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# lay

verb (lay, lays, laid, laying); also the past of «lie» (lie, lay, lain)

«lay» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. To lay is to put something down carefully, often flat: «lay the baby in the cot». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/lay/#m1)
2. A hen lays an egg when the egg comes out of her body. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/lay/#m2)
3. To lay the table is to put out plates, knives and forks for a meal. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/lay/#m3)
4. To lay bricks or carpet is to put them in place. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/lay/#m4)
5. «Lay» is also the past form of «lie» (to rest flat): «He lay on the grass». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/lay/#m5)
6. Lay can also mean to bet, so "I lay she is loaded" means "I bet she is loaded." [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/lay/#m6)

### In the lessons

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

### Examples

- Each hen lays 1 egg a day. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/lay/#x1)
- 5 hens lay how many eggs in a week? [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/lay/#x2)
- He lays 40 bricks an hour. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/lay/#x3)
- She laid 6 plates on the table. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/lay/#x4)
- Please lay the table for dinner. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/lay/#x5)
- Turtles lay their eggs in the sand. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/lay/#x6)
- He lay on the grass and looked at the clouds. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/lay/#x7)
- Lay your coat on the bed. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/lay/#x8)
- "Well, I lay she's loaded, boss. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/lay/#x9)

### Note

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

## In Jewish tradition

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

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

### Examples

- And thou shalt put oil upon it, and lay frankincense thereon; it is a meal-offering. (Torah LEV.2.15, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/L/lay/#x1)
- And Pharaoh turned and went into his house, neither did he lay even this to heart. (Torah EXO.7.23, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/L/lay/#x2)
- He couched, he lay down as a lion, and as a lioness; who shall rouse him up? (Torah NUM.24.9, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/L/lay/#x3)
- I lay my hand upon my mouth. (Writings JOB.40.4, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/L/lay/#x4)
- How long will ye lay snares for words? (Writings JOB.18.2, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/L/lay/#x5)
- My son, keep my words, and lay up my commandments with thee. (Writings PRO.7.1, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/L/lay/#x6)

### Note

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

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «lay» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/lay/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«lay» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/lay.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «lay» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/L/lay/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«lay» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/lay.html) on Mova free.