down
1.
to put sth down or stop using it
SYN put down :
She laid the book down on the table.
Both sides were urged to lay down their arms (= stop fighting) .
2.
( formal ) to stop doing a job, etc. :
to lay down your duties
3.
if you lay down a rule or a principle, you state officially that people must obey it or use it :
You can't lay down hard and fast rules.
[+ that ]
It is laid down that all candidates must submit three copies of their dissertation.
4.
[ usually passive ] to produce sth that is stored and gradually increases :
If you eat too much, the surplus is laid down as fat.