Emily Dickinson Lexicon
Definition for Lay (-ing, -s, laid)
lay (-ing, -s, laid), v. [OE lęcgan, cause to lie.]
- Exist; pass; be located.
- Make; create; produce; manufacture.
- Set; restore; return; put in place.
- Be positioned; be pointed; be headed in a certain direction.
- Arrange for; set on the table; place dishes in order for.
- Phrase. “lay down”: rest; recline; [fig.] fall to sleep; [metaphor] die; give up life for another (see John 15:13).
- Phrase. “lay … mad”: drive crazy; put in an excited state; cause to be angry, jealous, amazed, or frantic.
- Phase. “lay back”: return; put to rest in the grave.
- Phrase. “lay together”: compress; pack; squeeze; push towards each other.
- Phrase. “Now I lay thee down to sleep”: now I place you in a position to rest; [fig.] now I must resign myself to your death; [parody of the children's prayer “Now I lay me down to sleep”]: now I place you in the grave / I ask the Lord to watch over your body / And if you are still alive somewhere awaiting the resurrection / I ask the Lord to restore your soul's body to your soul's spirit.
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