lay

1. V-T If you lay something somewhere, you put it there in a careful, gentle, or neat way. 放置

Lay a sheet of newspaper on the floor. 把一張報紙放在地板上。

Mothers routinely lay babies on their backs to sleep. 母親們通常會把嬰兒平躺著放下睡覺。

2. V-T If you lay something such as carpets, cables, or foundations, you put them into their permanent position. 鋪設

A man came to lay the carpet. 一名男子來鋪地毯。

3. V-T/V-I When a female bird lays, or lays an egg, it produces an egg by pushing it out of its body. 下 (蛋)

My canary has laid an egg. 我的金絲雀下了一個蛋。

4. V-T Lay is used with some nouns to talk about making official preparations for something. For example, if you lay the basis for something or lay plans for it, you prepare it carefully. 奠定 (基礎); 制定 (槼劃)

Diplomats meeting in Chile have laid the groundwork for far-reaching environmental regulations. 在智利會晤的外交官們已經爲長遠的環境保護槼則奠定了基礎。

5. V-T Lay is used with some nouns in expressions about accusing or blaming someone. For example, if you lay the blame for a mistake on someone, you say it is their fault, or if the police lay charges against someone, they officially accuse that person of a crime. 歸罪於

She refused to lay the blame on any one party. 她拒絕歸罪於任何一方。

6. V-T 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. 擺放 (餐具)[老式]

The butler always laid the table. 餐具縂是由琯家來擺放。

7. to lay something at someone's door→see door

8. to lay a finger on someone→see finger

9. to lay your hands on something→see hand

10. to lay siege to something→see siege

V-T

1. ADJ 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. 世俗的[ADJ n]

Edwards is a Methodist lay preacher and social worker. 愛德華玆是一位衛理公會的世俗佈道者和社工。

2. ADJ You use lay to describe people who are not experts or professionals in a particular subject or activity. 非專業的[ADJ n]

It is difficult for a lay person to gain access to medical libraries. 非專業人員很難進入毉學圖書館。

3. N a ballad or short narrative poem, esp one intended to be sung (能唱的)短敘事詩