Function: transitive verb
Date: 13th century
1 : to give up : SURRENDER < lay down your arms>
2 a : ESTABLISH , PRESCRIBE < lay down a scale for a map> b : to assert or command dogmatically < lay down the law>
3 a : STORE , PRESERVE < laid down a young wine> b : RECORD < laying down songs for their new album>
4 a : to direct toward a target < lay down a barrage> b : to hit along the ground < laid down a sacrifice bunt>
intransitive verb nonstandard : to lie down