to place or put something down gently
She laid the baby on the bed.
彼女は赤ちゃんをベッドに置いた。
to spread something over a surface
They laid newspaper over the floor.
彼らは床に新聞を敷いた。
to put something down for use
The workers are laying the foundation.
労働者は基礎を敷いている。
to produce eggs or offspring
The hens are laying eggs.
ひなが卵を産んでいる。
to arrange items on a table for a meal
She laid the table for dinner.
彼女はディナーのためのテーブルを整えた。
to present a proposal or document
The committee laid the report before the meeting.
委員会は会議前に報告書を提出した。
to put someone or something in a difficult position
His actions laid the company in trouble.
彼の行動が会社を困難に立たせた。
to emphasize the importance of something
The teacher lays great stress on grammar.
先生は文法に大きな重きを置いている。
to make plans or arrangements
She is laying her plans for the future.
彼女は将来のための計画を立てている。
to have sexual intercourse with someone
He got laid after the party.
パーティーの後、彼は解雇された。
to prepare a fire by arranging materials
Can you lay the fire for me?
火を起こってくれますか?
to bet money on an uncertain outcome
I'll lay you 10 to 1 it won't happen.
10対1で賭けて、これは起こらないだろう。
not having professional knowledge or training
Lay people often misunderstand the law.
一般の人々は法律をよく誤解する。
not belonging to the religious profession
She is a lay member of the church council.
彼女は教会評議会の世俗会員です。
a sexual partner
He's a great lay.
彼は素晴らしい素人です。
a narrative poem often set to music