Emily Dickinson Lexicon

LAY, n.¹

1. That which lies or is laid; a row; a stratum; a layer; one rank in a series reckoned upward; as, a lay of wood. A viol should have a lay of wire-strings below. – Bacon.
2. A bet; a wager. [Little used.] – Graunt.
3. Station; rank. [Not used.]