n.
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French lai, from Late Latin laicus, from Greek laikos of the people, from laos people
Date: 15th century
1 : of or relating to the laity : not ecclesiastical
2 : of or relating to members of a religious house occupied with domestic or manual work <a lay brother>
3 : not of a particular profession <the lay public> also : lacking extensive knowledge of a particular subject