ˈlāəd.ē, -ətē, -i noun
( -es )
Etymology: lay (V) + -ty
1. : the great body of the people of a religious faith as distinguished from its clergy
2. : the great body of the people as distinguished from those of a particular profession (as medicine or law) or those specially skilled
writers who can interpret this wholeness, both to their colleagues and the laity — P.B.Sears