The throstle cock made eke his lay.
Chaucer.
Lay (l), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Laid (ld); p. pr. & vb. n. Laying.] [OE.
leggen, AS. lecgan, causative, fr. licgan to lie; akin to D. leggen, G.
legen, Icel. leggja, Goth. lagjan. See Lie to be prostrate.] 1. To
cause to lie down, to be prostrate, or to lie against something; to put
or set down; to deposit; as, to lay a book on the table; to lay a body
in the grave; a shower lays the dust.
A stone was brought, and laid upon the mouth of the den.
Dan. vi. 17.
Soft on the flowery herb I found me laid.
Milton.
2. To place in position; to establish firmly; to arrange with
regularity; to dispose in ranks or tiers; as, to lay a corner stone; to
lay bricks in a wall; to lay the covers on a table.
3. To prepare; to make ready; to contrive; to provide; as, to lay a
snare, an ambush, or a plan.