lay /leɪ/ CET4 TEM4 ( laying, laid, lays )

• 1. 

  V-T If you lay something somewhere, you put it there in a careful, gentle, or neat way. 放置

  例：

  Lay a sheet of newspaper on the floor.

  把一张报纸放在地板上。

  例：

  Mothers routinely lay babies on their backs to sleep.

  母亲们通常会把婴儿平躺着放下睡觉。

• 2. 

  V-T If you lay something such as carpets, cables, or foundations, you put them into their permanent position. 铺设

  例：

  A man came to lay the carpet.

  一名男子来铺地毯。

• 3. 

  V-T/V-I When a female bird lays, or lays an egg, it produces an egg by pushing it out of its body. 下 (蛋)

  例：

  My canary has laid an egg.

  我的金丝雀下了一个蛋。

• 4. 

  V-T Lay is used with some nouns to talk about making official preparations for something. For example, if you lay the basis for something or lay plans for it, you prepare it carefully. 奠定 (基础); 制定 (规划)

  例：

  Diplomats meeting in Chile have laid the groundwork for far-reaching environmental regulations.

  在智利会晤的外交官们已经为长远的环境保护规则奠定了基础。

• 5. 

  V-T Lay is used with some nouns in expressions about accusing or blaming someone. For example, if you lay the blame for a mistake on someone, you say it is their fault, or if the police lay charges against someone, they officially accuse that person of a crime. 归罪于

  例：

  She refused to lay the blame on any one party.

  她拒绝归罪于任何一方。

• 6. 

  V-T If you lay the table or lay the places at a table, you arrange the knives, forks, and other things that people need on the table before a meal. 摆放 (餐具) [老式]

  例：

  The butler always laid the table.

  餐具总是由管家来摆放。

• 7. 

  to lay something at someone's door →see door

• 8. 

  to lay a finger on someone →see finger

• 9. 

  to lay your hands on something →see hand

• 10. 

  to lay siege to something →see siege