📚 To put down 💰 To impose 🥚 To produce eggs 🎶 A poem or song 🧑 Not professional

lay

87 9.9

A short narrative poem or song from medieval times, often meant to be sung

noun
/leɪ/

Archaic

: balada

At the gathering, he shared an ancient lay that was passed down through generations.

Examples

Finnur Jonsson guesses the date of composition for this lay is 1120. Heimskringla, vol. I, 5-6.

Academic text (1996)
The bard recited a beautiful lay that told the story of a brave knight.
During the festival, they performed a traditional lay that celebrated their rich history.

Synonyms

verse

vslay

Literature

77 3.9

Writing with a regular rhythm that often rhymes

is a medieval narrative poem or song focusing on story and performance rather than meter

ballad

vslay

Literature

62 3.7

A song or poem that tells a story, often from folk tradition

is a medieval narrative poem or song usually for literary performance not folk tradition

lai

vslay

Archaic

9.9

A short medieval poem that tells a romantic story from legend

is a medieval narrative poem or song more general than the French romantic form

Idioms

lay of the land

Informal

16 4.5

The current situation and main facts about a place or group

to lay down the law

Informal

12 5.5

Tell people firmly what they must do

to lay it on the line

Informal

3 7.8

To speak honestly and directly, even if it may cause trouble

to lay at the feet of

1 8.1

To say someone caused or deserves credit for something

to lay on the charm

Informal

1 5.8

Act very friendly and say nice things to get what you want

to lay the blame at the feet of (someone)

1 6.9

To say someone caused a problem or is at fault

to lay one's head

4.2

To find a place to sleep or rest

to lay one's tongue to

Archaic

9.8

To say a word correctly, often with difficulty

to lay on the sauce

Informal

8.4

To put a lot of sauce on food or to use too much of something

to lay the dust of controversy

Archaic

8.3

End arguments about a decision by giving a clear answer

Compounds

lay-up

Jargon

5 3.4

A close shot near the basket in basketball made with one hand, often off the backboard

lay-by

1 5.9

A paved area beside a main road where vehicles stop briefly to rest or in an emergency

lay reader

Jargon

1 8.6

A person chosen by a church leader to lead readings, prayers, and short talks

lay witness

Jargon

1 6.9

A person who gives evidence in court about what they personally saw or experienced

lay figure

Archaic

9.8

A model of the human body with movable joints that artists use to set and study poses

How Long

epic

Literature

44 5.5

lay

Archaic

87 9.9

ballad

Literature

62 3.7

song

∞ 1.0

ditty

22 5.9

Surface Forms

lay singular

lays plural

Etymology

Lay (noun) comes from an old French word lai for a short poem or song often told in medieval Brittany, so a lay is like a little sung story.