lay

• Qualifie une personne qui n'appartient pas à une profession donnée ou qui ne possède pas de connaissances spécialisées dans un domaine particulier. Peut aussi désigner ce qui n'est pas ecclésiastique ou religieux.

Describes someone who is not a member of a particular profession or who lacks specialized knowledge in a specific field.

1. Non-clericalB2formal

   Relating to people who are not members of the clergy or a religious order.

   Laïque / Laïc (non-clérical)

   • The lay members of the church organized the charity event.
   • He is a lay preacher who volunteers at the local parish.
   • The council includes both clergy and lay representatives.

   Synonymeslaicsecular

   Antonymesclericalecclesiasticalreligious

2. Non-professionalB2formal

   Not belonging to or trained in a particular profession or specialized field.

   profane

   • The book is written for a lay audience, avoiding technical jargon.
   • A lay person might find the legal documents confusing.
   • The report was reviewed by both experts and lay readers.

   Synonymesamateurinexpertnonprofessionalunqualifiedunschooleduntrained

   Antonymesexpertprofessional

• Nom désignant un court poème narratif ou une chanson, souvent d'origine populaire et destinée à être chantée, généralement avec un refrain répété.

A noun referring to a short narrative poem or song, often of popular origin and intended to be sung, typically featuring a refrain.

1. Narrative song with refrainC1formal

   A short narrative song or lyric poem, often with a recurring refrain, popular in medieval times.

   Lai (poème narratif avec refrain)

   • The minstrel performed a lay about the brave knight.
   • She sang a haunting lay with a repeating chorus.
   • The old lay told the story of a tragic love affair.

   Synonymesballadroundelay

2. C1formal

   A narrative poem of popular origin, often telling a romantic or heroic story.

   Lai (poème narratif médiéval)

   • The poet composed a lay about the adventures of a sea captain.
   • This ancient lay has been passed down through generations.
   • He recited a lay that celebrated the beauty of the countryside.

   Synonymesballaddittypoemsong

• Verbe utilisé pour désigner l'action de placer quelque chose avec soin ou précaution, ou pour disposer ou installer quelque chose dans une position donnée.

A verb used to indicate the act of putting something down gently or carefully, or to arrange or set something in position.

verbe irrégulier

1. Put into a certain place or abstract locationA2formal

   To place something carefully in a specific position or location.

   poser, étendre avec soin

   • She laid the book on the table.
   • He laid the blame on his colleague.
   • They laid the foundation for the new building.

   Synonymesdepositplaceplantpositionputrestsetsituate

   Antonymesliftraiseremove

2. Put in a horizontal positionA2formal

   To set something down flat or in a resting position.

   poser à plat

   • She laid the baby gently in the crib.
   • He laid the carpet across the floor.
   • The workers laid the tiles in a straight line.

   Synonymesdepositplaceplantpositionputrestsetsettle

   Antonymeserectraisestandupright

3. Prepare or position for action or operationB1formal

   To arrange or set up something for a specific purpose or use.

   préparer, disposer

   • They laid the table for dinner.
   • The general laid out the battle plan.
   • She laid the groundwork for the project.

   Synonymesarrangeestablishfixplacepositionprepareputsetset upspread

4. Lay eggsA2formal

   To produce eggs from the body, typically used for birds, reptiles, or insects.

   Pondre (des œufs)

   • The hen laid three eggs this morning.
   • Sea turtles lay their eggs on the beach.
   • The bird laid a clutch of five eggs.

   Synonymesdepositspawn

5. Impose as a duty, burden, or punishmentB2formal

   To assign or enforce something, such as a responsibility, tax, or penalty.

   Imposer comme devoir, charge ou punition

   • The court laid a heavy fine on the company.
   • The new law lays a tax on luxury goods.
   • They laid the responsibility for the failure on the manager.

   Synonymesassignburdenchargeexactimposeinflictlevyplaceput

   Antonymesabsolveexemptliftrelieveremove

Variantes phrasallay awaylay downlay inlay intolay offlay outlay overlay up

• Verbe désignant l'action de dire quelque chose de faux ou de trompeur, de ne pas dire la vérité.

A verb used to indicate the act of telling something untrue or not true.

verbe irrégulier

1. Recline or restA1formal

   To be in a flat position on a surface, usually horizontal.

   être allongé / être couché

   • She lay on the bed to rest.
   • The book lay open on the table.
   • He lay down on the grass to watch the clouds.

   Synonymeslollloungereclinereposerestsprawlstretch out

   Antonymesariserisesitstand

2. Say something untrueA2formal

   To say or tell something that is not true, intentionally deceive.

   mentir

   • He lied about his age to get the job.
   • Don't lie to your parents.
   • She lied when she said she didn't take the money.

   Synonymesdeceivedissembleequivocatefabricatefalsifyfibinventmisleadperjureprevaricate

3. Be located or situatedB1formal

   To be in a particular position or place.

   être situé

   • The treasure lies buried under the old tree.
   • The fault lies with the management.
   • The decision lies in your hands.

   Synonymesrestsit

Variantes phrasallie aroundlie downlie inlie with