I. ˈlā noun
( -s )
Etymology: French, from Old French — more at lay
1. : a medieval type of short tale in French literature that is usually in octosyllabic verse and deals with subjects of Celtic origin often connected with Arthur or the Round Table
2. : a medieval type of lyric poem revived in the 17th century and composed in unsymmetrical couplets each sung to its own melody
II. ˈlī noun
( plural lai or lais )
Usage: usually capitalized
1.
a. : a Mongoloid people of the Chin Hills in Burma
b. : a member of such people
2. : the Tibeto-Burman language of the Lai people