate1618 deposit1749 ground1751 plank1859 the mind > possession > relinquishing > casting or laying aside > [verb (transitive)] > as a garment, weapon, etc. to lay downc1275 to lay awaya1400 to lay asidec1405 to lay by1439 the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > providing with clothing > undressing or removing clothing > undress or remove clothing [verb (transitive)] > take off clothing to do offeOE to lay downc1275 to weve offc1290 stripc1320 doffa1375 loose1382 ofdrawa1393 casta1400 to take offa1400 warpa1400 to cast offc1400 to catch offc1400 waivec1400 voidc1407 to put off?a1425 to wap offc1440 to lay from, offc1480 despoil1483 to pull offc1500 slip1535 devest1566 to shift off1567 daff1609 discuss1640 to lay off1699 strip1762 douse1780 shuffle1837 derobe1841 shed1858 skin1861 peel1888 pull1888 the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > downward motion > causing to come or go down > cause to come or go down [verb (transitive)] > lay or put down to lay downc1275 to set netherc1275 to put downa1382 submit1543 down1595 society > armed hostility > defeat > suffer defeat [verb (transitive)] > surrender (a town, etc.) yield1297 ayield1450 render1481 surrender1509 capitulate1610 to lay down (one's) arms1659 to ground arms1855 c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 2528 Leie [c1300 Otho ley] a-dun þin hære-scrud & þinne rede sceld. and þi sper longe. a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 3296 Mi hernes dun heir did i lai. c1405 (c1390) G. Chaucer Reeve's Tale (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 165 Lay doun thy swerd, and I wol myn alswa. c1480 (a1400) St. Peter 224 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) I. 13 I did as myn moder saide, In þe corn myn howk doun lade, and bad it do þat do sulde I. 1560 J. Daus tr. J. Sleidane Commentaries f. ccccxxiij That with al spede they laye downe theyr weapons, and deuise some meanes of concorde. 1659 D. Pell Πελαγος 451 (note) They laid down their arms, and put on mourning. 1848 W. M. Thackeray Vanity Fair lxvii. 618 She laid down the cup of tea. 1890 T. F. Tout in F. Y. Powell et al. Hist. Eng. III. 142 Eighteen thousand French soldiers laid down their arms to the raw army that had defeated them at Baylen. 2. transitive. To resign, relinquish (office, power, dignity, hopes, etc.; †also absol. = to retire from office, etc.); †to discard, cease to bear (a name), discontinue, ‘drop’ (a custom, fashion); †to give up the wearing or use of. ΘΚΠ the mind > language > naming > give a name to [verb (transitive)] > discard (name) to lay downc1275 the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > disadvantage > uselessness > non-use > refrain from using [verb (transitive)] > cease to use leaveeOE to lay downa1450 abuse1471 disuse1487 to leave off1570 sink1705 to put down1733 to hang up (one's sword, gun, etc.)1826 the mind > possession > relinquishing > relinquish or give up [verb (transitive)] > specific something abstract forgivec1175 repealc1390 remit1394 disgorgea1523 to lay down1611 degorge1622 ungive1645 to give over1674 society > authority > office > withdrawing from or vacating office > vacate office [verb (intransitive)] resign1395 recede1452 retirec1598 to take, lay down, resign the fascesa1625 to go out1642 to sing one's nunc dimittis1642 to make one's bowa1656 to lay down1682 to swear off1698 vacate1812 to send in one's papers1872 to step down1890 to stand down1926 society > occupation and work > lack of work > [verb (intransitive)] > vacate an office or position > resign resign1395 resignate1531 to go out1642 to lay down1682 to swear off1698 to turn up1819 to pull the pin1860 to send in one's papers1872 to step down1890 to snatch it or one's time1941 society > authority > office > withdrawing from or vacating office > vacate (office) [verb (transitive)] to leave up1422 depone1533 surcease1552 dimit1563 demit1567 abdicate1570 to lay downa1715 vacate1850 society > occupation and work > lack of work > [verb (transitive)] > resign (an office or position) resigna1387 to leave up1422 depone1533 surcease1552 dimit1563 demit1567 to lay downa1715 ankle1936 c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 1020 Þa leodene..leiden adun þene noma & Trinouant heo nemneden. c1330 (?a1300) Sir Tristrem (1886) l. 1187 Tristrem he gan doun lain And seyd tramtris he hiȝt. a1450 Knt. de la Tour (1868) 62 Ladyes..that..hadde highe hornes, the whiche the holy man beganne to reprove, and yeue diuerse ensaumples to make hem to be layde doun. 1568 in J. Kinsley Poems W. Dunbar (1979) 138 In hairt be blyth and lay all dolour doun. 1577 W. Harrison Descr. Eng. (1877) ii. xii. i. 236 Horne in windows is quite laid downe in euerie place. 1611 J. Speed Hist. Great Brit. ix. xiii. 606/1 Those consultations of the Laity were laid downe. 1682 N. Luttrell Diary in Brief Hist. Relation State Affairs (1857) I. 176 There is a discourse..that the lord chanceller will lay down, and be succeeded by the lord cheif justice Pemberton. 1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Æneis xi, in tr. Virgil Wks. 552 What Hopes you had in Diomede, lay down. a1715 Bp. G. Burnet Hist. Own Time (1724) I. 461 They [sc. the clergy] seemed now to lay down all fears and apprehensions of Popery. 1715 J. Addison Spectator No. 556. ¶1 Upon laying down the Office of Spectator. 1720 D. Defoe Life Capt. Singleton 221 It was a good Retreat for those that were willing to leave off, and lay down. 1778 S. Johnson Let. 3 July (1992) III. 118 He has laid down his coach, and talks of making more contractions of his expence. 1826 W. Scott Woodstock vii Will he lay down his power? 3. transitive. To place in a recumbent or prostrate position. Often reflexive (†in early use conjugated with to be). †Also, to bring to bed of a child (cf. 2 above). ΘΚΠ the world > space > relative position > posture > action or fact of lying down or reclining > lie down or recline [verb (transitive)] > lay down or cause to lie down layc1175 to lay downc1250 coucha1375 the world > life > source or principle of life > birth > confinement > confine or deliver [verb (transitive)] bestowc1320 light?a1425 laya1500 to lay downa1500 to bring abed1523 to bring to bed, abeda1533 ?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 213 Hwen þe heorte..leið hire seolf dunewart buweð him as he bit.] c1250 Old Kent. Serm. in Old Eng. Misc. (1872) 32 Ure lord was i-leid him don to slepe. a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 15675 Ful buxumli he laid him don apon þat erth bare. 1481 W. Caxton tr. Hist. Reynard Fox (1970) 97 Tho wente he and leyd hym doun vnder a tre in the grasse. a1500 (?c1450) Merlin v. 88 She is now leide down in hir bedde of a childe male. 1535 Bible (Coverdale) Psalms iv. 8 Therfore wil I laye me downe in peace, & take my rest. 1623 W. Shakespeare & J. Fletcher Henry VIII i. iii. 40 The slye whorsons Haue got a speeding tricke to lay downe Ladies. View more context for this quotation 1781–3 W. Cowper Verses by A. Selkirk 50 The sea~fowl is gone to her nest, The beast is laid down in his lair. 1791 W. Cowper tr. Homer Odyssey in Iliad & Odyssey II. x. 64 Around my head Winding my mantle, [I] lay'd me down below. 1816 C. Wolfe Burial Sir J. Moore 29 Slowly and sadly we laid him down. 4. transitive. To put down (money) as a wager or a payment; †to pay (a debt). ΘΚΠ society > leisure > entertainment > pastimes > betting > bet on [verb (transitive)] > bet (money, etc.) laya1300 wed1362 to lay downc1430 setc1460 jeopardc1470 wage1484 holda1500 pary?a1505 to stake down1565 stake1591 gagec1598 bet?a1600 go1607 wagera1616 abet1617 impone1702 sport1706 stand1795 gamble1813 parlay1828 ante1846 to put on1890 plunge1919 society > trade and finance > payment > pay money or things [verb (transitive)] > lay down money to lay down1560 lay1572 to tell down1600 consign1633 deposita1640 post1821 society > trade and finance > payment > payment of debt > pay debt [verb (transitive)] quit?c1225 acquita1250 to pay up1434 satisfy1437 discharge1439 defease1480 persolve1548 solve1558 defray1576 affray1584 clear1600 to pay off1607 extinguish1630 to lay downa1640 wipe1668 settle1688 sink1694 retrieve1711 to clear up1726 balance1740 liquidate1755 to clear off1766 square1821 amortize1830 c1430 J. Lydgate London Lyckpeny in Minor Poems (Percy Soc.) Lay down your sylver, and here you may speede. 1464–5 Manners & Househ. Exp. Eng. (Roxb.) 487 Paid to Robart Klerke that he leid doune, xijd. 1560 J. Daus tr. J. Sleidane Commentaries f. ccxlvj^v Besydes those..Dukates, whyche he hathe alreadye defrayde, [he] shall laye downe as muche more at Venise. 1583 C. Hollyband Campo di Fior 137 What shall we laye downe? What shall we stake? 1622 J. Donne Lett. (1651) 230 He writ to me that 8¹ would discharge him, and that M^r Selden would lay down half. a1640 P. Massinger & J. Fletcher Very Woman ii. i. 10 in P. Massinger 3 New Playes (1655) I have done nothing..that may justly claim A title to your friendship, and much less Laid down the debt, which..not I, but mankind Stands bound to tender. 1692 R. L'Estrange Life Æsop in Fables (1708) 15 Lay down the Money upon the Nail, and the Business is done. 5. transitive. To sacrifice (one's life). ΚΠ 1611 Bible (King James) John x. 15, xv. 13. 1781 W. Cowper Expostulation 536 To waste thy life in arms or lay it down In causeless feuds. 1862 Temple Bar 6 190 Ready..to lay down fortune, freedom, and perhaps life itself, for their sake. 6. transitive †To put down, overthrow (obsolete). Also Nautical of wind or sea: To make (a vessel) lie on her side. ΘΚΠ society > armed hostility > victory > make victorious [verb (transitive)] > conquer or overcome overcomeeOE shendc893 awinc1000 overwinOE overheaveOE to lay downa1225 mate?c1225 discomfitc1230 win1297 dauntc1300 cumber1303 scomfit1303 fenkc1320 to bear downc1330 confoundc1330 confusec1330 to do, put arrear1330 oversetc1330 vanquishc1330 conquerc1374 overthrowc1375 oppressc1380 outfighta1382 to put downa1382 discomfortc1384 threshc1384 vencuea1400 depressc1400 venque?1402 ding?a1425 cumrayc1425 to put to (also at, unto) the (also one's) worsec1425 to bring or put to (or unto) utterance1430 distrussc1430 supprisec1440 ascomfita1450 to do stress?c1450 victorya1470 to make (win) a conquest1477 convanquish1483 conquest1485 defeat1485 oversailc1485 conques1488 discomfish1488 fulyie1488 distress1489 overpress1489 cravent1490 utter?1533 to give (a person) the overthrow1536 debel1542 convince1548 foil1548 out-war1548 profligate1548 proflige?c1550 expugnate1568 expugn1570 victor1576 dismay1596 damnify1598 triumph1605 convict1607 overman1609 thrash1609 beat1611 debellate1611 import1624 to cut to (or in) pieces1632 maitrise1636 worst1636 forcea1641 outfight1650 outgeneral1767 to cut up1803 smash1813 slosh1890 ream1918 hammer1948 the world > action or operation > prosperity > success > mastery or superiority > have or gain mastery or superiority over [verb (transitive)] > overcome or overwhelm > completely or overthrow shrenchc897 allayOE fellOE quellOE to bring to the groundc1175 forlesec1200 to lay downa1225 acastc1225 accumberc1275 cumber1303 confoundc1330 overthrowc1375 cumrayc1425 overquell?c1450 overwhelvec1450 to nip in (also by, on) the head (also neck, pate)?a1500 prostrate1531 quash1556 couch1577 unhorse1577 prosternate1593 overbeata1616 unchariot1715 floor1828 quench1841 to knock over1853 fling1889 to throw down1890 steamroller1912 wipe1972 zonk1973 a1225 Leg. Kath. 773 Ȝef me is ileuet þurh mi leoue lauerd for to leggen ham adun. c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 277 A londe & a watere he heom adun leaide [c1300 Otho leide]. 1340 R. Rolle Pricke of Conscience 4415 He [Antichrist] sal drawe til hym bathe lered and lewed, And crysten law sal be doun layde. c1380 J. Wyclif Wks. (1880) 10 Lest here ypocrisie be parceyued and here wynnynge and worldly fame leid a-doun. a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1871) III. 237 Foure þowsand of Spartanes fil uppon hem and leyde adoun and slouȝ of hem þre dayes to gidres. 1745 P. Thomas True Jrnl. Voy. South-Seas 24 A raging Sea took us..with that Violence that it..laid down the Ship in a Manner quite on her Side. 7. transitive. To construct (roads, railways, ships). Also to lay down a keel. ΘΚΠ society > occupation and work > industry > building or constructing > build or construct [verb (transitive)] timbera900 workOE betimberOE craftOE buildc1275 lifta1300 stagec1330 upraise1338 wright1338 edifya1340 to make outa1382 to make upa1382 biga1400 housea1400 risea1400 telda1400–50 to work upa1450 redress1481 levy1495 upmake1507 upbuild1513 exstruct?c1550 construct1663 to run up1686 practise1739 to lay up1788 elevate1798 to put up1818 to lay down1851 practicate1851 1851 Official Descriptive & Illustr. Catal. Great Exhib. IV. 1127 Levelling instrument..intended..for laying down railroads and highways. 1884 Leeds Mercury 15 Nov. 6/6 It is not..intended to lay down any new ironclads at present. 1890 T. F. Tout in F. Y. Powell et al. Hist. Eng. III. 240 Brunel laid down the Great Western. 1897 Daily News 23 Jan. 3/5 Her keel will be laid down in the course of a week or two. 8. transitive. To establish, formulate definitely (a principle, rule); to prescribe (a course of action, limits, etc.). to lay down the law: to declare what the law (with regard to something) is; hence colloquial to make dogmatic statements, esp. in argument. ΘΚΠ society > authority > command > command or bidding > command [verb (transitive)] > ordain, prescribe, or appoint asetc885 teachc897 deemc900 ashapea1000 i-demeOE setc1000 shiftc1000 stevenOE redeOE willOE lookc1175 showc1175 stablea1300 devise1303 terminea1325 shapec1330 stightlea1375 determinec1384 judgea1387 sign1389 assize1393 statute1397 commanda1400 decree1399 yarka1400 writec1405 decreetc1425 rule1447 stallc1460 constitute1481 assignc1485 institute1485 prescribec1487 constitue1489 destinate1490 to lay down1493 make?a1513 call1523 plant1529 allot1532 stint1533 determ1535 appointa1538 destinec1540 prescrive1552 lot1560 fore-appoint1561 nominate1564 to set down1576 refer1590 sort1592 doom1594 fit1600 dictate1606 determinate1636 inordera1641 state1647 fix1660 direct1816 the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > absence of doubt, confidence > assured fact, certainty > making certain, assurance > assure, make certain [verb (transitive)] > make firm, establish i-fastc950 tailc1315 terminea1325 foundc1394 stablish1447 terminate?a1475 tailyec1480 to lay down1493 ascertain1494 bishop1596 salve1596 pitch1610 assign1664 determinate1672 settle1733 to set at rest1826 definitize1876 cinch1900 society > authority > [verb (intransitive)] to give (the) law (to)a1225 reignc1325 to rule the roastc1500 to bear (the) rooma1529 to have, bear, carry, strike the stroke1531 to bear (a or the) sway1549 to bear a (also the) rout1550 (to have) swing and sway1552 to rule the rout1570 master1656 carry1662 to lay down the law1762 to rule the roost1769 to carry (also hold) (big) guns1867 the mind > mental capacity > belief > expressed belief, opinion > extreme opinion, dogmatism > assert dogmatically [verb (intransitive)] dogmatize1611 to lay out1748 to lay down the law1762 pontificate1818 pundit1940 1493 Festiall (1496) 1 b Holy chirche leyth downe songes of melody as Te deum lau. Gloria in excelsis. 1592 A. Day 2nd Pt. Eng. Secretorie sig. K3, in Eng. Secretorie (rev. ed.) I haue determined..vnder this Narratorie..title, to lay downe my limites. 1629 J. Earle Micro-cosmogr. (ed. 5) xxvii. sig. F4 Hee layes you downe a hundred wild plots, all impossible things. 1676 J. Glanvill Ess. iii. 13 Laying down Rules for solving some Cubick and Biquadratick Equations. 1712 G. Berkeley Passive Obed. §16. 20 If the Criterion we have laid down, be True. a1715 Bp. G. Burnet Hist. Own Time (1724) I. 273 He assured him he would pay the debt: But did not lay down any method of doing it. 1762 S. Foote Orators i. 7 I tell thee what, Ephraim, if thee can'st but once learn to lay down the law, there's no knowing what thee may'st rise. 1765 W. Blackstone Comm. Laws Eng. I. 238 We may now be allowed to lay down the law of redress against public oppression. 1845 J. R. McCulloch Treat. Taxation i. iv. 131 It may be safely laid down that at all times a considerable number of occupiers of land are losing by their business. 1860 J. Tyndall Glaciers of Alps ii. xv. 308 He laid down the conditions of the problem with perfect clearness. 1866 A. Trollope Belton Estate II. vii. 170 She endeavoured to..lay down for herself a line of conduct. 1885 R. C. Praed Affinities I. ix. 206 He was in the midst of an argument,..and was laying down the law in this fashion. 9. transitive. To set down or mark out (a plan) on paper; to delineate; †to describe (a geometrical figure). ΘΚΠ society > communication > representation > a plastic or graphic representation > graphic representation > represent graphically [verb (transitive)] > a geometrical figure erect1660 to lay down1669 construct1715 traverse1905 society > communication > representation > a plastic or graphic representation > graphic representation > drawing plans or diagrams > make plan or diagram of [verb (transitive)] to set down in plat1508 to plat forth1556 delineate1579 plot1588 plat1589 trace1599 to line outa1616 lineament1638 to lay down1669 design1697 plan1734 draught1828 1669 S. Sturmy Mariners Mag. i. 31 How to lay down a Triangle in a Circle. 1669 S. Sturmy Mariners Mag. v. 6 After you have taken the Angles..You must Protract or lay down the Figure. 1697 W. Dampier New Voy. around World xvi. 448 Many shoals..that are not laid down in our Drafts. 1793 J. Smeaton Narr. Edystone Lighthouse (ed. 2) §99 I was..laying down the measures of the rock upon paper. 1817 W. Scott Search after Happiness iii If Rennell has it not, you'll find, mayhap, The isle laid down in Captain Sindbad's map. 1853 Jrnl. Royal Agric. Soc. 14 i. 101 A map on which the drains of each field are laid down. 1890 T. F. Tout in F. Y. Powell et al. Hist. Eng. III. 292 He now laid down clearly the island groups of the North Pacific. †10. transitive. To put down in writing; to treat of. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ society > leisure > the arts > literature > art or occupation of writer or author > be the author of or write (a work) [verb (transitive)] > express in written work or write about writeOE inditea1340 pena1527 pursue1558 to lay down1583 discur1586 paper1594 style1605 word1613 exercisea1616 bescribble1643 describble1794 bewrite1875 1583 P. Stubbes Second Pt. Anat. Abuses sig. I8^v I will laye downe vnto you some such corruptions and abuses, as seeme to be inormous. 1634 W. Wood New Englands Prospect To Rdr. sig. A3^v I have laid downe the nature of the Country, without any partiall respect unto it. 1659 D. Pell Πελαγος 131 I have laid down some of my thoughts about this word, They that go down. 1756 S. Johnson Observ. State of Affairs in Lit. Mag. July–Aug. 161 It is then a proper time..to lay down with distinct particularity what rumour always huddles in general exclamations, or perplexes by undigested narratives. †11. transitive. to lay down by: to consider together with. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > discovery > comparison > compare [verb (transitive)] evenOE comparisonc1374 measurea1382 remenec1390 compare1509 confer?1531 to lay togethera1568 lay1577 paragona1586 paragonize1589 set1589 sympathize1600 confront1604 to name on (also in) the same day1609 collate1612 to lay down by1614 sampler1628 to set together1628 matcha1649 run1650 vie1685 to put together1690 1614 W. Raleigh Hist. World i. i. iii. §15. 64 Lay downe by those pleasures and benefits the fearfull and dangerous thunders and lightnings,..with other inconueniences, and then there will be found no comparison betweene the one and the other. 12. transitive. To ‘run and fell’ (a seam); to trim, embroider. Obsolete or archaic. ΘΚΠ the world > textiles and clothing > textiles > textile manufacture > manufacture textile fabric or that which consists of > sewing or ornamenting textile fabric > sew or ornament textile fabric [verb (transitive)] > trim to lay on1563 to lay down1611 1611 R. Cotgrave Dict. French & Eng. Tongues Rentraire, to lay in, or lay downe, a seame. c1650 Johnnie Armstrong vi, in F. J. Child Eng. & Sc. Pop. Ballads (1889) III. vi. 369 Ye shall every one have a velvet coat, Laid down with golden laces three. 1820 W. Scott Monastery II. ii. 33 A scarlet cloak, laid down with silver lace three inches broad. 13. transitive. Agriculture. To convert (arable land) into pasture; to put under grass, etc. Const. in, to, under, with. ΘΚΠ the world > food and drink > farming > cultivation or tillage > cultivation of plants or crops > cultivation of specific crops > [verb (transitive)] > crop with grass or hay > close meadow to grow hay to lay in1600 to lay down1608 to shut up1765 to put up1892 1608 in N. Riding Rec. (1884) I. 122 For converting and laying down of 60 acres of arrable land in pasture. 1743 Sel. Trans. Soc. Improvers Knowl. Agric. Scotl. 52 It is a prodigious Error to overcrop Ground, before laying it down with Grass-seeds. 1789 Trans. Soc. Arts (ed. 2) 1 88 Seeds for laying down arable land to grass. 1844 Jrnl. Royal Agric. Soc. 5 i. 64 The land is laid down with red or white clover. 1845 Jrnl. Royal Agric. Soc. 5 ii. 446 This ground was laid down with oats and grass. 1845 Jrnl. Royal Agric. Soc. 6 ii. 528 14 acres laid down under gorse. 1879 T. H. S. Escott England I. 59 Much of this land has been newly laid down to grass. 14. transitive. To store (wine) by putting it away in cellars. ΘΚΠ the world > food and drink > drink > manufacture of alcoholic drink > wine-making > [verb (transitive)] > store wine or stock cellar maintain1480 belay1562 wine1647 to lay down1839 bin1841 the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > neck-wear > [adjective] > collar > turn-down fall-down1741 laid-down1839 to lay down1839 lay-over1852 1839 C. Dickens Nicholas Nickleby xxxvii. 359 That was laid down when Mr. Linkinwater first come, that wine was. 1878 W. Besant & J. Rice By Celia's Arbour I. xv. 209 A generous flow of port, of which every respectable Briton then kept a cellar, carefully labelled and laid down years before. †15. transitive. To cause to subside; to pacify, appease. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > the earth > weather and the atmosphere > weather > fine weather > [verb (transitive)] > make (the weather or elements) calm stillOE lown1513 pacifya1522 to lay down1563 strew1594 lull1680 society > society and the community > dissent > absence of dissension or peace > bringing about concord or peace > bring to peace (strife or discord) [verb (transitive)] > appease or propitiate soft?c1225 queema1325 appeasec1374 pleasea1382 softena1382 mollifya1450 pacifya1500 apeace1523 temper1525 mitigatea1535 qualify?c1550 thaw1582 propitiate1583 aslake1590 smooth1608 to lay down1629 addulce1655 sweeten1657 acquiesce1659 gentle1663 palliate1678 placate1678 conciliate1782 to pour oil on the waters (also on troubled waters)1847 square1859 square1945 1563 W. Fulke Goodle Gallerye Causes Meteors iii. f. 19^v For who can affirme from whence it [wind] was raysed, or where it is layde downe. 1629 J. Earle Micro-cosmogr. (ed. 5) xxxiv. sig. G5 A man quickly fired, and quickly laid downe with satisfaction. 16. transitive. Printing. ‘To put pages on the stone for imposition’ (Jacobi Printer's Vocab. 1888). Also (see second quot.). ΚΠ 1825 T. C. Hansard Typographia 411 Having disposed, or ‘laid down’, the pages in this right order. 1825 T. C. Hansard Typographia 769 To lay down a gathering, is to place the several heaps, with their signatures following each other, upon benches or forms of a proper height. 17. transitive. To deposit and fix (a coating). Also of a paving material. Hence, to cover (a surface) with something. ΘΚΠ the world > space > relative position > condition of being external > covering > coating or covering with a layer > coat or cover with a layer [verb (transitive)] lay?a1366 overlaya1400 coverc1400 sheeta1616 glidder1631 candy1639 face1648 to do over1700 coat1753 candify1777 bed1839 to lay down1839 overcoat1861 the world > space > relative position > condition of being external > covering > coating or covering with a layer > coat or cover with a layer [verb (transitive)] > apply as a coating to lay down1839 1839 Penny Cycl. XIII. 95/1 The composition, which is elastic and very flexible, may be immediately laid down upon the japanned surface. 1894 A. Conan Doyle Mem. Sherlock Holmes 225 The corridor..was laid down with a kind of creamy linoleum. 18. transitive. Horse Racing slang. to lay himself (or simply lay) down to his work: of a horse, etc., to put all his strength into a race. ΚΠ 1885 W. D. Howells Rise Silas Lapham ii. 48 The mare..understood the signal, and, as an admirer said, ‘she laid down to her work’. 1893 Illustr. Sporting & Dramatic News 20 May 375/1 He never seemed to fairly lay himself down to his work, and..Thomas won as he liked. 19. intransitive. To give up or submit; to break down or cease to act; to fail; to retire or withdraw. U.S. ΚΠ 1898 Scribner's Mag. 23 453/2 I swear I hate to lay down to such a nincompoop. 1901 S. Merwin & H. K. Webster Calumet ‘K’ 64 You've never had to lay down yet, and you don't now. 1911 H. S. Harrison Queed vii. 87 Your body's got to carry your mind around, and if it lays down on you [etc.]. 1923 R. D. Paine Comrades Rolling Ocean x. 193 ‘Any water leaking in?’ ‘A trickle under the floor, but the bilge pump will take care of it unless she lays down on me.’ 1923 R. D. Paine Comrades Rolling Ocean xvii. 293 You stand by me and I won't lay down on you. 1927 Cleveland Press 4 Feb. Offered him a bribe to ‘lay down’ on the prosecution of George J. McKay, alleged arch-swindler. 20. transitive. To set up or establish (a certain beat). Jazz slang. ΘΚΠ society > leisure > the arts > music > musical sound > duration of notes > proportion of notes or rhythm > [verb (transitive)] > mark rhythm or measure > establish beat to lay down1950 1950 R. P. Blesh & H. Janis They all played Ragtime viii. 149 The backwoods pianists ‘laid down the beat’ and ‘stacked the blues’. 1950 R. P. Blesh & H. Janis They all played Ragtime x. 194 He laid down a terrific stomp. 1959 ‘F. Newton’ Jazz Scene vi. 104 The ‘rhythm section’ laid down a rock-firm beat. 1968 Melody Maker 6 Apr. 8/4 The soloist can play anything he chooses to play on the time that I lay down for him. 1968 Blues Unlimited Sept. 23 Preston..takes a few vocals, and lays down some swinging rhythm guitar. to lay forth †1. To stretch out in a prostrate position; to bring out and display openly. ΘΚΠ society > communication > manifestation > showing to the sight > show to the sight [verb (transitive)] to set beforea1000 openOE showlOE to put forth?c1225 kithe1297 to make (a) showing ofc1330 presenta1398 representa1398 to lay forthc1420 splayc1440 discovera1450 advisea1500 to set to (the) show?1510 to stall out1547 outlay1555 exhibit1573 strew1579 wray1587 displaya1616 ostentate1630 elevate1637 re-exhibita1648 expound1651 unveil1657 subject1720 flare1862 skin1873 patent1889 showcase1939 the world > space > relative position > posture > action or fact of stretching body > stretch [verb (transitive)] > specific part of body reacheOE stretcha1000 to-spreada1000 warpa1225 spreada1275 putc1390 straightc1400 to lay forthc1420 outstretcha1425 tillc1540 extend1611 to rax out1622 to stick out1663 overreach1890 society > leisure > the arts > literature > style of language or writing > copiousness > express copiously [verb (transitive)] > expatiate upon dilate1393 amplifya1400 paraphrase1644 to lay forth1692 to lay forth1692 expatiate1859 c1420 Chron. Vilod. (Horstm.) 1840 For alle thyng as forthe redy þerto y-leyde. c1430 Hymns Virg. 76 Now mote y leie forþ my necke, For deeþ his swerd out haþ lauȝte. 1535 Bible (Coverdale) 1 Macc. iii. 48 They..layde forth the bokes of the lawe. 1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene i. Proem sig. A2 Lay forth out of thine euerlasting scryne The antique rolles, which there lye hidden still. 1630 Order in R. Griffiths Ess. Jurisdict. Thames (1746) 65 No Fisherman..shall at any Time hereafter ship their Draw-Nets..into their Boats, before such Time as they have laid forth all their whole Net. 1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost iv. 259 Grots and Caves..o're which the mantling Vine Layes forth her purple Grape. View more context for this quotation †2. To put or bring forward in argument or the like; to expound; to make patent; to expose. Also reflexive to expatiate upon. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > testing > debate, disputation, argument > putting forward for discussion > put forward [verb (transitive)] > use as argument to lay forthc1405 adduce?a1425 object1536 argue1652 floora1687 the mind > mental capacity > intelligibility > meaning > explanation, exposition > expound, explain [verb (transitive)] arecchec885 unloukOE overrunOE sutelec1000 trahtnec1000 unfolda1050 belayc1175 openc1175 onopena1200 accountc1300 undo?a1366 remenea1382 interpret1382 unwrap1387 exploitc1390 enlumine1393 declarec1400 expoundc1400 unplait?c1400 enperc1420 planea1425 clearc1440 exponec1440 to lay outc1440 to give (also carry) lightc1449 unwind1482 expose1483 reducea1500 manifest1530 explicate1531 explaina1535 unlock?1536 dilucidate1538 elucidate1538 illustrate1538 rechec1540 explicate1543 illucidate1545 enucleate1548 unsnarl1555 commonstrate1563 to lay forth1577 straighten1577 unbroid1577 untwist1577 decipherc1586 illuminate1586 enlighten1587 resolvec1592 cipher1594 eliquidate1596 to take (a person) with one1599 rivelc1600 ravel1604 unbowel1606 unmist1611 extricate1614 unbolta1616 untanglea1616 enode1623 unperplexa1631 perspicuate1634 explata1637 unravel1637 esclarea1639 clarify1642 unweave1642 detenebrate1646 dismystery1652 undecipher1654 unfork1654 unparadox1654 reflect1655 enodate1656 unmysterya1661 liquidatea1670 recognize1676 to clear upa1691 to throw sidelight on1726 to throw (also cast, shed) light on (also upon)1731 eclaircise1754 irradiate1864 unbraid1880 predigest1905 to get (something) straight1920 disambiguate1960 demystify1963 society > communication > manifestation > disclosure or revelation > disclose or reveal [verb (transitive)] unwryc825 unhelec1000 to draw forthc1175 unhillc1200 to bring forth?c1225 unsteekc1250 let witc1275 uncovera1300 wraya1300 knowc1300 barea1325 shrivec1374 unwrapc1374 again-covera1382 nakena1382 outc1390 tellc1390 disclosea1393 cough1393 unhidea1400 unclosec1400 unhaspc1400 bewrayc1405 reveal1409 accusea1413 reveil1424 unlocka1425 unrekec1425 disclude?1440 uncurec1440 utter1444 detect1447 break1463 expose1483 divinec1500 revelate1514 to bring (also put) to light1526 decipher1529 rake1547 rip1549 unshadow1550 to lay to sight1563 uppen1565 unlace1567 unvisor?1571 resign1572 uncloak1574 disshroud1577 spill1577 reap1578 unrip1579 scour1585 unharboura1586 unmask1586 uncase1587 descrya1591 unclasp?1592 unrive1592 discover1594 unburden1594 untomb1594 unhusk1596 dismask1598 to open upc1600 untruss1600 divulge1602 unshale1606 unbrace1607 unveil1609 rave1610 disveil1611 unface1611 unsecret1612 unvizard1620 to open up1624 uncurtain1628 unscreen1628 unbare1630 disenvelop1632 unclothe1632 to lay forth1633 unshroud1633 unmuffle1637 midwife1638 dissecret1640 unseal1640 unmantle1643 to fetch out1644 undisguise1655 disvelop1658 decorticate1660 clash1667 exert1692 disinter1711 to up with1715 unbundlea1739 develop1741 disembosom1745 to open out1814 to let out1833 unsack1846 uncrown1849 to bring (out) in (also into) the open1861 unfrock1866 disbosom1868 to blow the lid off1928 flush1950 surface1955 to take or pull the wraps off1964 society > leisure > the arts > literature > style of language or writing > copiousness > express copiously [verb (transitive)] > expatiate upon dilate1393 amplifya1400 paraphrase1644 to lay forth1692 to lay forth1692 expatiate1859 c1405 (c1390) G. Chaucer Man of Law's Tale (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 115 Many a subtil reson forth they leyden. 1577 H. I. tr. H. Bullinger 50 Godlie Serm. I. i. i. sig. A.j/2 I will..lay foorthe vnto you..those things, which a godly man ought to thinke. 1633 Bp. J. Hall Plaine Explic. Hard Texts ii. 191 Those wonderful mercies of God, which have been now laid forth unto you. 1665 J. Spencer Disc. Vulgar Prophecies Pref. sig. A3^v, in Disc. Prodigies (ed. 2) The present Undertaking to lay forth the impostures wrapt up in this..instance of Enthusiasm. 1692 R. L'Estrange Fables (1708) xiii. 16 [The Fox] lays himself forth upon the Gracefulness of the Raven's Person [etc.]. †3. To spend, expend, lay out. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ society > trade and finance > management of money > expenditure > spend [verb (transitive)] aspendc885 doOE spendc1175 spenec1175 dispendc1330 bewarec1374 bestow1377 suckc1380 unpursea1393 warea1417 stowc1440 to lay outc1449 spone1456 expend1477 expend1484 impendc1486 ware?a1513 deburse?1529 disburse1530 defray1543 unburse1570 outlay1573 to lay forth1584 sweat1592 vent1612 dispursea1616 exhaust1616 to set forth1622 waste1639 depursea1648 fence1699 douse1759 shut1797 shift1923 1584 in J. Barmby Churchwardens' Accts. Pittington (1888) 16 Item laid forthe by the said churchwardens, the xxvij day of June for fower lams, vjs. ijd. 1633 Bp. J. Hall Plaine Explic. Hard Texts i. 318 Shee shall not..lay up treasure for the inriching of her selfe, but shall distribute it rather, and lay it forth for the benefit..of Gods Saints. 1649 Liberties & Customes of Myners C He shall pay 4s. for the twelve mens dinners, and the Barmaster to lay forth the mony. 4. ? To spread out with a view to ornament; to deck, array. Now dialect. Cf. to lay out 10 at Phrasal verbs. ΚΠ 1656 Disc. Auxiliary Beauty 115 How do they exclaime..against braiding or laying forth, and powdering, or colouring their haire? 1868 J. C. Atkinson Gloss. Cleveland Dial. Laid out, Laid forth, Decked out, arrayed, ‘got up’. to lay in 1. transitive. See simple senses and in n.¹ †to lay in an oar, mentioned as an accompaniment of setting sail; also absol. (in quot. c1300). to lay in the oars: to unship them. ΚΠ c1300 Havelok (Laud) (1868) 718 Sone dede he leyn in an ore, And drou him to þe heye se. c1400 (?c1380) Patience l. 106 Þay layden in on laddeborde & þe lofe wynnes. 1485 W. Caxton tr. Thystorye & Lyf Charles the Grete sig. bvij/2 Whan the thorne was drawen fro the crowne, he took hys syght, and whan it was layed in ageyn he recouuerd his heeryng. 1599 George a Greene sig. E4 [Shoemaker speaks in the road] Stay till I lay in my Tooles. 1769 W. Falconer Universal Dict. Marine Transl. French Terms Leve-rame!, Unship the oars! the order to the rowers to lay in their oars. 1867 W. H. Smyth & E. Belcher Sailor's Word-bk. Lay in the oars, unship them from the rowlocks, and place them fore and aft in the boat. 2. To place in store; to provide oneself with a stock of. Also said of ‘taking in’ food; hence absol. to feed vigorously (now vulgar). †Also occasionally to put stores into, stock (a place). ΘΚΠ the world > food and drink > food > consumption of food or drink > eating > processes or manners of eating > eat via specific process [verb (intransitive)] > eat heartily to lay in1579 to fall aboard——1603 to eat (also work) like a horse1707 to play a good knife and fork1809 tuck1810 stoke1882 to mug up1897 the mind > possession > supply > provide or supply (something) [verb (transitive)] > lay in a supply of to fet ina1556 to lay in1662 store1719 to get in1869 to turn down1891 the mind > possession > supply > provide or supply (something) [verb (transitive)] > provide or supply (a person or thing) with anything > stock (a place, etc.) with something fillOE store1264 pitchc1300 stuffc1386 fretc1400 replete?a1425 enstorea1450 engrange1480 plenish1488 freightc1503 people1581 stocka1640 stack1652 bestore1661 to lay in1662 1579 L. Tomson tr. J. Calvin Serm. Epist. S. Paule to Timothie & Titus 297/2 If a man bee giuen to quaffing and laying in, he careth not..howe other be prouided for. 1625 F. Bacon Ess. (new ed.) 200 And to be Laid in, and Stored vp, and then Deliuered out in Proportion. 1662 W. Gurnall Christian in Armour: 3rd Pt. 179 We see in a Town besieged, though it be well laid in with Corn..what streights they are soon put to. 1677 in Hist. MSS Comm.: 12th Rep.: App. Pt. V: MSS Duke of Rutland (1889) 37 in Parl. Papers (C. 5889–II) XLIV. 393 I have laid you in some beare. 1698 J. Fryer New Acct. E.-India & Persia 246 They observe this Maxim, Always to lay in Ballast, they eating heartily. 1709 J. Addison Tatler No. 131. ⁋3 A great Magazine of Wines that he had laid in before the War. 1855 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. III. xv. 589 The rustic Jacobites were laying in arms. 1864 T. Carlyle Hist. Friedrich II of Prussia IV. xvi. xi. 438 So soon as we have horses, it will not appear strange that we lay in a little hay. 1889 ‘R. Boldrewood’ Robbery under Arms vii Then..the eggs and bacon—my word! how Jim did lay in. †3. To put in (a claim). Also absol. ΘΚΠ society > morality > dueness or propriety > [verb (intransitive)] > put forward a claim claim1303 to call upon ——1472 represent1498 to lay in1603 to lay claim toa1616 title1633 society > morality > dueness or propriety > [verb (transitive)] > claim > make (a claim) to lay in1710 1603 R. Knolles Gen. Hist. Turkes 123 The countie of Tripolis laied in for himselfe, that hee was descended from Raymund of Tholous. 1710 J. Addison Whig Examiner No. 5. ⁋2 After this short preface by which..I lay in my claim to be a Politician, I shall enter on my discourse. 1734 in N. Bouton Provinc. Papers New-Hampsh. (1870) IV. 842 There is a new Church erected at the South end of Boston and they are laying in for Mr. Brown. 1747 tr. Mem. Nutrebian Court I. x. 169 She applied to the then acting ministers, laying in her claim to her principality. †4. intransitive. To scheme or exert oneself to do something. to lay in for: to make one's object, lay oneself out for, exert oneself to gain. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > endeavour > make an attempt or endeavour [verb (intransitive)] > strive or struggle hiec888 to stand inc1175 wrag?c1225 wrestle?c1225 stretcha1375 strivec1384 pressc1390 hitc1400 wring1470 fend15.. battle1502 contend?1518 reluct1526 flichter1528 touse1542 struggle1597 to lay in1599 strain?1606 stickle1613 fork1681 sprattle1786 buffet1824 fight1859 the world > action or operation > endeavour > attempt [verb (transitive)] > attempt to obtain or attain to found toOE keepc1000 seekc1000 throwa1393 minta1400 intentc1450 to try for1534 sue1548 attempt?c1550 reachc1571 assay1595 put1596 to lay in for1599 climba1616 captate1628 court1639 obseek1646 solicit1717 to make a bid for1885 1599 E. Sandys Europæ Speculum (1629) 178 There is scant any office or estate can fall void, but they lay in by all meanes to get into it. 1642 D. Rogers Naaman 502 If thou lay in for faith, come with an heart empty of other thoughts. 1681 J. Dryden Absalom & Achitophel To Rdr. p. i If I happen to please the more Moderate sort, I shall be sure of..the best Judges..And, I confess, I have laid in for those, by rebating the Satyre..from carrying too sharp an Edge. 5. transitive (Agriculture). To enclose or reserve (a meadow) for hay. Cf. to lay up 2 at Phrasal verbs (b). ΘΚΠ the world > food and drink > farming > cultivation or tillage > cultivation of plants or crops > cultivation of specific crops > [verb (transitive)] > crop with grass or hay > close meadow to grow hay to lay in1600 to lay down1608 to shut up1765 to put up1892 1600 Sc. Acts Jas. VI (1816) IV. 228/1 Þatt all persones quha hes teillit..ony pairt..of his maiesteis..or vtheris commounteis..That they within ȝeir & day..lay in the samyn commounteis agane. 1701 W. Kennett Cowell's Interpreter (new ed.) sig. R^vb, at Falcatura Meadows hay'd, or laid in for Hay. 1851 Jrnl. Royal Agric. Soc. 12 ii. 387 The proportion of hay is not great, the meadows are ‘laid in’ in April and May. 6. Horticulture (a) To place in position (the new wood of a trained tree). (b) (See quot. 1898.) ΘΚΠ the world > food and drink > farming > gardening > management of plants > [verb (transitive)] > train rail?1387 trail1398 train?1440 conduct1477 to lay in1802 espalier1810 trellis1818 set1845 1802 W. Forsyth Treat. Fruit-trees ii. 31 It is too common a practice to lay-in the shoots at full length. 1890 R. D. Blackmore Kit & Kitty III. xiv. 185 I can lay a tree in straight enough, but I am out of my line telling things. 1898 Wright & Dewar Johnson's Gardener's Dict. 548/2 Laying-in is a gardener's term for training the branches of espaliers and wall-trees. Laying-in-by-the-heels is his mode of describing a plant's having the roots roughly buried in the soil for some temporary purpose. 7. Printing. (See quot. 1683.) ΚΠ 1683 J. Moxon Mech. Exercises II. Dict. 383 When the Press-man lays Sheets on the Tympan, it is stiled Laying in Sheets. †8. ? To put (hounds) into cover. Obsolete. ΚΠ 1735 W. Somervile Chace ii. 150 Here, Huntsman, bring..all thy jolly Hounds, And calmly lay them in. 9. To paint (a picture or some of its parts) in the first unfinished stage. ΘΚΠ society > leisure > the arts > visual arts > painting and drawing > painting > art of colouring > colour [verb (transitive)] > lay on a colour > lay on preparatory layer dead-colour1658 to lay in1676 1676 C. Beale Pocket-bk. in H. Walpole Vertue's Anecd. Painting (1763) III. i. 74 Moneys paid my son Barth. for work, laying in the draperys of his mother's pictures. a1806 J. Barry in R. N. Wornum Lect. on Painting (1848) 215 Painting upon a darkish ground..will..tend to..destroy the purity..of all your lighter tints, particularly if you do not employ a great body of colour in the laying them in. 1859 G. A. Sala Gaslight & Daylight ii. 24 The whitewasher..is summoned to ‘lay in’ the great masses of colour. 1886 Pall Mall Gaz. 8 Oct. 4/2 An artist ‘laid in’ a picture for an amateur, who muddled on with it for awhile and got it accepted at the Academy, but the artist who had laid the picture in was himself rejected. †10. To lay (a cloth); = sense 35b. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > food and drink > food > setting table > [verb (transitive)] layc1300 spreadc1300 setc1386 servec1405 cover1563 to lay in1788 lie1809 fix1842 1788 G. Colman Ways & Means i. i. 4 The cloth is laid in it for breakfast. †11. To ‘run and fell’ (a seam). Obsolete. ΚΠ 1611 [see to lay down 12 at Phrasal verbs]. 12. To deliver, ‘get in’ (a blow); to shed, ‘turn on’ (tears). ΘΚΠ the world > movement > impact > striking > strike [verb (transitive)] > deal or give (a stroke or blow) setc1300 smitec1300 layc1330 drivec1380 slentc1380 hit?a1400 to lay ona1400 reacha1400 fetchc1400 depart1477 warpc1480 throw1488 lenda1500 serve1561 wherret1599 senda1627 lunge1735 to lay in1809 wreak1817 to get in1834 1809 B. H. Malkin tr. A. R. Le Sage Adventures Gil Blas I. ii. ii. 188 Jacintha was by his bed-side, laying in her tears by wholesale. 1809 B. H. Malkin tr. A. R. Le Sage Adventures Gil Blas III. vii. i. 17 I had no sooner laid in this home stroke [etc.]. 1864 T. Carlyle Hist. Friedrich II of Prussia IV. xv. xiii. 204 A sharp brush of fighting; not great in quantity, but laid in at the right moment. 13. To discontinue working (a colliery). Also, to withdraw from use, render inactive. ΘΚΠ society > occupation and work > industry > mining > mine [verb (transitive)] > discontinue working (a colliery) to lay in1846 1846 M. A. Richardson Local Historian's Table-bk. V. 78 Several collieries having been laid in this day. 1894 Standard 25 Apr. 6/5 The effect of the Bill would be, they believed, to lay in one-fifth of all that capital. 1896 Daily News 28 Sept. 7/5 The miners at Haswell Colliery, county Durham, finished bringing their gear to bank on Saturday, and the pits are now laid in. 14. intransitive (Nautical) To come in from the yards after reefing or furling. (Cf. lie in at to lie in 3 at lie v.¹ Phrasal verbs.) ΚΠ 1860 H. Stuart Novice's or Young Seaman's Catech. (rev. ed.) 46 The outside men will lay out and unclamp the booms,..then lay in again. to lay off †1. transitive. To take off, take away; to put off or remove from oneself. ΘΚΠ the world > space > place > removal or displacement > remove or displace [verb (transitive)] > remove or take away ateec885 withbreidec890 animOE overbearOE to do awayOE flitc1175 reavec1175 takec1175 to have away?a1300 to draw awayc1300 weve13.. to wend awaya1325 withdrawa1325 remuec1325 to carry away1363 to take away1372 waive1377 to long awaya1382 oftakec1390 to draw offa1398 to do froa1400 forflitc1420 amove?a1425 to carry out?a1425 surtrayc1440 surtretec1440 twistc1440 abstract1449 ostea1450 remove1459 ablatea1475 araisea1475 redd1479 dismove1480 diminish?1504 convey1530 alienate1534 retire1536 dimove1540 reversec1540 subtractc1540 submove1542 sublate1548 pare1549 to pull in1549 exempt1553 to shift off1567 retract?1570 renversec1586 aufer1587 to lay offa1593 rear1596 retrench1596 unhearse1596 exemea1600 remote1600 to set off1600 subduct1614 rob1627 extraneize1653 to bring off1656 to pull back1656 draft1742 extract1804 reef1901 the world > space > place > removal or displacement > remove or displace [verb (transitive)] > remove or take away > from the position of being on latcha1225 off-wevec1300 to take offa1400 to get off1577 to lay offa1593 daff1609 off1826 the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > providing with clothing > undressing or removing clothing > undress or remove clothing [verb (transitive)] > take off clothing to do offeOE to lay downc1275 to weve offc1290 stripc1320 doffa1375 loose1382 ofdrawa1393 casta1400 to take offa1400 warpa1400 to cast offc1400 to catch offc1400 waivec1400 voidc1407 to put off?a1425 to wap offc1440 to lay from, offc1480 despoil1483 to pull offc1500 slip1535 devest1566 to shift off1567 daff1609 discuss1640 to lay off1699 strip1762 douse1780 shuffle1837 derobe1841 shed1858 skin1861 peel1888 pull1888 the world > space > relative position > condition of being external > covering > uncovering > uncover or remove covering from [verb (transitive)] > uncover and expose > by withdrawing a cloth, etc. unlapa1450 unclothe1607 unveil1657 to lay off1699 divest1814 a1593 C. Marlowe Massacre at Paris (c1600) sig. B4 Thou traitor Guise, lay of thy bloudy hand. 1628 H. Reynolds tr. T. Tasso Aminta i. i. sig. B4 Stay for me till I haue in yon fresh fount Layd off the sweat and dust that yesterday I soyld me with. a1631 J. Donne Serm. (1959) V. 170 Saint Gregory says, that the soule had laid off..all outward ornaments. 1699 A. Boyer Royal Dict. (at cited word) To lay off a Garment, Quitter un habit. 1919 H. L. Wilson Ma Pettengill ii. 46 She took me up to her little bedroom to lay my things off and then down to the parlour. †2. Nautical. To steer (a ship) away from the shore. Also intransitive, to remain stationary outside a harbour. ΘΚΠ society > travel > travel by water > directing or managing a ship > direct or manage ship [verb (transitive)] > set a ship's course > sail away from shore to lay offa1616 society > travel > travel by water > directing or managing a ship > direct or manage ship [verb (intransitive)] > head in a certain course or direction > remain (stationary) away from shore or ship to lie off1598 to lay off1781 a1616 W. Shakespeare Tempest (1623) i. i. 47 Lay her a hold, a hold, set her two courses off to Sea againe, lay her off. View more context for this quotation 1781 T. Jefferson Corr. in Wks. (1859) I. 291 Eight of them had got over the bar, and many others were laying off. 3. To mark or separate off (plots of ground, etc.); to plot out land in some way or for some purpose. ΘΚΠ the world > the earth > land > tract > [verb (transitive)] > mark, plot out, divide up land to lay off1748 1748 G. Washington Jrnl. 30 Mar. This Morning began our Intended business of Laying of [f] Lots. 1762 A. Dickson Treat. Agric. iii. vi. 351 Laying off land, after a very few crops of corn, into grass for pasture. 1795 J. Phillips Gen. Hist. Inland Navigation (rev. ed.) 357 The partial hand of nature has laid off America upon a much larger scale than any other part of the world. 1801 A. Ranken Hist. France I. 442 They..directed that the streets should be laid off obliquely. 1847 Jrnl. Royal Agric. Soc. 8 ii. 370 Care must be taken..to lay off the land in broad flats. 1890 Harper's Mag. Nov. 870/2 Laying parterres off in fanciful designs with little shells. 4. To ‘set off’ (distances) upon a surface. ΚΠ 1797 Encycl. Brit. XVII. 393/2 Lay off the dimensions of the waste rail found in the table; and..draw a line [etc.]. 1859 J. Ruskin Elements Perspective xvii. 79 The dividing points..will lay off distances on the retiring inclined line. 1882 G. M. Minchin Uniplanar Kinematics 2 By laying off the different times along Ox. 5. Shipbuilding. To transfer (plans) from the paper in the full size on the floor of the mould-loft. ΚΠ 1863 P. Barry Dockyard Econ. 139 The chief draftsman and his assistants ‘lay off’, or draw all the lines on the mould-loft floor, to the full size. 1893 Field 25 Feb. 297/2 I..advise that the boat be ‘laid off’ at full size and batten-faired. 6. Originally dialect and U.S. To discontinue; to discontinue the working of; to dismiss (a workman), usually temporarily. Also intransitive, to take a rest. ΘΚΠ society > occupation and work > lack of work > [verb (transitive)] > dismiss or discharge to put awaya1387 discharge1428 dismiss1477 to put out of wages1542 discard1589 to turn away1602 to put off1608 disemploy1619 to pay off1648 to pay off1651 to turn out1667 to turn off1676 quietus1688 strip1756 trundle1794 unshop1839 shopc1840 to lay off1841 sack1841 drop1845 to give (a person) the shoot1846 bag1848 swap1862 fire1879 to knock off1881 bounce1884 to give (a person) the pushc1886 to give (a person) the boot or the order of the boot1888 bump1899 spear1911 to strike (a medical practitioner, etc.) off the register1911 terminate1920 tramp1941 shitcan1961 pink slip1966 dehire1970 resize1975 to give a person his jotters1990 the world > action or operation > ceasing > temporary cessation of activity or operation > temporarily cease activity or operation [verb (intransitive)] > rest restOE to hang up one's hatcheta1350 to latch one's ease, one's leave1377 sabbatize1382 roc1460 repose1494 repause1526 respire1566 respite1587 requiesce1653 to rest (also lie) on one's oars1726 to lay off1841 to rest up1858 spell1880 to lie off1891 society > occupation and work > work > times or periods of work > work at specific times or periods [verb (transitive)] > stop (work) to lay off1841 strike1891 the world > action or operation > ceasing > cease from (an action or operation) [verb (transitive)] > cause to cease or put a stop to > cause (a thing) to cease action > discontinue the working of to lay off1841 1841 Jrnl. Royal Agric. Soc. 2 ii. 181 It is removed at intervals, chiefly in frost, when ploughing is laid off. 1863 W. Whitman Specimen Days (1882–3) 41 Some of the men are cleaning their sabres.., some brushing boots; some laying off, reading, writing. 1868 J. C. Atkinson Gloss. Cleveland Dial. Laid off, applied to a person who from illness or other disablement is incapable of working as usual. 1886 H. James Bostonians I. iii. 26 She would expect him to be strenuous in return; but he couldn't—in private life, he couldn't; privacy for Basil Ransom consisted entirely in what he called ‘laying off’. 1888 Daily News 17 Sept. 2/7 One of the leading works in the district at Darlington has been laid off by a strike. 1892 Nation (N.Y.) 25 Aug. 135/1 To give notice of intention to ‘lay off’ any hands in their employ. 1897 W. D. Howells Landlord Lion's Head 65 When the husbands come up Saturday nights, they don't want to go on a tramp Sundays. They want to lay off and rest. 1955 Times 6 June 7/2 But in the course of this week stocks in some factories will begin to run out. Workers will have to be laid off. 1970 G. Greer Female Eunuch 242 The lowest paid employees can be and are laid off. 1972 Daily Tel. 1 Feb. 2/7 A pay strike by 500 clerical workers..has caused the company to lay off 2,500 car assembly workers. 7. (See quot. 1901.) ΘΚΠ society > occupation and work > industry > decorating and painting > decorate [verb (transitive)] > paint > other painting processes to lay off1901 roller coat1935 paint-spray1967 rag-roll1969 1901 J. Black Illustr. Carpenter & Builder Ser.: Home Handicrafts 43 What painters term ‘laying off’, that is to say, going over the work with the brush uncharged with paint and with strokes all in one direction. 1945 C. H. Eaton in Practical Painter & Decorator iii. 90 The laying off should be vertical, that is, from ceiling to floor.. on walls, and parallel with the main source of light on ceilings. 1951 Good Housek. Home Encycl. 65/1 Do not attempt to ‘lay off’ or brush out the distemper as with paint or varnish. 1963 W. Tee Painting & Decorating x. 77 Finally, you lay-off, which means brushing in the direction of the grain if you are painting wood, or in the longest direction if you are painting a metal gutter or pipe. 8. To desist from (doing something); to abstain from or stop using (something); to stop bothering or pestering (a person). Also intransitive, frequently as imperative: cut it out! stop it! ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > ceasing > cease from (an action or operation) [verb (transitive)] aswikec975 linOE beleavec1175 forletc1175 i-swikec1175 restc1175 stutte?c1225 lina1300 blinc1314 to give overc1325 to do wayc1350 stintc1366 finisha1375 leavea1375 yleavec1380 to leave offa1382 refuse1389 ceasec1410 resigna1413 respite?a1439 relinquish1454 surcease1464 discontinue1474 unfill1486 supersede1499 desist1509 to have ado?1515 stop1525 to lay aside1530 stay1538 quata1614 to lay away1628 sist1635 quita1642 to throw up1645 to lay by1709 to come off1715 unbuckle1736 peter1753 to knock off1767 stash1794 estop1796 stow1806 cheese1811 to chuck itc1879 douse1887 nark1889 to stop off1891 stay1894 sling1902 can1906 to lay off1908 to pack in1934 to pack up1934 to turn in1938 to break down1941 to tie a can to (or on)1942 to jack in1948 to wrap it up1949 1908 R. Kipling Lett. to Family ii. 17 The railways..had to find room somewhere..before Nature cried: ‘Lay off!’ 1919 Amer. Mag. May 42/2 If you guys don't lay off of me I'll bounce the two of you. 1919 Saucy Stories Aug. 107/2 She..resolved to ‘lay off the bright lights in the future’. 1930 D. Hammett Maltese Falcon xviii. 221 Make him lay off me then. I'm going to fog him if he keeps it up. 1931 E. Linklater Juan in Amer. iii. vii. 259 Lay off that ritzy laugh or I'll sock you. 1934 J. Agate More First Nights (1937) 59 You would think, wouldn't you, that Josephine, having done enough in the way of arousing suspicion, would lay off a little. 1934 P. G. Wodehouse Right ho, Jeeves vi. 60 Lay off the sausages. Avoid the ham. 1936 P. G. Wodehouse Laughing Gas iv. 49 That's all she's after—the title. For heaven's sake, Reggie, lay off while there's still time. 1946 K. Tennant Lost Haven (1947) xix. 316 ‘For God's sake, shut up!.. Lay off, Alec, lay off.’ Alec laid off. 1947 ‘N. Shute’ Chequer Board 62 Aw, lay off, Jim.—You're not in the South now. 1953 J. Trench Docken Dead ii. 21 How does one set about telling one's senior officer to lay off one's friend's wife? 1968 M. Richler in R. Weaver Canad. Short Stories 2nd ser. 160 ‘Oh, lay off,’ my father said. ‘Give the man air.’ 1974 D. Gray Dead Give Away vi. 65 I'd lay off stirring up trouble for a bit if I were you. 9. To dispose of, ‘work off’. ΚΠ 1926 J. Black You can't Win x. 130 I was sent out with about seventy-five dollars in silver coin to lay off for paper or gold. 10. Nautical and Aeronautics. To indicate (on a chart, etc.), to work out (a course). Cf. course n. 12. ΘΚΠ society > travel > travel by water > directing or managing a ship > direct or manage ship [verb (transitive)] > work out a course to lay off1942 society > travel > air or space travel > action of flying (in) aircraft > navigation of course of aircraft > navigate aircraft [verb (transitive)] > work out course on chart to lay off1942 1942 Tee Emm (Air Ministry) 2 83 Always lay off Q.D.M.'s and Q.D.Y.'s as true bearings on your chart. 1943 ‘T. Dudley-Gordon’ Coastal Command 17 Drawing pencil lines which lay off courses of ships and aircraft, and indicate areas under patrol or to be searched. 1961 F. H. Burgess Dict. Sailing 131 Lay off a course, work out a proposed course on a chart. 11. Of a bookmaker: to insure against a substantial loss resulting from (a large bet) by placing a similar bet with another bookmaker. ΘΚΠ society > leisure > entertainment > pastimes > betting > bet on [verb (transitive)] > insure a bet to lay off1951 1951 E. Kefauver Crime in Amer. (1952) xvi. 184 The Nevada bookies also protect themselves by laying off their biggest bets with out-of-state operators. 1974 New Yorker 25 Feb. 72 An outside man..runs along the line of bookies and keeps an eye on the odds and lays off some of the money. to lay on 1. transitive. To impose (an injunction, penalty, tax); †to bestow (a name) upon. (In early use with dative pronoun as in 2.) ΘΚΠ society > authority > command > command or bidding > command [verb (transitive)] > impose setc888 layOE to lay on11.. enjoin?c1225 join1303 adjoina1325 cark1330 taxa1375 puta1382 impose1581 aggravate1583 fasten1585 clap1609 levy1863 octroy1865 society > authority > subjection > obedience > compulsion > compel [verb (transitive)] > force or impose something upon to lay on11.. join1303 taxa1375 intruse?a1500 oversetc1500 beforcec1555 impose1581 threap1582 fasten1585 intrude1592 thrust1597 enforcea1616 forcea1616 entail1670 top1682 trump1694 push1723 coerce1790 press1797 inflict1809 levy1863 octroy1865 wish1915 the mind > language > naming > give a name to [verb (transitive)] > give (a name) setc1000 shapeOE to lay onc1450 imposec1500 clap1609 11.. Anglo-Saxon Chron. anno 1052 (Laud) Þe folc geald heom swa mycel swa hi heom on legden. c1175 Lamb. Hom. 31 Bluðeliche he wule herkein þet þe preost him leið on. a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 3994 Sal ic non wurð mugen forð-don, Vten ðat god me leið on. c1450 H. Lovelich Merlin 988 (Kölbing) What name they scholden leyn hym vppon. 1813 Gentleman's Mag. May 429/2 I think laying on a tax would greatly enrich the public purse. 1833 Act 3 & 4 William IV c. 46 §64 The meeting is for the purpose of laying on an assessment. 1881 S. R. Gardiner & J. B. Mullinger Introd. Study Eng. Hist. i. x. 185 Charles I had used the special powers entrusted to him..to lay on ship-money. 2. intransitive. To deal blows with vigour; to make vigorous attack, assail. (Formerly often with dative pronoun denoting the object of attack.) ΘΚΠ society > armed hostility > attack > attack [verb (intransitive)] to lay ona1225 assailc1325 sailc1330 assemblea1375 to fall inc1384 to fall ona1387 givec1430 brunt1440 to set (all) on sevenc1440 to ding on1487 to fall down1534 offend1540 to go on1553 to give on?1611 to let fly1611 strikea1616 insult1638 to set on1670 aggress1708 to carry the war into the enemy's camp1791 hop over1929 the world > movement > impact > striking > beating or repeated striking > beat [verb (intransitive)] > specifically a person to lay ona1225 to dust a person's jacket1630 to brush one's coat for him1665 to give (one) sock(s)1699 pepper1829 lam1875 beast1990 a1225 Juliana 17 Leggeð on se luðerliche on hire leofliche lich. c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 6840 Mid sweorde leggeð [c1300 Otho legge] heom on. c1330 Arth. & Merl. 8445 (Kölbing) He laid on wiþ schourge and bad hir go. c1380 Sir Ferumbras (1879) l. 1533 Lokeaþ þat ȝe legge hem an & sleþ hem a-doun wyþ myȝt. a1420 T. Hoccleve De Regimine Principum 1102 He dremeth theeues comen in And on his cofres knokke, & leye on faste. 1480 W. Caxton Chron. Eng. (1482) ccxliv. 299 Our men of armes..leyde on with stakes. 1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 601/2 Laye on, lay on upon the jade. 1598 R. Grenewey tr. Tacitus Annales i. viii. 14 They..laide them on with stripes. a1616 W. Shakespeare Macbeth (1623) v. x. 33 Lay on Macduffe, And damn'd be him, that first cries hold, enough. View more context for this quotation 1693 J. Dryden tr. Juvenal in J. Dryden et al. tr. Juvenal Satires iii. 51 Answer, or Answer not, 'tis all the same: He lays me on, and makes me bear the blame. 1697 J. Vanbrugh Provok'd Wife iv. 51 He came at us..and laid us on with a great Quarter-Staff. 1836 F. Marryat Mr. Midshipman Easy I. xii. 182 The pleasure of thrashing his enemy..was quite enough—and he laid well on. 1842 T. B. Macaulay Battle Lake Regillus in Lays Anc. Rome 117 I will lay on for Tusculum, And lay thou on for Rome! 1882 E. A. Freeman in W. R. W. Stephens Life & Lett. E. A. Freeman (1895) II. 267 I fancy people will lay on more zealously for either of the extremes. 3. transitive. To inflict (blows); to ply (the lash) vigorously. Also to lay it on (in quot. figurative). ΘΚΠ the world > movement > impact > striking > strike [verb (transitive)] > deal or give (a stroke or blow) setc1300 smitec1300 layc1330 drivec1380 slentc1380 hit?a1400 to lay ona1400 reacha1400 fetchc1400 depart1477 warpc1480 throw1488 lenda1500 serve1561 wherret1599 senda1627 lunge1735 to lay in1809 wreak1817 to get in1834 a1400 Octovian 1061 Ley on strokes with good empryse. 14.. Libeaus Desconus 2056 (Kaluza) Ley on strokes swifte. 1619 F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher King & No King iv. sig. H1 You haue paid me equall Heauens, And sent my owne rod to correct me with..Lay it on, Iustice, till my soule melt in me. 1656 R. Baxter Reformed Pastor iii. i We disgrace them to the utmost, and lay it on as plainly as we can speak. 1732 H. Fielding Mock Doctor viii Those blows..which I was oblig'd to have the honour of laying on so thick upon you. 1892 Field 26 Nov. 799/3 A stirrup leather well laid on. †4. intransitive. To set oneself vigorously (to do something). ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > undertaking > beginning action or activity > begin action or activity [verb (intransitive)] > resolutely or energetically to go to it1490 busklea1535 settle1576 to lay on1587 to put in (also get into) one's gearsa1658 to put (occasionally lay, set) one's shoulder to the wheel1678 yark1721 to get going1822 to pitch in1835 to roll up one's sleeves1838 square1849 to clap on1850 to wire in (also away)1864 to dig in1884 hunker1903 tie into1904 to get cracking1937 to get stuck in1938 to get weaving1942 to get it on1954 1587 G. Turberville Tragicall Tales f. 20^v The hungry dogs..Layde on as fast her fleshye flankes to teare. 5. to lay (it) on: †(a) to be lavish in expense (obsolete); (b) to pile on the charge for goods, etc. ΘΚΠ society > trade and finance > charges > [verb (intransitive)] > make excessive charges to lay it ona1593 to stick it into1797 to put it on1843 society > trade and finance > management of money > expenditure > waste of money or extravagance > spend money wastefully or extravagantly [verb (intransitive)] to lay on load?1562 lavish1567 to bring one's noble to ninepence1568 to lay it ona1593 overspend1857 plunge1876 splash1934 splurge1934 a1593 C. Marlowe Edward II (1594) sig. F4 Thou shalt haue crownes of vs, t'out bid the Barons; And Spenser, spare them not, but lay it on. 1609 W. Shakespeare Troilus & Cressida i. ii. 203 Thers no iesting, thers laying on, takt off, who will as they say, there be hacks. View more context for this quotation 1611 R. Cotgrave Dict. French & Eng. Tongues Cocher sur la grosse taille, (as wee say) to lay it on, (take it off who as will;) to spend, or borrow, exceeding much. 1612 Sir C. Mountagu in Buccleuch MSS (Hist. MSS Comm.) (1899) I. 239 Here is..much preparations at this wedding for masks..one of eight lords and eight ladies, whereof my cousin An Dudley on[e], and two from the Inner Courts, who the[y] say will lay it on. a1616 W. Shakespeare Tempest (1623) iii. ii. 154 I would I could see this Taborer, He layes it on . View more context for this quotation 1699 A. Boyer Royal Dict. (at cited word) I had a good Fortune, and laid on to some Tune, as long as it lasted. 6. To apply a coat of (paint, varnish, etc.) to a surface. Hence in to lay (it) on thick, with a trowel, to be excessive in flattery, eulogy, etc. ΘΚΠ society > occupation and work > industry > decorating and painting > decorate [verb (transitive)] > paint > apply coat of paint dispaint1590 to lay ona1616 a1616 W. Shakespeare As you like It (1623) i. ii. 99 Well said, that was laid on with a trowell. View more context for this quotation a1616 W. Shakespeare Twelfth Night (1623) i. v. 229 Tis beauty truly blent, whose red and white, Natures owne sweet, and cunning hand laid on . View more context for this quotation a1616 W. Shakespeare Winter's Tale (1623) v. iii. 49. 1660 F. Brooke tr. V. Le Blanc World Surveyed 379 Pulverized Gold lay'd on with gumme. 1839 Penny Cycl. XIII. 95/1 The colours are tempered with oil and varnish, and the metallic powders laid on with gold size. 1842 J. Gwilt Encycl. Archit. ii. iii. 587 All the first coats of plastering are laid on with this tool. 1871 B. Jowett in tr. Plato Dialogues II. 43 Dyers first prepare the white ground and then lay on the dye of purple. 1893 Law Times 94 452/1 It is nauseous to hear the adulation of Mr. Neville, who laid butter on with a spade. 7. Agriculture. Of cattle: To ‘put on’, increase in (flesh); also absol. ΘΚΠ the world > animals > mammals > group Ungulata (hoofed) > group Ruminantia (sheep, goats, cows, etc.) > bos taurus or ox > [verb (transitive)] > put on weight to lay on1807 1807 R. Southey Lett. from Eng. I. v. 58 All the fat being laid on, as graziers speak, anew. 1808 C. Vancouver Gen. View Agric. Devon viii. 229 This animal would lay on from the middle of May until the middle of November, about two score per quarter. 1840 Jrnl. Royal Agric. Soc. 1 iii. 333 Well-bred sheep..lay on flesh quick. 8. Printing. To place the sheets of paper on the type to be printed. †Hence, to print an edition of (so many copies); intransitive of a bookseller, ? to bespeak a number of copies from a printer (obsolete). ΚΠ 1576 in E. Arber Transcript Reg. Company of Stationers 1554–1640 (1875) II. 137 Licenced vnto him the praise of follie to print not aboue xv^c of any impression with this condicon that any of the cumpany may laie on with him reasonablie at euery impression as they think good. 1683 J. Moxon Mech. Exercises II. Dict. 383 Lay on, a phrase used for the Number of Books to be Printed. Thus they say, There is 1000, 2000, 3000, &c. Laid on. 1849 Chambers's Information for People (new ed.) II. 720/1 No alteration has been made in the manner of ‘laying on’ the paper. 9. To put (dogs) on the scent. Cf. 15h. Also transferred in jocular use. ΘΚΠ the world > food and drink > hunting > hunting with hounds > hunt with hounds [verb (transitive)] > put on scent re-lay1590 to put (formerly also lay) (a dog) on the scenta1616 to lay on1655 put1673 to throw in1686 to cast hounds1781 lay1781 to throw on1815 1655 T. Fuller Church-hist. Brit. iii. 53 Such hounds are easier laid on, then either rated, or hollowed off. 1861 C. Dickens Great Expectations III. iv. 68 How long we might have remained in this ridiculous position it is impossible to say, but for the incursion of three thriving farmers—laid on by the waiter, I think—who came into the coffee-room. 1861 W. M. Thackeray Four Georges iv. 186 But now I am ashamed to mount and lay good dogs on, to summon a full field, and then to hunt the poor game. 1863 C. Kingsley Water-babies ii. 68 Bring the dog here, and lay him on. 1879 G. A. Sala Paris herself Again I. xvii. 276 The oldest waiters..had seemingly been ‘laid on’ to attend on the guests. 1891 Field 7 Nov. 696/2 No horsemen got forward with the stag before the hounds were laid on. †10. To trim, embroider. Cf. to lay down 12 at Phrasal verbs. Also, to place (thread) on a material before couching it down with a separate thread. ΘΚΠ the world > textiles and clothing > textiles > textile manufacture > manufacture textile fabric or that which consists of > sewing or ornamenting textile fabric > sew or ornament textile fabric [verb (transitive)] > trim to lay on1563 to lay down1611 the world > textiles and clothing > textiles > textile manufacture > manufacture textile fabric or that which consists of > sewing or ornamenting textile fabric > sew or ornament textile fabric [verb (transitive)] > embroider or ornament with sewing > in other ways couchc1405 clock1521 nerve1532 re-embroider1659 herringbone1787 hem-stitcha1839 wavela1844 to lay on1880 darn1882 faggot1883 feather-stitch1884 overcast1891 clox1922 needlepoint1975 1563 J. Foxe Actes & Monuments 1668/2 His ierkin was layde on with gold lace fayre and braue. 1880 L. Higgin Handbk. Embroidery i. 8 ‘Japanese gold thread’..must..be laid on, and stitched down with a fine yellow silk. 1906 A. G. I. Christie Embroidery & Tapestry Weaving viii. 166 A bunch of threads may be laid upon the material, and an open chain, buttonhole, or feather stitch worked over in order to fix it in place.] 1959 Chambers's Encycl. V. 155/2 Couching or laid work is a form in which the threads are ‘laid’ on material and couched down with matching or contrasting colour. 11. To provide for the supply of (water, gas, etc.) through pipes from a reservoir; to provide (a telephone line). Hence, to make arrangements for, to provide (refreshments, entertainment, transport, etc.). ΘΚΠ the mind > possession > supply > provide or supply (something) [verb (transitive)] affordOE findOE purveyc1300 chevise1340 ministera1382 upholda1417 supply1456 suppeditate1535 perfurnishc1540 previse1543 subminister1576 tend1578 fourd1581 instaurate1583 to find out1600 suffice1626 subministrate1633 affurnisha1641 apply1747 to stump up1833 to lay on1845 to come up with1858 the mind > possession > supply > provide or supply (something) [verb (transitive)] > make provision of > provide a public utility to lay on1845 1845 Punch 1 Mar. 100/1 Announcing that the water was going to be laid on when it wasn't. 1853 Jrnl. Royal Agric. Soc. 14 i. 153 The water being laid on distributed itself beautifully and evenly over the surface. 1861 Temple Bar 3 23 Fifteen shillings an hour, to say nothing of refreshments laid on gratis and supplied at discretion. 1869 E. A. Parkes Man. Pract. Hygiene (ed. 3) 319 Water in large quantities must be laid on in pipes. 1869 St. Andrews Gaz. 7 Aug. The special wires which the Scotch papers have ‘laid on’ between London and Edinburgh. 1870 C. Dickens Edwin Drood xxii. 170 There is two bedrooms..with gas laid on. 1885 List of Subscribers Exchange Syst. (United Telephone Co.) (ed. 6) 17 At ‘The Clarendon’ in Brighton..they have a telephone laid on. 1909 Chambers's Jrnl. July 477/2 A large supply of hydrogen prepared by a new process is laid on for inflation. 1940 C. Gardner A.A.S.F. 84 Squadron Leader Dodds..said that he'd got my programme..laid on. ‘Laid on’ was the Army term for everything—and I found myself using it. 1944 N. Coward Middle East Diary 103 I was unable to give a concert as the piano..had not been ‘laid on’. 1949 Punch 13 May 636/2 Universities do not exist to lay on degree courses to follow the idiosyncratic requirements of a particular employer. 1959 ‘J. Welcome’ Stop at Nothing ix. 139 As usual he had everything laid on and a car was waiting. 1964 E. O'Brien Girls in Married Bliss vi. 51 He'd have some hatchet-voiced secretary laid on to tell Kate some boring and familiar lie, like that he was in conference. 1971 B. W. Aldiss Soldier Erect 185 Pack your night things in a small pack and get weaving, while I lay on transport. 1973 E. Page Fortnight by Sea xvi. 177 Try and lay some coffee on. Plenty of it. Good and strong. 12. To give (something) to (a person). U.S. slang. ΘΚΠ the mind > possession > giving > give [verb (transitive)] forgivec900 giveOE besetc1230 deala1250 i-yevec1275 to give (requite, etc.) into one's bosomc1386 yarka1400 wevec1400 yatec1400 administera1425 bequeathc1440 employa1492 exhibit1548 communicate1553 endue1587 cast1612 hand1650 to lay on1942 1942 Amer. Mercury July 86 Lay de skin on me [shake hands], pal! 1952 G. Mandel Flee Angry Strangers 244 He lays some on his buddies 'n they get to like it; right, Buster? 1960 Time & Tide 24 Dec. 1599/3 I've fixed up a real wild basket of ribs and a bottle of juice, and I'd like you to fall by her joint and lay it on her. 1968 New Yorker 18 May 45/2 He..took out a copy of his newest album. He wrote something on the back of it and picked up one of the hotel bills. ‘Let me just lay this album on the man downstairs. Maybe it'll keep him quiet for two or three days.’ 1970 It 9 Apr. 8/4 Of course you can't lay advice on someone. to lay out 1. transitive. To extend at length; to take out and expose to view, to the air, etc.; to spread out in order; to lay so as to project outwards. ΘΚΠ the world > space > extension in space > extend [verb (transitive)] > stretch out stretchc900 astretchc1000 i-stretchec1000 thinc1000 to-tightc1200 reacha1300 spreada1382 extendc1386 to lay outa1400 streeka1400 outstretcha1425 rekea1425 stentc1430 outreach?1440 inch out1878 the world > space > place > removal or displacement > extraction > extract [verb (transitive)] > bring out > and expose to lay outa1400 bust1896 the world > space > relative position > condition of being external > covering > uncovering > uncover or remove covering from [verb (transitive)] > uncover and expose unwryc825 bareOE unhelec1000 uncoverc1390 disclosea1393 to lay outa1400 unhidea1400 declose14.. unbare1530 discover1563 imbear1657 fleece1667 unfence1715 to lay bare1807 to open out1832 strip1839 expose1851 the world > space > shape > unevenness > projection or prominence > project from (something) [verb (transitive)] > cause to project or stretch forth straightc1400 protend?a1475 shoot1533 raise1568 to set out1573 project1624 protrude1638 to start out1653 penthouse1655 portend1657 to throw out1689 obtend1697 to lay out1748 bumfle1832 out-thrust1855 rank1867 the world > space > relative position > arrangement or fact of being arranged > arrange [verb (transitive)] stightc825 fadec1020 orderc1225 adightc1275 dightc1275 castc1320 raila1350 form1362 stightlea1375 rayc1380 informa1382 disposea1387 throwc1390 addressa1393 shifta1400 rengea1425 to set forth?c1450 rule1488 rummage1544 marshalc1547 place1548 suit1552 dispone1558 plat1587 enrange1590 draw1663 range1711 arrange1791 to lay out1848 a1400–50 Alexander 778 He layd owt a lang neke & hys hand likkys. a1513 W. Dunbar Poems (1998) I. 183 Now spring vp, flouris, fra the rute..Lay out ȝour levis lustely. 1535 in Vicary's Anat. Bodie of Man (1888) App. iii. 171 That they may have warnyng to lay owt theyre offall of theyre howses ynto the opon streates. 1580 Sir P. Sidney tr. Psalmes David x. vi O, with how simple look He ofte laieth out his hook! 1619 R. Harris Drunkards Cup 21 They bee buckt with drinke, and then laid out to bee Sunn'd and scornd. 1683 J. Moxon Mech. Exercises II. Dict. 383 Lay out Sheets, When the Press-man takes Sheets off the Tympan, and lays them on the Heap, it is stiled Laying out Sheets. 1748 B. Robins & R. Walter Voy. round World by Anson iii. v. 341 There is a frame laid out from her to windward. 1835 J. Ross Narr. Second Voy. North-west Passage xxxiii. 467 Laying out hawsers to warp her off when this should take place. 1848 W. M. Thackeray Pendennis (1850) I. i. 2 His letters were laid out there in expectation of his arrival. 1859 H. T. Ellis Hong Kong to Manilla 239 Refreshments..were laid out in an adjoining room. 1890 A. Conan Doyle Firm of Girdlestone xxxiii. 265 The deal table..was laid out roughly as for a meal. 2. To stretch out and prepare (a body) for burial; hence (slang) to stretch out in death, to lay low, to ‘do for’; figurative to put ‘hors de combat’; to knock (a person) unconscious; to kill. ΘΚΠ the world > life > death > disposal of corpse > preparation or treatment of corpse > prepare corpse [verb (transitive)] > lay out stretcha1225 streek1303 to lay out1595 composea1677 straight1725 stroke1898 the world > life > death > killing > kill [verb (transitive)] swevec725 quelmeOE slayc893 quelleOE of-falleOE ofslayeOE aquellc950 ayeteeOE spillc950 beliveOE to bring (also do) of (one's) life-dayOE fordoa1000 forfarea1000 asweveOE drepeOE forleseOE martyrOE to do (also i-do, draw) of lifeOE bringc1175 off-quellc1175 quenchc1175 forswelta1225 adeadc1225 to bring of daysc1225 to do to deathc1225 to draw (a person) to deathc1225 murder?c1225 aslayc1275 forferec1275 to lay to ground, to earth (Sc. at eird)c1275 martyrc1300 strangle1303 destroya1325 misdoa1325 killc1330 tailc1330 to take the life of (also fro)c1330 enda1340 to kill to (into, unto) death1362 brittena1375 deadc1374 to ding to deathc1380 mortifya1382 perisha1387 to dight to death1393 colea1400 fella1400 kill out (away, down, up)a1400 to slay up or downa1400 swelta1400 voida1400 deliverc1400 starvec1425 jugylc1440 morta1450 to bring to, on, or upon (one's) bierc1480 to put offc1485 to-slaya1500 to make away with1502 to put (a person or thing) to silencec1503 rida1513 to put downa1525 to hang out of the way1528 dispatch?1529 strikea1535 occidea1538 to firk to death, (out) of lifec1540 to fling to deathc1540 extinct1548 to make out of the way1551 to fet offa1556 to cut offc1565 to make away?1566 occise1575 spoil1578 senda1586 to put away1588 exanimate1593 unmortalize1593 speed1594 unlive1594 execute1597 dislive1598 extinguish1598 to lay along1599 to make hence1605 conclude1606 kill off1607 disanimate1609 feeze1609 to smite, stab in, under the fifth rib1611 to kill dead1615 transporta1616 spatch1616 to take off1619 mactate1623 to make meat of1632 to turn up1642 inanimate1647 pop1649 enecate1657 cadaverate1658 expedite1678 to make dog's meat of1679 to make mincemeat of1709 sluice1749 finisha1753 royna1770 still1778 do1780 deaden1807 deathifyc1810 to lay out1829 cool1833 to use up1833 puckeroo1840 to rub out1840 cadaverize1841 to put under the sod1847 suicide1852 outkill1860 to fix1875 to put under1879 corpse1884 stiffen1888 tip1891 to do away with1899 to take out1900 stretch1902 red-light1906 huff1919 to knock rotten1919 skittle1919 liquidate1924 clip1927 to set over1931 creasea1935 ice1941 lose1942 to put to sleep1942 zap1942 hit1955 to take down1967 wax1968 trash1973 ace1975 the world > movement > impact > striking > striking with specific degree of force > strike with specific degree of force [verb (transitive)] > strike severely > so as to render unconscious to lay out1829 out1896 the world > physical sensation > physical sensibility > physical insensibility > dullness of sense perception > dull (the senses) [verb (transitive)] > stun asweveOE stonyc1330 astone1340 astony1340 stouna1400 stounda1400 stuna1400 stoynec1450 dozen1487 astonish1530 benumb1530 daunt1581 dammisha1598 still1778 silence1785 to knock, lay (out), etc., cold1829 to lay out1891 out1896 wooden1904 to knock rotten1919 1595 A. Copley Wits Fittes & Fancies 195 One said to a little child whose father died that morning, and was layd out in a coffin in the Kitchin, Alas, [etc.]. 1609 W. Shakespeare Troilus & Cressida ii. iii. 30 If she that layes thee out sayes thou art not a faire course. 1829 Massachusetts Spy 22 July I want to lay out [this candidate] as cold as a wedge. 1848 E. C. Gaskell Mary Barton I. vi. 108 They reverently laid out the corpse—Wilson fetching his only spare shirt to array it in. 1890 A. Barrère & C. G. Leland Dict. Slang II. 9 Galletly was saying, ‘I've laid one out’ to the other prisoners... Witness also saw the knife, and there was blood on it. 1891 Harper's Mag. Oct. 777/2 Hydropathy gave him fits, and eclecticism almost lays him out. 1892 R. L. Stevenson & L. Osbourne Wrecker xxv. 417 He gave the wretched man an opiate that laid him out within ten minutes. 1894 Nation (N.Y.) 22 Nov. 373/2 Never were so many demagogues laid out in one day as in the elections of a fortnight ago. 1894 Daily News 26 May 8/6 If you strike me I will lay you out. 1896 Wells Jrnl. 3 Dec. 7/5 A disposition to ‘injure, maim, and lay out an opponent, especially if he be a valuable element in the opposing team’. 1916 ‘Taffrail’ Pincher Martin xviii. 337 I gits rated up ten days ago,..death vacancy. Poor ole Byles got laid out, yer remember. 1929 J. B. Priestley Good Compan. iii. v. 589 ‘But do you mean to say he was laid out?’ he demanded... ‘On the jaw, I think you said?’ 1973 Scotsman 21 Feb. 17/6 When they hit you with the word, cancer, it scares you to death. Boom! You're laid out. But I've learned a lot about cancer since then. 3. To spend, expend (money). Also absol. ΘΚΠ society > trade and finance > management of money > expenditure > spend [verb (transitive)] aspendc885 doOE spendc1175 spenec1175 dispendc1330 bewarec1374 bestow1377 suckc1380 unpursea1393 warea1417 stowc1440 to lay outc1449 spone1456 expend1477 expend1484 impendc1486 ware?a1513 deburse?1529 disburse1530 defray1543 unburse1570 outlay1573 to lay forth1584 sweat1592 vent1612 dispursea1616 exhaust1616 to set forth1622 waste1639 depursea1648 fence1699 douse1759 shut1797 shift1923 c1449 R. Pecock Repressor (1860) 91 If therto thei han eny expensis bifore leid out and mynystrid. 1486–1504 Let. 7 Jan. in W. Denton Eng. in 15th Cent. (1888) 318 (Note D) Mane men wyll ley owt more to kepe vnder the pore th[en] for to helpe thaym. 1535 Bible (Coverdale) Isa. lv. A Wherfore do ye laye out youre moneye, for the thinge y^t fedeth not. 1598 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 1 iv. ii. 5 Bar. Will you giue me money captaine? Fal. Lay out, lay out. View more context for this quotation 1615 T. Tomkis Albumazar iii. v. sig. F3^v Lay out some roaring oathes For me; I'le pay thee againe with interest. a1616 W. Shakespeare Tempest (1623) ii. ii. 32 When they will not giue a doit to relieue a lame Begger, they will lay out ten to see a dead Indian. View more context for this quotation 1711 R. Steele Spectator No. 54. ⁋2 Most of our Professors never lay out a Farthing either in Pen, Ink, or Paper. 1843 J. W. Carlyle Lett. I. 254 2l. 10s. was more than I cared to lay out of my own money on the article. 1895 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. IV. xx. 471 He laid out all his gains in purchasing land. †4. To employ or exercise (powers, effort). Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > cause to operate [verb (transitive)] > put in effective operation yieldc1315 underbear1382 to put forthc1390 showa1398 apply?c1400 to put outc1400 exercisec1405 to put toc1410 employ?1473 enforce1490 exerce1535 adhibit?1538 addict1562 endeavour?1575 work1591 address1598 to give stream to?1611 to lay out1651 exsert1665 exert1682 the mind > will > intention > planning > plan [verb] > plan to do something lay1573 plota1586 to cast aboutc1590 to put into (also in) practice1592 plat1596 project1600 to lay abouta1618 to lay out1651 plan1718 1651 R. Baxter Saints Everlasting Rest (new ed.) iii. vi. §26. 127 They..should lay out all their strength on the work of God. 1656 T. Burton Diary (1828) I. 24 If you do not lay out your especial endeavours in the things of God. 1665 R. Boyle Occas. Refl. v. i. sig. Ii6^v A mis-expence of his Time or Talents; whether they be laid out upon Speculative Notions in Theology, or [etc.]. 1711 J. Addison Spectator No. 98. ¶5 Nature has laid out all her Art in beautifying the Face. a1715 Bp. G. Burnet Hist. Own Time (1724) I. 190 He..did not lay out his learning with the diligence with which he laid it in. 5. reflexive †To exert oneself in, upon (obsolete); to take measures, frame one's conduct with a view to effecting a purpose or gaining an object. Const. for, to with infinitive. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > endeavour > make an attempt or endeavour [verb (intransitive)] fanda1225 procurea1325 assay1370 workc1384 to put oneself in pressc1390 purchasec1400 buskc1450 study1483 fend15.. try1534 enterprise1547 to make an attempt?c1550 to give the venture1589 prove1612 nixuriate1623 to lay out1659 essay1715 to bring (also carry, drive, etc.) one's pigs to market1771 to have (or take or give) a crack1836 to make an out1843 to go to market1870 to give it a burl1917 to have a bash (at)1950 the world > action or operation > manner of action > effort or exertion > exert oneself or make an effort [verb (intransitive)] tillc897 stightlea1375 stretcha1375 wrestlea1382 to put it forthc1390 to put one's hand(s) to (also unto)a1398 paina1400 takea1400 to do one's busy pain (also care, cure, diligence)?a1430 to make great force?c1450 makec1485 to stir one's stumpsa1500 to bestir one's stumps1549 to make work1574 put1596 bestira1616 operate1650 to lay out1659 to be at pains1709 exerta1749 tew1787 maul1821 to take (the) trouble1830 to pull outc1835 bother1840 trouble1880 to buck up1890 hump1897 to go somea1911 1659 C. Noble Moderate Answer 1 The Grandees of our Nation, who laid out themselves to the utmost in their..contrivements for the peace..of their Country. 1678 S. Butler Hudibras: Third Pt. iii. i. 10 Who never fail'd..To lay themselves out, to supplant Each other Cousin-German Saint. 1732 G. Berkeley Alciphron I. v. xx. 307 You shall often see even the learned..Divine lay himself out in explaining Things inexplicable. 1745 Lett. in Rep. Cond. Sir J. Cope (1746) 119 I will lay my~self out to know the Conduct and Conversation of all my Neighbours. 1760 E. Burke Ess. Abridgm. Eng. Hist. 39 If they discovered any provincial laying himself out for popularity. 1809 E. A. Kendall Trav. Northern Parts U.S. II. xlvii. 147 A large proportion of the inhabitants lay themselves out to give entertainment. 1827 C. Wordsworth King Charles I (1828) 140 The running off to quite a different matter..may fairly generate a suspicion, that the writer lays him~self out upon what is easy, and was not wanted. 1880 T. Hardy Trumpet-major II. xxii. 117 Take it careless, my son,..and lay yourself out to enjoy snacks and cordials. 6. intransitive. With for: †To make a search for, look out for (obsolete); to take measures to win or get. Also, to scheme, plan to effect some purpose. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > endeavour > searching or seeking > search for or seek [verb (transitive)] > search about for to search out?a1400 to look about1536 to feel after ——?1557 study1561 to feel for ——1569 to look out for1578 to lay out1624 to look round1630 to lay about1755 prospect1854 roust1870 to look around1927 1624 T. Davies in H. Ellis Orig. Lett. Eminent Literary Men (1843) (Camden) 140 I..began to lay out for those Books you writ for. 1656 T. Stanley Hist. Philos. II. v. 31 Dionysius laid out to take him, but could not light on him. 1713 J. Swift Jrnl. to Stella 4 Feb. (1948) II. 614 Ldy Masham, who has been laying out for my Acquaintance. a1715 Bp. G. Burnet Hist. Own Time (1724) I. 396 I laid out for MSS, and searched into all offices. 1751 S. Richardson Rambler No. 97. ⁋12 Women..most observed when they seem themselves least to observe, or to lay out for observation. 1813 P. Hawker Diary (1893) I. 82 I had given up all idea of this buck, having laid out for him since about August 30. 1834 J. H. Newman Parochial Serm. I. x. 150 To be seen of men, to lay out for human praise. 1867 W. D. Howells Ital. Journeys 57 He laid out to go ashore the next time he came to Venice. 7. To display, exhibit, expose; to set forth, expound, demonstrate. ? Now rare. ΘΚΠ society > communication > manifestation > offering for inspection or consideration > offer for inspection or consideration [verb (transitive)] i-taechec888 to lay … beforec1000 showlOE givec1175 to lay outc1440 produce1459 propose1548 cite1549 product1563 broach1573 offer1583 to hold up1604 to bring in1608 project1611 to bring ona1715 to trot out1838 to bring up1868 muster1904 the mind > mental capacity > intelligibility > meaning > explanation, exposition > expound, explain [verb (transitive)] arecchec885 unloukOE overrunOE sutelec1000 trahtnec1000 unfolda1050 belayc1175 openc1175 onopena1200 accountc1300 undo?a1366 remenea1382 interpret1382 unwrap1387 exploitc1390 enlumine1393 declarec1400 expoundc1400 unplait?c1400 enperc1420 planea1425 clearc1440 exponec1440 to lay outc1440 to give (also carry) lightc1449 unwind1482 expose1483 reducea1500 manifest1530 explicate1531 explaina1535 unlock?1536 dilucidate1538 elucidate1538 illustrate1538 rechec1540 explicate1543 illucidate1545 enucleate1548 unsnarl1555 commonstrate1563 to lay forth1577 straighten1577 unbroid1577 untwist1577 decipherc1586 illuminate1586 enlighten1587 resolvec1592 cipher1594 eliquidate1596 to take (a person) with one1599 rivelc1600 ravel1604 unbowel1606 unmist1611 extricate1614 unbolta1616 untanglea1616 enode1623 unperplexa1631 perspicuate1634 explata1637 unravel1637 esclarea1639 clarify1642 unweave1642 detenebrate1646 dismystery1652 undecipher1654 unfork1654 unparadox1654 reflect1655 enodate1656 unmysterya1661 liquidatea1670 recognize1676 to clear upa1691 to throw sidelight on1726 to throw (also cast, shed) light on (also upon)1731 eclaircise1754 irradiate1864 unbraid1880 predigest1905 to get (something) straight1920 disambiguate1960 demystify1963 the mind > mental capacity > belief > expressed belief, opinion > extreme opinion, dogmatism > assert dogmatically [verb (intransitive)] dogmatize1611 to lay out1748 to lay down the law1762 pontificate1818 pundit1940 c1440 York Myst. xxvi. 251 Ȝoure langage ȝe lay oute to lang, But Judas, we trewly þe trast. 1661 A. Marvell Let. 27 June in Poems & Lett. (1971) II. 33 The kings Counsell is to be heard at our barr to lay out euidence against the kings dead & liuing judges. 1666 S. Pepys Diary 14 July (1972) VII. 205 I wrote..to the Duke of York, laying out our want of money again. a1715 Bp. G. Burnet Hist. Own Time (1724) I. 214 He..laid out the necessity of raising some more force for securing the quiet of Scotland. 1748 S. Richardson Clarissa V. lxii. 376 Sally was laying out the law, and prating away in her usual dictatorial manner. 1789 C. Smith Ethelinde I. v. 94 Sir Edward..found it doubly delightful to lay out his whole soul in the soft and sensible society of Ethelinde. 1855 A. Bain Senses & Intellect Introd. i. 7 The mode of laying out the subject that has occurred to an able physiologist. 1867 J. A. Froude Short Stud. 1st Ser. I. 2 Laying out his matter as easily..as if he had been talking to us at his own fireside. 8. To apportion (land) for a purpose; to plot or plan out (grounds, streets, etc.). ΘΚΠ society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > district in relation to human occupation > town as opposed to country > [verb (transitive)] > plan or develop to lay outc1608 to set out1673 develop1863 town-plan1911 redevelop1936 c1608 E. M. Wingfield Disc. Virginia in J. Smith Wks. (1884) p.xc I misliked his leying out of our towne. 1632 Accts. St. John's Hosp., Canterbury (Canterbury Cathedral Archives: CCA-U13/5) Layd out on our selues and the land~measurer when we went to..laye out our land. 1689 in Colonial Rec. Pennsylvania (1852) I. 298 An ordr for y^e laying out a Road from Philadelphia to Bucks County. 1705 J. Addison Remarks Italy 1 The Mountains about the Town..laid out in beautiful Gardens. 1799 Scotland Described (ed. 2) 18 Pleasure-grounds have been in many places laid out. 1813 J. Austen Pride & Prejudice II. v. 53 The garden..was large and well laid out . View more context for this quotation 1840 Jrnl. Royal Agric. Soc. 1 iii. 259 I laid out the drains 30 feet apart. 1855 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. III. xii. 188 Those who laid out the city had never meant that it should be able to stand a regular siege. 1885 Sir J. Bacon in Law Times Rep. 52 509/2 The roads had been laid out, but were not completed. 9. To plan or map out; to set as a task or duty. ΘΚΠ the mind > will > intention > planning > plan [verb (transitive)] forethinkc897 bethinka1225 compass1297 contrivec1330 ordain1340 conjectc1380 imaginec1380 cast1382 ordaina1387 advisec1400 forecast1413 imagec1450 ordainc1450 project1477 foreminda1535 invent1539 aimc1540 practise1550 plat1556 trive1573 meditate1582 patterna1586 plot1589 platform1592 design1594 chew1600 forelay1605 to map out1618 to cut out1619 agitate1629 laya1631 plod1631 cut1645 calculate1654 concert1702 to scheme out1716 plan1718 model1725 to rough out1738 to lay out1741 plan1755 prethink1760 shape1823 programme1834 pre-plan1847 encompass1882 target1948 1741 S. Richardson Pamela III. xxxii. 295 Shall it be as Mrs. B. lays it out, or not? 1868 A. D. Whitney Patience Strong's Outings viii. 97 I know..what she has laid out for herself to do. 1872 W. Black Strange Adventures Phaeton xxxi. 412 In laying out plans for another month's holiday. 1879 M. Pattison Milton ii. 29 Lycidas is laid out on the lines of the accepted pastoral fiction. †10. To put (false hair) in order. Obsolete. (Cf. to lay forth 4 at Phrasal verbs.) ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > beautification > beautification of the person > beautification of the hair > practice of wearing artificial hair > furnish with artificial hair [verb (transitive)] > arrange to lay out1580 1580 J. Lyly Euphues & his Eng. (new ed.) f. 115 The hayre they lay out groweth vppon their owne heades. 1656 Disc. Auxiliary Beauty 59 When she laid out the combings of her own or others more youthfull haire when her own..seemed lesse becoming her. †11. Cards. (Piquet, Écarté, etc.) To discard, throw out (a card or cards) from one's hand. ΘΚΠ society > leisure > entertainment > pastimes > game > card game > play a card [verb (transitive)] > actions or tactics to hold up?1499 decardc1555 to turn up1580 discard1591 pulla1625 to sit out1659 face1674 to make out1680 to lay out1687 to throw away1707 lead1739 weaken1742 carry1744 to take in1744 force1746 to show down1768 throw1866 blank1884 block1884 cover1885 unblock1885 pitch1890 1687 G. Miege Great French Dict. ii. s.v. To lay out his Cards, at Picket, faire son écart. 1728 E. Chambers Cycl. at Picquet If one of the Gamesters find he has not a Court-Card in his Hand, he is to declare he has Carte blanche, and tell how many Cards he will lay out. †12. intransitive. To incline and project outward. Obsolete. ΚΠ 1793 J. Smeaton Narr. Edystone Lighthouse (ed. 2) 195 Till the stones are cleared of the boat, the shears lay out considerably. 13. intransitive (Nautical) To occupy a position on a yard towards the yard arms for the purpose of manipulating the sails. (Cf. to lie out at lie v.¹ Phrasal verbs.) ΚΠ 1829 F. Marryat Naval Officer I. vii. 212 The men laying out on the yards. 1867 W. H. Smyth & E. Belcher Sailor's Word-bk. Laying or Lying out on a yard, to go out towards the yard-arms. to lay over 1. transitive. To overlay. ΘΚΠ the world > space > relative position > condition of being external > covering > cover [verb (transitive)] > spread or draw over (a thing) as covering for > bespread or cover with wryc950 bredeOE bridgeOE bespreadc1275 couchc1330 spreadc1330 cover1382 overspreadc1385 overlaya1400 overcast1440 to draw overc1450 ramplish1494 to lay over1535 1535 Bible (Coverdale) Hab. ii. C It is layed ouer with golde and syluer. 1663 B. Gerbier Counsel to Builders 84 The laying over a Wall, white in oyl, twelve pence a yard. 1698 J. Fryer New Acct. E.-India & Persia 56 Sads, laid over with Boughs. 1732 Ld. Tyrawly in Buccleuch MSS (Hist. MSS Comm.) (1899) I. 381 Crimson velvet, laid all over with gold lace. 2. transitive. U.S. colloquial. To miss, allow to pass by; to postpone; to lay a temporary embargo on. ΘΚΠ the world > time > a suitable time or opportunity > untimeliness > delay or postponement > delay [verb (transitive)] forslowc888 eldc897 forsita940 gele971 lengOE drilla1300 delayc1300 onfrestc1300 tarryc1320 jornc1330 dretchc1380 defer1382 forbida1387 to put offa1387 to put (also set) (something) in (or on) delaya1393 dilate1399 fordrawa1400 to put overc1410 latch?c1422 adjournc1425 prolongc1425 proloynec1425 rejournc1425 to put in respite1428 sleuthc1430 respitea1450 prorogue1453 refer1466 sleep1470 supersede1482 respectc1487 postpone1496 overseta1500 respett1500 enjourna1513 relong1523 retract1524 tarde1524 track1524 to fode forth1525 tract1527 protract1528 further1529 to make stay of1530 surcease1530 prorogate1534 to fay upon longc1540 linger1543 retard?1543 slake1544 procrastine1548 reprieve1548 remit1550 suspense1556 leave1559 shiftc1562 suspend1566 procrastinate1569 dally1574 post1577 to hold off1580 drift1584 loiter1589 postpose1598 to take one's (own) timea1602 flag1602 slug1605 elong1610 belay1613 demur1613 tardya1616 to hang up1623 frist1637 disjourn1642 future1642 off1642 waive1653 superannuate1655 perendinate1656 stave1664 detard1675 remora1686 to put back1718 withhold1726 protract1737 to keep over1847 to hold over1853 laten1860 to lay over1885 hold1891 back-burner1975 1885 A. Gray Lett. (1893) 772 At Las Vegas, New Mexico, we laid over one train, to rest and see the Hot Springs. 1890 St. Nicholas Mag. Sept. 920/1 I know of tennis matches..that have been laid over for hours because of a sprained ankle. 1890 Standard 20 Nov. 5/2 Great regions were ‘laid over’. They were taboo to the hunter until the fur animals had time to recover themselves. 3. transitive ? U.S. colloquial. To excel, to ‘put in the shade’. Also to lay it over, to get the better of, take advantage of (a person). ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > prosperity > advancement or progress > outdoing or surpassing > outdo or surpass [verb (transitive)] > put in the shade or put to shame shamec1400 to put down1494 extinguish1551 stain1557 overshadow1581 cloud1582 defacea1592 shend1596 to lay up1601 to shine down1623 dazzle1643 umbrage1647 foila1687 efface1717 eclipse1718 shade?1748 put into the shade1796 to take the shine out of (less frequently from, U.S. off)1819 to put to shame1854 to leave (a person) standing1864 to lay over1869 blanket1884 upstage1921 1869 B. Harte Luck of Roaring Camp (1870) 15 They've a street up there in ‘Roaring’ that would lay over any street in Red Dog. 1880 ‘M. Twain’ Tramp Abroad ii. 37 In scolding..a blue-jay can lay over anything, human or divine. 1911 J. F. Wilson Land Claimers xiii. 179 He let on as how anybody..could lay it all over you. 4. transitive. To turn over. ΚΠ 1874 2nd Rep. Vermont State Board Agric. 1873–4 188 Unless so rainy as to be impracticable, he lays it all over, thus inverting the cock, and replaces the cap. to lay to 1. transitive. To place in juxtaposition; to apply (a medicinal remedy) to the body; also to lay to one's ear, to listen to, obey; to lay to the deaf ear, to turn a deaf ear. Obsolete.In the Wyclif quots. merely a literalism of translation. ΘΚΠ the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > hear [verb (intransitive)] > listen > listen to listc897 harkc1175 to open one's earsa1200 listenc1290 to listen onc1330 tend1340 to lay to one's eara1382 attend1447 hearken to1526 to listen one's ears (or an ear) toa1533 to hear to1833 the world > space > distance > nearness > be near to [verb (transitive)] > place near > place adjacent to lay toa1382 shoulder1591 jowl1654 juxtaposita1680 neighbour1791 juxtapose1851 the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > hear [verb (intransitive)] > listen > refuse to listen to stop (one's own or another's) ear or ears1340 to lend a deaf earc1480 to lay to the deaf eara1500 to have (also put on) merchant's ears1593 solder1642 the world > health and disease > healing > medical treatment > [verb (transitive)] > apply remedy to plastera1398 medicinea1425 to lay to1551 medicate1623 pathologize1649 medicament1850 a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(1)) (1850) Eccles. viii. 16 I leide to [L. apposui] myn herte. a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(1)) (1850) Ecclus. ii. 4 Alle that to thee shul ben leid to [L. quod tibi applicitum fuerit]. c1400 Rom. Rose 2660 Than shalt thou stoupe, and lay to ere, If they within a-slepe be. a1500 (?c1450) Merlin xvi. 261 The carll leide to the deef ere. 1513 G. Douglas in tr. Virgil Æneid i. Prol. 488 To ilk cunnand wicht lay to my eir. 1551 W. Turner New Herball sig. F j^v The leues of this herbe layd to with salt. ?1561 Syr Tryamoure (new ed.) sig. A^v If ye wyll..laye to youre eere Of aduentres ye shall here. 1584 T. Cogan Hauen of Health iv. 23 Being laide too outwardly as a medecine. 1601 P. Holland tr. Pliny Hist. World II. 262 The leaues..of Ephedros brought into a liniment and laid too, do discusse and dissolue them. 1620 Hist. Frier Rush sig. C3 He made a great fire and set on the pot, and layed to the spit. †2. To put or bring into action; to bring to bear; esp. in to lay to one's hand(s. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > undertaking > beginning action or activity > begin action or activity [verb (intransitive)] beginc1000 onginOE aginOE ginc1175 to go tillc1175 to take onc1175 comsea1225 fanga1225 to go toc1275 i-ginc1275 commencec1320 to get (also get down, go, go adown, set, set down) to workc1400 to lay to one's hand(sc1405 to put to one's hand (also hands)c1410 to set toc1425 standa1450 to make to1563 to fall to it1570 to start out1574 to fall to1577 to run upon ——1581 to break off1591 start1607 to set in1608 to set to one's hands1611 to put toa1616 to fall ona1625 in1633 to fall aboard1642 auspicatea1670 to set out1693 to enter (into) the fray1698 open1708 to start in1737 inchoate1767 to set off1774 go1780 start1785 to on with1843 to kick off1857 to start in on1859 to steam up1860 to push off1909 to cut loose1923 to get (also put) the show on the road1941 to get one's arse in gear1948 the world > action or operation > advantage > usefulness > use (made of things) > use or make use of [verb (transitive)] > bring or put into use travaila1382 to bring inc1384 employ1429 inveigh1547 innovate1548 to put into (also in) practice1553 to lay to1560 induct1615 produce1697 take1732 unlimber1867 phase1949 c1405 (c1387–95) G. Chaucer Canterbury Tales Prol. (Hengwrt) (2003) 841 Ley hond to, euery man. c1440 W. Hylton Scala Perfeccionis (1494) i. xxxix Our lorde..layeth to his honde and smyteth down the deuyll. 1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 603/1 I laye to my hande to helpe that a thyng maye be doone. 1535 Bible (Coverdale) Psalms cxviii. [cxix.] 126 It is tyme for the (o Lorde) to laye to thine honde. 1560 J. Daus tr. J. Sleidane Commentaries f. ccxxxiij With all hys force and power, he layeth to all hys munition. 1576 A. Fleming tr. Cicero in Panoplie Epist. 74 Lay too all the might you can make. a1616 W. Shakespeare Tempest (1623) iv. i. 249 Monster, lay to your fingers: helpe to beare this away. View more context for this quotation a1653 Z. Boyd Zion's Flowers (1855) 20 Lay to your armes, and help..afford. 3. intransitive (Nautical) To come to a stationary position with the head towards the wind; = to lie by 2 at lie v.¹ Phrasal verbs. ΘΚΠ society > travel > travel by water > directing or managing a ship > use of sails, spars, or rigging > support (an amount of) sail [verb (intransitive)] > lie to trya1584 to lie by1623 to lay by1697 to lie to1711 to lay to1798 1798 Ld. Nelson in Dispatches & Lett. (1845) III. 20 The Terpsichore..continued to lay to under bare poles. 1866 R. M. Ballantyne Shifting Winds (1881) xiii. 131 [He] was obliged to lay-to until daylight, as the weather was thick. to lay together 1. transitive. To place in juxtaposition; to add together; †to compare; †to put together, construct; †passive to be composed of. ΘΚΠ the world > relative properties > number > arithmetic or algebraic operations > perform arithmetic or algebraic operations [verb (transitive)] > add or sum suma1387 drawc1392 to lay togethera1400 add?c1425 foot1491 confer1552 to add up1611 total1716 sum1740 tot1770 to run up1830 summate1880 the world > existence and causation > creation > [verb (transitive)] > construct workOE dighta1175 to set upc1275 graitha1300 formc1300 pitchc1330 compoundc1374 to put togethera1387 performc1395 bigc1400 elementc1400 complexion1413 erect1417 framea1450 edifya1464 compose1481 construe1490 to lay together1530 perstruct1547 to piece together1572 condite1578 conflate1583 compile1590 to put together1591 to set together1603 draw1604 build1605 fabric1623 complicate1624 composit1640 constitute1646 compaginate1648 upa1658 complex1659 construct1663 structurate1664 structure1664 confect1677 to put up1699 rig1754 effect1791 structuralize1913 the world > space > distance > nearness > be near to [verb (transitive)] > place near > place adjacent > to each other to lay together1530 apposea1806 the mind > attention and judgement > discovery > comparison > compare [verb (transitive)] evenOE comparisonc1374 measurea1382 remenec1390 compare1509 confer?1531 to lay togethera1568 lay1577 paragona1586 paragonize1589 set1589 sympathize1600 confront1604 to name on (also in) the same day1609 collate1612 to lay down by1614 sampler1628 to set together1628 matcha1649 run1650 vie1685 to put together1690 a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 29529 Þir pointes of cursing haf i said, And soth and scortly samen laid.] a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Fairf. 14) l. 550 Of þer þinges þat I. haue sayde was adam cors to-geder layde. 1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 605/1 I ley styckes or brandes togyther, to make a fyre. 1560 J. Daus tr. J. Sleidane Commentaries f. cccclxix That the same fyre whiche many yeares since they had layde together, myght nowe..breake out. 1565 T. Stapleton Fortresse of Faith f. 74 All which numbres being layed together arising well toward to twenty thousand soules. a1568 R. Ascham Scholemaster (1570) ii. f. 31^v Whan he bringeth it translated vnto you, bring you forth the place of Tullie: lay them together: compare the one with the other. 1628 T. Spencer Art of Logick 114 To keepe a dore, and to dwell in the tents &c. are layd together. 1678 J. Bunyan Pilgrim's Progress Author's Apol. sig. A6^v O then come hither, And lay my Book, thy Head, and Heart together. View more context for this quotation 1692 Bp. G. Burnet Disc. Pastoral Care ii. 15 I will..lay both the Rules and the Reproofs that are in them together. 1699 A. Boyer Royal Dict. (at cited word) Lay his Words and Deeds together, Comparez ses Paroles avec ses actions. 1707 J. Stevens tr. F. de Quevedo Comical Wks. (1709) 350 He could not lay his Eyes together. 1853 A. Ure Dict. Arts (ed. 4) II. 562 A simpler..mode of..laying the strands together. 2. to lay..heads together: to confer together. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > judgement or decision > advice > give advice [verb (intransitive)] > consult or take advice > together or with another to lay‥heads togetherc1381 deliberc1405 to cast their heads (together)1535 deliberate1538 to compare notes1709 c1381 G. Chaucer Parl. Foules 554 The watyr foulis han here hedis leid To gedere. 1483 in W. H. Stevenson Rec. Borough Nottingham (1883) II. 393 [They] leyd theyr hedes to geder to vnderstand how they myght haue verrey evydence and Knolage. 1583 A. Golding tr. J. Calvin Serm. on Deuteronomie clxxviii. 1108 If all the greatest Doctors of y^e world shold lay their heads together they coulde not attaine to the vnderstanding thereof. 1650 R. Stapleton tr. F. Strada De Bello Belgico viii. 5 Then laying their heads together..[they] created them a Generall. a1771 T. Gray in Wks. (1884) I. 316 We shall lay our heads together, and try if we cannot hammer out as good a thing about you. 1893 Bookman June 83/1 [They] laid their heads together and gradually built up this picturesque mountain of lies. †3. To concoct, compose (a story); also absol. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > perception or cognition > faculty of imagination > inventive or creative faculty > contrive, devise, or invent [verb (transitive)] > a story, etc. fable1553 frame1576 to lay together1603 1603 R. Knolles Gen. Hist. Turkes 770 At such time as the old mans furie was ouerpast, falling of purpose into talke with him about the matter, she laid togither in her sons behalfe, and alleadged [etc.]. a1715 Bp. G. Burnet Hist. Own Time (1724) I. 580 His story was so ill laid together, that the Court was ashamed to make use of it. †4. intransitive. To engage (in combat). Obsolete. ΘΚΠ society > armed hostility > armed encounter > contending in battle > contend in battle or give battle [verb (intransitive)] > join or meet in battle to come togetherOE to lay togetherc1275 smitec1275 to have, keep, make, smite, strike, battle1297 joustc1330 meetc1330 copec1350 assemblea1375 semblea1375 coup?a1400 to fight togethera1400 strikea1400 joinc1400 to join the battle1455 to commit battle?a1475 rencounter1497 to set ina1500 to pitch a battlea1513 concura1522 rescounter1543 scontre1545 journey1572 shock1575 yoke1581 to give in1610 mix1697 to engage a combat1855 to run (or ride) a-tilt1862 c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 2945 Heore wepnen weoren lihte. heo leiden to-gadere & feon-liche fuhten. to lay up 1. transitive. See simple senses and up n.; to put up and extend (one's limbs) on a couch; †to erect (a building); †to vomit, ‘throw up’ (obsolete). ΘΚΠ the world > health and disease > ill health > a disease > disorders of internal organs > digestive disorders > have digestive disorder [verb (transitive)] > vomit spew971 aspewc1200 to gulch out?c1225 casta1300 vomea1382 brake1393 evacuec1400 to cast outa1425 deliver?a1425 voida1425 evomec1450 evomit?a1475 disgorge1477 to cast up1483 degorge1493 vomish1536 retch1538 parbreak1540 reject1540 vomit1541 evacuate1542 revomit1545 belch1558 vomit1560 to lay up1570 upvomit1582 to fetch up1599 puke1601 respew1606 inbelch1610 spew1610 to throw up1614 exgurgitate1623 out-spew1647 egurgitate1656 to throw off1660 to bring up1719 pick1828 sick1924 yark1927 barf1960 to park the tiger1970 vom1991 society > occupation and work > industry > building or constructing > build or construct [verb (transitive)] timbera900 workOE betimberOE craftOE buildc1275 lifta1300 stagec1330 upraise1338 wright1338 edifya1340 to make outa1382 to make upa1382 biga1400 housea1400 risea1400 telda1400–50 to work upa1450 redress1481 levy1495 upmake1507 upbuild1513 exstruct?c1550 construct1663 to run up1686 practise1739 to lay up1788 elevate1798 to put up1818 to lay down1851 practicate1851 the world > space > relative position > posture > action or fact of stretching body > stretch [verb (transitive)] > on a couch to lay upc1830 1570 B. Googe tr. T. Kirchmeyer Popish Kingdome iv. f. 53 And miserably they reele, till as their stomacke vp they lay. 1579–80 T. North tr. Plutarch Lives (1676) 757 Antonius being queasie stomacked with his Surfeit he had taken, was compelled to lay up all before them, and one of his friends held him his Gown instead of a Bason. 1788 J. May Jrnl. 19 July (1873) (modernized text) 86 To-day finished laying up the house, and put on the roof. c1830 Houlston Tracts No. 87. 11 Her daughter must go home, and lay up her legs till they got quite well. 2. Agriculture (a) To throw up (land) in ridges as a preparation for sowing: often with complement, as dry, rough, in ridges. (b) To reserve for hay. Cf. to lay in 5 at Phrasal verbs. ΘΚΠ the world > food and drink > farming > cultivation or tillage > breaking up land > break up land [verb (transitive)] > throw up ridges rig?1523 ridge?1530 to trench up1763 upset1764 to lay up1842 hill1884 1842 Jrnl. Royal Agric. Soc. 3 ii. 171 Every arable field which is laid up in ridges probably requires..to be drained. 1844 Jrnl. Royal Agric. Soc. 5 i. 167 After being fed the meadows are laid up, and in about six weeks produce an excellent crop of hay. 1852 Jrnl. Royal Agric. Soc. 13 i. 62 The land..is either sown with wheat at Michaelmas or laid up dry, for barley in the spring. 1883 J. A. Froude Hist. Sketches 74 (Norway Fjords) There were forty or fifty acres of grass laid up for hay. 3. To deposit or put away in a place for safety; to store up (goods, provisions); to put by. Often absol. to save money. Also with immaterial object to lay up in lavender: see lavender n.² 2. ΘΚΠ the mind > possession > supply > storage > store [verb (transitive)] again-layOE to put upc1330 to lay up?a1366 bestow1393 to set up1421 reserve1480 powder1530 store1552 uplay1591 garnera1616 storea1616 revestry1624 reposit1630 barrel1631 magazine1643 stock1700 to salt down1849 reservoir1858 tidy1867 larder1904 the world > space > place > placing or fact of being placed in (a) position > place or put in a position [verb (transitive)] > deposit or put away to put upc1330 to lay up?a1366 leavea1375 disposec1420 stowc1485 reposea1500 repose?c1525 commit1531 reject1541 dispatcha1566 tuck1587 to put away1607 reposit1630 repositate1716 to stow away1795 park1908 ?a1366 Romaunt Rose 184 Gret tresours up to leyn. c1400 Rom. Rose 5680 They..ley not up for her living. 1526 Bible (Tyndale) Luke i. f. lxxiiij And all they that herde them layde them vppe in their hertes. 1526 Bible (Tyndale) 2 Cor. xii. 14 The children ought nott to laye vppe for the fathers and mothers. [So 1611.] 1560 J. Daus tr. J. Sleidane Commentaries f. ccxxix^v That the same should be laied vp into a cheste fast locked. 1626 F. Bacon New Atlantis 8 in Sylua Syluarum The Strangers House, is at this time Rich, and much aforehand; For it hath layd vp Reuenew these 37 yeares. 1651 N. Bacon Contin. Hist. Disc. Govt. 198 It incourages men to gather and lay up, when they have Law to hold by what they have. 1690 J. Locke Ess. Humane Understanding ii. x. 67 This faculty of laying up, and retaining the Ideas that are brought into the Mind. 1709 R. Steele Tatler No. 91. ⁋1 I have, by leading a very wary Life, laid up a little Money. 1736 T. Lediard Life Marlborough III. 194 The Allies design'd to lay up large Magazines at Douay. 1877 C. M. Yonge Cameos cxli, in Monthly Packet Oct. 319 Lines, which she had probably composed and laid up in her memory. 1879 M. Pattison Milton xiii. 212 His poems he wished laid up in the Bodleian. 1885 ‘E. F. Byrrne’ Entangled I. i. xiii. 248 You could not bear the agony that would be laid up for you in an unhappy union. †4. To place in confinement, imprison. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ society > authority > punishment > imprisonment > imprison [verb (transitive)] beclosec1000 setc1100 steekc1175 prison?c1225 adightc1275 imprison1297 laya1325 keepc1330 presentc1380 locka1400 throwc1422 commise1480 clapc1530 shop1548 to lay up1565 incarcerate1575 embar1590 immure1598 hole1608 trunk1608 to keep (a person) darka1616 carceir1630 enjaila1631 pocket1631 bridewell1733 bastille1745 cage1805 quod1819 bag1824 carcerate1839 to send down1840 jug1841 slough1848 to send up1852 to put away1859 warehouse1881 roundhouse1889 smug1896 to bang up1950 1565 T. Cooper Thesaurus at Carcer Condi in carcerem, to be layed vp in [prison]. 1569 in J. Hooker Life Sir P. Carew App. (1857) 233 The messenger..was layed op by the helys. 1602 2nd Pt. Returne fr. Parnassus i. ii. 240 Sweete Constable doth take the wondring eare, And layes it vp in willing prisonment. a1640 P. Massinger City-Madam (1658) i. iii. 143 When layd up for debt. 5. To cause to keep indoors or in bed through illness; often in passive to be (taken) ill, to keep one's bed. In recent colloquial use also intransitive, to take to one's bed. ΘΚΠ the world > health and disease > ill health > be in ill health [verb (intransitive)] > take to bed to lay up1554 to take one's lair1633 to lie up1850 to take to one's bed1883 the world > health and disease > ill health > cause to be ill [verb (transitive)] > restrain by ill health to lay up1554 to lay by1782 the world > health and disease > ill health > be in ill health [verb (intransitive)] > fall ill sicklec1000 sicka1150 sickenc1175 evil1303 mislike?1440 fall1526 to take a conceit1543 to fall down?1571 to lay upa1616 to run of (or on) a garget1615 craze1658 invalid1829 wreck1876 collapse1879 to go sick1879 to sicken for1883 1554 J. Mason Let. 9 Nov. in P. F. Tytler Eng. under Edward VI & Mary (1839) II. 456 (modernized text) The constitution of his body being so easy to be overthrown, as a little travel taken more than it be able to bear were enough to lay him up. a1616 W. Shakespeare As you like It (1623) i. iii. 7 Then there were two Cosens laid vp, when the one should be lam'd with reasons, and the other mad without any. View more context for this quotation 1676 Lady Chaworth in 12th Rep. Royal Comm. Hist. MSS (1890) App. v. 32 This seveare weather which hath laid [me] up in the house this ten days. 1709 R. Steele Tatler No. 82. ⁋5 While he was laid up with the Gout. c1771 S. Foote Maid of Bath iii. 50 My gout..lays me up for four or five months in a year. 1840 R. H. Dana Two Years before Mast xxxi. 117 I should be laid up for a long time, and perhaps have the lock jaw. 1872 C. M. Yonge Cameos cx, in Monthly Packet June 520 An attack of small-pox..laid him up for a short time. 1893 A. S. Eccles Sciatica 49 Busy persons who can ill afford to lay up and be absent from their affairs for some days. †6. To bury. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > life > death > disposal of corpse > burial > bury or entomb [verb (transitive)] bedelveOE begraveOE burya1000 beburyc1000 bifel-ec1000 layc1000 to fall, lull, lay (bring obs.) asleepOE tombc1275 gravec1300 inter1303 rekec1330 to lap in leadc1340 to lay to rest, abed, to bed1340 lie1387 to louk in clay (lead, etc.)?a1400 to lay lowa1425 earthc1450 sepulture1490 to put awaya1500 tyrea1500 mould1530 to graith in the grave1535 ingrave1535 intumulate1535 sepult1544 intumil?c1550 yird1562 shrinea1566 infera1575 entomb1576 sepelite1577 shroud1577 funeral1578 to load with earth1578 delve1587 to lay up1591 sepulchrize1595 pit-hole1607 infuneral1610 mool1610 inhumate1612 inurna1616 inhume1616 pit1621 tumulate1623 sepulchrea1626 turf1628 underlay1639 urna1657 to lay to sleep, asleep1701 envaulta1745 plant1785 ensepulchre1820 sheugh1839 to put under1879 to lay away1885 1591 H. Savile tr. Tacitus Life Agricola in tr. Tacitus Ende of Nero: Fower Bks. Hist. 266 Yet wast thou layed vp with fewer teares. 1655 E. Terry Voy. E.-India 309 It [sc. Pile] was begun by Achabar-sha..and finished by his Son, who since was laid up beside him. 7. To put away (a ship) in dock or some other place of safety. Also intransitive for passive or reflexive. ΘΚΠ society > travel > travel by water > launching a vessel > launch or set afloat [verb (transitive)] > lay up unused to lay by the walls1579 to lay up1667 1667 S. Pepys Diary 14 June (1974) VIII. 269 The counsel that brought us into this misery, by laying up all the great ships. 1701 in J. A. Picton City of Liverpool: Select. Munic. Rec. (1883) I. 309 Ships that are to be layd up. 1725 D. Defoe New Voy. round World i. 18 At length we..arrived again at the Port of St. Julian... Here we resolv'd to lay up for the Winter. 1795 Ld. Nelson in Dispatches & Lett. (1845) II. 69 We must both soon be laid up to repair. 1838 C. Thirlwall Hist. Greece (new ed.) IV. xxvii. 25 The Peloponnesians..laid up their fleet for the rest of the winter. 1849 Tait's Edinb. Mag. 16 158/1 The sands, on which a vessel is laid up, are minutely and beautifully detailed. 1885 Times (Weekly ed.) 11 Sept. 9/3 The ice-hulks and the swift yawls..moored and laid up in ordinary. 1890 Murray's Mag. Oct. 469 I shall send the yacht round to Gosport to lay up. in extended use.1856 C. Dickens Little Dorrit (1857) i. xxiv. 210 Mr. F.'s Aunt was, for the time, laid up in ordinary in her chamber. 8. Shipbuilding. (See quot. 1869.) ΚΠ 1869 E. J. Reed Shipbuilding x. 197 The heads of the rivets are generally laid-up, that is, are made close to the surface, against which they fit by a few heavy blows given by the workman. 9. Rope-making. = sense 37. ΘΚΠ society > occupation and work > industry > manufacturing processes > rope-making > make rope [verb (transitive)] > other specific processes lay1486 throw?c1625 register1793 re-lay1804 warp1815 to lay upc1860 tube1863 wimble1874 strand1886 fluff1892 c1860 H. Stuart Novices or Young Seaman's Catech. (rev. ed.) 28 Lay up the centre strands together, take the next two strands and lay them up together..; when you have laid it up to within ten inches of the end, lay both strands up together [etc.]. 1882 G. S. Nares Seamanship (ed. 6) 26 Gun gear [is] laid up left handed. 10. Nautical (intransitive) To direct the course. ΘΚΠ society > travel > travel by water > directing or managing a ship > direct or manage ship [verb (intransitive)] > head in a certain course or direction steer1340 stem1487 capea1522 lie1574 put1578 bear1587 rut1588 haul1589 fetch1590 standa1594 to stand along1600 to bear away1614 work1621 to lay up1832 1832 F. Marryat Newton Forster III. iv. 46 The French squadron..tacked and laid up directly for them. 1858 Mercantile Marine Mag. 5 71 We neither could lay up for it, nor overhaul it. 11. Printing. (See quot. 1841.) ΚΠ 1808 C. Stower Printer's Gram. 156 A form cannot be well laid up without plenty of water. 1841 W. Savage Dict. Art of Printing (at cited word) Before the letter of a worked-off form is distributed,..if the work be finished it is unlocked upon a board laid in the trough and well rinsed with water, while the compositor keeps working the pages backward and forward with his hands, and continues pouring water on them till the lye and ink are washed away..; this is termed laying-up. †12. To surpass, excel. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > prosperity > advancement or progress > outdoing or surpassing > outdo or surpass [verb (transitive)] > put in the shade or put to shame shamec1400 to put down1494 extinguish1551 stain1557 overshadow1581 cloud1582 defacea1592 shend1596 to lay up1601 to shine down1623 dazzle1643 umbrage1647 foila1687 efface1717 eclipse1718 shade?1748 put into the shade1796 to take the shine out of (less frequently from, U.S. off)1819 to put to shame1854 to leave (a person) standing1864 to lay over1869 blanket1884 upstage1921 1601 R. Johnson tr. G. Botero Trauellers Breuiat 32 In suffring of hunger, thirst, heat, cold, labour and extremities, they will lay vp any nation whatsoeuer. 13. To put up, erect. ΚΠ 1844 D. Lee & J. H. Frost Ten Years in Oregon xxii. 289 We..were so successful as to finish laying up the cabin..at the end of two weeks. 1844 D. Lee & J. H. Frost Ten Years in Oregon xxii. 292 Mr. Smith was getting out logs for a house,..and I helped him lay it up. 14. To assemble or stack (plies or layers) in the arrangement required for the manufacture of plywood or other laminated material (usually prior to bonding into a single structure). ΘΚΠ the world > space > relative position > condition of being external > covering > a layer > arrange in layers [verb (transitive)] > as required for making layered structure to lay up1927 1927 E. V. Knight & M. Wulpi Veneers & Plywood xxvi. 286 Stock trucks..with suitable guides against which to jog layers of stock as the freshly glued plywood is laid up. 1942 A. D. Wood & T. G. Linn Plywoods vii. 74 When working on thin 3-ply boards two panels are frequently ‘laid up’ between each caul. 1949 B. L. Davies Technol. Plastics xiii. 233 The dried, impregnated or coated material is cut to size..and the sheets are laid up, i.e. piled one upon the other to a predetermined number. 1962 Newnes Conc. Encycl. Electr. Engin. 115/2 Normally not less than three layers of tissue are laid up between the electrodes [of an industrial capacitor] for the lower voltages. 1965 Plastics Tooling & Manuf. Handbk. (Amer. Soc. Tool & Manuf. Engineers) vi. 114 Successive plies are laid up until the desired thickness is achieved; then the part is allowed to cure. Compounds lay-down adj. (a) (also laid-down), applied to a collar which is folded over instead of standing up; also as n., a ‘turn-down’ collar; (b) applied to a hand or contract at cards (esp. Bridge) which is such that success is possible against any defence, so that no harm would be done by exposing the player's cards on the table; also elliptical as n., such a hand; also figurative. ΘΚΠ the mind > will > necessity > fate or destiny as determining events > [adjective] > fated or predestined born1357 destinablec1374 destinalc1374 fatalc1374 predestinatec1384 foreordainedc1420 ordinate?a1425 destiny?1473 preordinatea1475 prefinitec1475 pointed1523 predestined1545 determined1546 ordinated1562 predestinated1571 preordained?1580 fore-appointeda1586 predeterminate1601 predetermined1601 destinated1604 destinate1605 destined1609 predesigned1668 predefinite1678 cut and dry1710 fated1715 weirded1820 laid-down1839 foreordinated1858 predesignated1883 predestinatory1893 preset1926 predefined1929 predestine1962 bashert1963 the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > neck-wear > [adjective] > collar > turn-down fall-down1741 laid-down1839 to lay down1839 lay-over1852 the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > neck-wear > [noun] > collar > types of > turn-down turn-over1716 lay-down1839 mousquetaire1854 turnover collara1861 turn-down1896 society > leisure > entertainment > pastimes > game > card game > card or cards > [noun] > hand > types of hand flusha1529 renounce1830 lay-down1839 no-trumper1899 chicane1900 pianola hand1913 powerhouse1932 void1933 pianola1974 society > leisure > entertainment > pastimes > game > card game > card or cards > [adjective] > type of hand or suit strong1626 high1742 lay-down1906 biddable1926 void1934 1839 C. Dickens Nicholas Nickleby xxvii. 266 A black gentleman..with a lay down collar tied with two tassels. 1880 I. L. Bird Unbeaten Tracks Japan I. 47 A laid-down collar. 1890 W. S. Gilbert Foggerty's Fairy & Other Tales 151 Serious collars, as substitutes for the unprofessional ‘lay-downs’ I usually wore. 1906 Westm. Gaz. 8 Sept. 16/3 Enormous cards are held and we have a lay-down great or small slam. 1934 Amer. Speech 9 10/2 A cold game is a sure game, and a cold contract is a lay-down. 1955 I. Fleming Moonraker vii. 75 It was a laydown Grand Slam for Bond against any defence. 1959 Listener 12 Mar. 489/1 Seven Clubs, it will be seen, is a lay-down. 1961 Times 6 Dec. 8/3 A lay-down slam in Clubs. 1966 ‘W. Haggard’ Power House ix. 92 The interview had diverted him. He'd learnt a lot about Harry Fletcher; he'd held a crushing hand and had played it as a laydown. 1974 Country Life 17 Oct. 1139/3 The slam is a lay down. † lay-holding adj. Obsolete rare that lays hold; tenacious. ΘΚΠ the world > movement > absence of movement > hold or holding > [adjective] > seizing or laying hold cleeking1566 lay-holdinga1586 a1586 Sir P. Sidney Arcadia (1593) i. sig. H5 Vran..Laid hold on him with most lay-holding grace. lay-over adj. = lay-down adj. (a). ΘΚΠ the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > neck-wear > [adjective] > collar > turn-down fall-down1741 laid-down1839 to lay down1839 lay-over1852 1852 R. S. Surtees Mr. Sponge's Sporting Tour xii. lxvi. 365 The three Master Baskets in coats and lay-over collars. Draft additions 1997 to lay dead U.S. colloquial (esp. in Black English): to be inconspicuous through inactivity; = to lay low at low adj. and n.² Phrases 3b; also, to do nothing in particular, to loiter, ‘hang about’. ΘΚΠ the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > invisibility > be or become invisible [verb (intransitive)] > be inconspicuous to lay dead1947 the world > action or operation > inaction > not doing > abstaining or refraining from action > abstain or refrain from action [verb (intransitive)] > in order to remain inconspicuous to lay dead1947 1947 Amer. Speech 22 122/1 The boys say, ‘Lay dead and you'll get ahead’. 1955 Publ. Amer. Dial. Soc. No. 24. 55 Now we can cool off and lay dead for a week or two. 1955 Publ. Amer. Dial. Soc. No. 24. 178 Milwaukee is noted for being the toughest city in the Midwest to..lay dead in. 1967 Trans-action Apr. 6/1 The dudes could be found when they were ‘laying dead’—hanging on the corner, or shooting pool and ‘jiving’ (‘goofing’ or kidding around) in a local community project. 1972 T. Kochman Rappin' & Stylin' Out 165 Nonactivity on the street corner is ‘laying dead’, besides the more conventional ‘hanging’. 1990 Los Angeles Times (Ventura County ed.) 22 May b1/3 According to transcripts of the conversation,..he was ‘laying dead for Holmes’ in the Courthouse parking lot, armed with a gun. Draft additions 1997 to lay back v. intransitive. To lean back, recline; frequently figurative, to do nothing, relax (in some later quots. probably a back-formation < laid-back at laid adj. c). Cf. to lie back at lie v.¹ Phrasal verbs. ΘΚΠ the world > space > relative position > support > [verb (intransitive)] > be supported > lean for support > lean backwards (against a support) to lay back1787 to lie back1894 the world > action or operation > inaction > not doing > do nothing [verb (intransitive)] not to lift a finger1529 to mark time1837 to lay back1920 1787 A. W. Costigan Sketches Society & Manners Portugal II. xli. 346 She laid back in the easy chair on which she sat under me..as I stood behind her in the box. 1843 Artist & Amateur's Mag. 1 138 Seeming to recollect..that it was just the time of day at which he was accustomed to take his siesta, he laid back in the little carriage and went at once into a..profound sleep. 1853 T. C. Haliburton in Anglo-Amer. Mag. July 81/2 ‘Sam,’ said he, ‘don't let your heart jump out of its jacket’, and he laid back in his chair, and laughed like anythin'. 1884 Virginia (Nevada) Chron. 1 Oct. 3/3 Old Bill..just lays back until there is a good jack-pot of trout in hand, and then he makes a bold bluff and walks off with it. 1920 E. Pound Let. 11 Sept. (1971) 157 You lay back, you let me have the whole stinking sweat of providing the mechanical means for letting through the new movement... Then you punk out, cursing me for not being in two places at once. 1977 Rolling Stone 13 Jan. 51/3 On her second album, Patti Smith lays back, refusing to assert herself. 1984 Sears, Roebuck Catal. Spring–Summer 276 When it's time to lay back, recline seat and a flip of the handle changes it to a carriage. 1994 R. Reid in P. F. Berliner Thinking in Jazz xv. 424 That night they were playing ballads, and he laid back so far that he knew [that] when he got off the bandstand and got into the dressing room they were going to say that it was too far back. Draft additions 1997 to lay down To record (esp. popular music). colloquial. ΘΚΠ society > communication > record > recording or reproducing sound or visual material > sound recording and reproduction > make recording [verb (transitive)] phonograph1878 gramophone1908 press1918 to put on wax1932 wax1935 cut1937 tape1950 tape-record1950 audiotape1961 to lay down1967 over-record1977 1967 Melody Maker 14 Jan. 7 They both have tremendous records out..and they are both laying down some great stuff. 1975 New Yorker 21 Apr. 34/1 He just spent six weeks in L.A. laying down the tracks for eight new cuts on an as yet untitled album. 1985 Internat. Musician June 79/1 In fact, while laying down four bass parts all requiring different tones I kept the bass DI'd and the results were very pleasing. 1986 Keyboard Player Apr. 2/2 He..intends to demonstrate multi-track recording techniques by laying down eight different tracks ‘in public’. 1995 Mojo Feb. 104/3 They went to it with a collective will and lay down a very energetic, likeable collection of funk tracks. Draft additions 1997 to lay in Basketball. To bounce (the ball) off the backboard into the basket. Cf. lay-in n. ΚΠ 1976 J. Scott Bill Walton iii. 111 Silas grabs the ball and lays it in, making it 4–0 Denver. 1987 New Yorker 19 Jan. 28 Twice, she stole the ball beneath her own basket and raced coast-to-coast to lay it in. Draft additions 1997 to lay off Football, Hockey, etc. To pass (the ball) a short distance, esp. into open space for a team-mate to collect. ΘΚΠ society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > characteristics of team ball games > play team ball games [verb (transitive)] > actions or manoeuvres pass1865 to throw in1867 work1868 centre1877 shoot1882 field1883 tackle1884 chip1889 feed1889 screen1906 fake1907 slap1912 to turn over1921 tip-in1958 to lay off1965 spill1975 1965 Daily Express 13 Aug. 15/5 Laying off, playing the ball at one of your team-mates—almost bouncing it off him to get the ball back again. 1966 J. Greaves Soccer Techniques vi. 46 More and more we find that the ball must be passed straight to the feet of team-mates. Of course, if a man who receives such a pass lays the ball off first-time in an imaginative way it may be that he will be able to play it into an open space and let someone sprint on to it. 1970 Observer 19 Apr. 23/2 England were laying it off well but too slowly and the linkmen failed to break through often enough. 1976 Northumberland Gaz. 26 Nov. 19/4 Ross Mathie..rounded the 'keeper and laid the ball off for the waiting Laing. 1986 Open Rugby Sept. 16/3 Both are deceptively fast, difficult to tackle and lay the ball off well. Draft additions 1997 to lay on Angling. To lower (a weight or shot) into the water until it rests on the bottom with the hook and bait. Frequently absol. ΘΚΠ the world > food and drink > hunting > fishing > type or method of fishing > [verb (intransitive)] > fish with line > with weighted line to fish (lie) on or upon the grabble1726 drabble1799 to lay on1934 the world > food and drink > hunting > fishing > type or method of fishing > [verb (transitive)] > weight line shot1910 to lay on1975 1934 E. Marshall-Hardy Angling Ways xiv. 105 The illustration shows two methods of adjusting the tackle for stret-pegging or laying-on. 1959 Times 7 Feb. 9/3 I do not suggest that coarse fishermen should ‘lay on’ with small roach to catch bigger ones. 1975 Coarse Fishing (‘Know the Game’ Ser.) 29/1 If they [sc. the fish] are feeding confidently,..the shot can be laid on. 1991 Coarse Fishing Feb. 10/3 My set up was a bristle pole float, overshotted, so I could lay on and hold it perfectly still. Draft additions 1997 to lay over intransitive. = to lie over at lie v.¹ Phrasal verbs. U.S. colloquial. ΘΚΠ society > travel > [verb (intransitive)] > go on a journey > break one's journey call1642 to lay over1817 to stop over1855 to break one's journey1880 1817 Indiana Hist. Soc. Publ. (1918) 6 296 We concluded to put up for the night and to lay over the Sabbath. 1872 ‘M. Twain’ Roughing It ii. 28 You git out at Cottonwood..and lay over a couple o' days. 1922 R. Lardner in Cosmopolitan July 59/2 Our train laid over in Washington two hours till another train come along to pick us up and I got out and strolled up the platform and into the Union Station. 1956 ‘B. Holiday’ & W. Dufty Lady sings Blues xvii. 157 The Treasury agent fixed it so I'd arrive at the Philly jail on Friday night and have to lay over in that hellhole until Monday. 1986 New Yorker 26 May 62/3 One pilot..clipped part of a wingtip, and had to lay over while it was fixed. Draft additions 1997 lay-down, (as n.) an act of lying down, a rest; = lie-down n. at lie n.² Compounds; also ironic, a short stay in custody. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > ceasing > temporary cessation of activity or operation > [noun] > rest > in specific posture lie-down1840 stretch1856 sit-down1857 lay-down1897 society > authority > punishment > imprisonment > [noun] > sentence or term of > short lay-down1938 1897 National Police Gaz. (U.S.) 26 May 6/3 Nothing but ‘dub’ fights by novices, with now and then a deliberate ‘lay down’. 1909 E. Wyrall Spike vi. 44 In tramp language, it was at least a decent ‘lay down’—i.e., bed. 1937 D. L. Sayers Busman's Honeymoon vi. 137 What you want is a nice lay-down and a cupper tea. 1938 F. D. Sharpe Sharpe of Flying Squad 331 A lay down, a remand in custody. 1941 V. Davis Phenomena in Crime xix. 249 Joe..is remanded in Brixton Prison. A remand is called the ‘lay-down’. 1984 Police Rev. 23 Mar. 584/1 Time spent in prison often begins with a ‘laydown’, a short spell on remand. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1902; most recently modified version published online March 2021). layv.² Etymology: Aphetic < allay v.³, to mix. Obsolete. transitive. To mix or alloy n. (metals). ΘΚΠ society > occupation and work > industry > working with specific materials > working with metal > work with metal [verb (transitive)] > mix metals lay1489 alchemy1615 alloy1625 1489 Sc. Acts Jas. IV (1814) II. 221/1 Tuiching the article of goldsmythis, quilkis Layis and makkis falss mixtouris of ewill metale. 1554 in Accts. Ld. High Treasurer Scotl. Sept. Aucht unce of siluer, to mak ane assay of siluer and layit mony. a1572 J. Knox Hist. Reformation Scotl. in Wks. (1846) I. 403 Sche dois sua corrupt the layit money, and hes brocht it in sick basenes, and sic quantatie of scruiff, that [etc.]. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1902; most recently modified version published online March 2021). † layint. Obsolete. An exclamatory substitute for Lord! Π 1700 W. King Transactioneer ii. 33 Gent. Pray what's that? Transact. Oh lay! Why don't you know? This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1902; most recently modified version published online March 2021). > see also also refers to : lealeylayn.² also refers to : lealeylayadj. < n.¹a1000n.²c1175n.³a1225n.⁴a1240n.⁵a1400n.⁶c1480n.⁷1558n.⁸1789adj.n.⁹c1330v.¹c888v.²1489int.1700 see also
随便看	raking arch raking back raking bond raking crook raking down raking light raking machinery raking mould raking operation raking over raking piece raking plate raking prop raking stretcher bond raking table raking together raking work raking-coal raking-looking rakingcoal rakinglooking rakings rakis rakish rakish-looking

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