lay
Translation
to put, to place, to produce (an egg)
Examples
She laid the book on the table.
She laid the book on the table.
The hen laid an egg this morning.
The hen laid an egg this morning.
They are laying the foundations for the new house.
They are laying the foundations for the new house.
Grammar Patterns
((sth.)) ((somewhere)) to put (sth.) (somewhere) She laid the book on the table.
Similar Words
Synonyms: place, put, set; Antonyms: lift, raise. Often confused with the intransitive verb 'lie' (to recline).
Etymology
From Old English 'lecgan' meaning 'to place', related to German 'legen'.
Memory Tips
Remember 'lay something down'. It's a transitive verb that always needs an object. A hen lays an egg.