Real Dictionary

lay adjective uses
You use lay to describe people who are involved with a Christian church but are not members of the clergy or are not monks or nuns.
You use lay to describe people who are not experts or professionals in a particular subject or activity.

lay in American English 1
to cause to come down or fall with force; knock down, as from an erect position
intransitive verb: to lay eggs
transitive verb: to put or place in a horizontal position or position of rest; set down

lay in American English 2
of or consisting of the laity, or ordinary people, as distinguished from the clergy
verb

lay in American English 3
lie1
adjective: belonging to, pertaining to, or performed by the people or laity, as distinguished from the clergy

lay in American English 4
a short poem, esp. a narrative poem, orig. for singing as by a medieval minstrel
noun: a short narrative or other poem, esp. one to be sung

lay in American English 5
noun: a movable frame that contains the shuttles, the race plate, and the reed, and that by its oscillating motion beats the filling yarn into place

lay in British English 1
verb: to put in a low or horizontal position; cause to lie

lay in British English 2
adjective: of, involving, or belonging to people who are not clergy

lay in British English 3
noun: a ballad or short narrative poem, esp one intended to be sung

lay in British English 4
verb

lay verb and noun uses
verb: If you lay something somewhere, you put it there in a careful, gentle, or neat way.
verb: If you lay the table or lay the places at a table, you arrange the knives, forks, and other things that people need on the table before a meal.