Lay

n.
  1. That which lies or is laid or is conceived of as having been laid or placed in its position; a row; a stratum; a layer; as, a lay of stone or wood.
  2. A wager.
  3. A plan; a scheme.
    1. A job, price, or profit.
    2. A share of the proceeds or profits of an enterprise; as, when a man ships for a whaling voyage, he agrees for a certain lay.
    3. A measure of yarn; a lea. See 1st Lea (a).
    4. The lathe of a loom. See Lathe, 3.
    Lay figure
    1. A jointed model of the human body that may be put in any attitude; -- used for showing the disposition of drapery, etc.
    2. A mere puppet; one who serves the will of others without independent volition.
    Lay race ,
    that part of a lay on which the shuttle travels in weaving; -- called also shuttle race.
    the lay of the land ,
    the general situation or state of affairs.
    to get the lay of the land ,
    to learn the general situation or state of affairs, especially in preparation for action.