adj. 1 a non-clerical. b not ordained into the clergy. 2 a not professionally qualified, esp. in law or medicine. b of or done by such persons. lay brother (or sister) a person who has taken the vows of a religious order but is not ordained and is employed in ancillary or manual work. lay reader a lay person licensed to conduct some religious services.
[ ME f. OF lai f. eccl.L laicus f. Gk laïkos LAIC ]