lay in WordNet English dictionary

1. a narrative poem of popular origin
   ballad  lay 
   
2. a narrative song with a recurrent refrain
   ballad  lay 
   

1. characteristic of those who are not members of the clergy
   "set his collar in laic rather than clerical position"; "the lay ministry"
   laic  lay  secular 
   
2. not of or from a profession
   "a lay opinion as to the cause of the disease"
   lay 
   

1. put in a horizontal position
   "lay the books on the table"; "lay the patient carefully onto the bed"
   lay  put down  repose 
   
2. put into a certain place or abstract location
   "Put your things here"; "Set the tray down"; "Set the dogs on the scent of the missing children"; "Place emphasis on a certain point"
   put  set  place  pose  position  lay 
   
3. lay eggs
   "This hen doesn't lay"
   lay 
   
4. prepare or position for action or operation
   "lay a fire"; "lay the foundation for a new health care plan"
   lay 
   
5. impose as a duty, burden, or punishment
   "lay a responsibility on someone"
   lay