lay

lay

¹

a portion of the catch or the profits from a whaling or fishing expedition

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lay

²

of, involving, or belonging to people who are not clergy

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lay

³

1. a ballad or short narrative poem, esp one intended to be sung

2. a song or melody

Collins Discovery Encyclopedia, 1st edition © HarperCollins Publishers 2005

lay

[lā]

(design engineering)

The direction, length, or angle of twist of the strands in a rope or cable.

(metallurgy)

The direction of the prevailing surface pattern on a piece of metal after grinding, cutting, lapping, or other processing.

(mining engineering)

A share of profit.

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific & Technical Terms, 6E, Copyright © 2003 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.