transitive verb
1. : to put aside or give up (something borne) : surrender
called on them to lay their arms down
laid down his kingly power
2. obsolete : to put down as a wager, stake, or payment
3.
a. : to construct or put in place the foundation or main framework or features of
inherited tendencies … do not operate as they do in birds or ants to lay down inexorably his whole way of life — Ruth Benedict
b. : establish , prescribe
lays down common codes for reporting so that all countries understand each other's messages — J.M.Stagg
scale laid down for a map
c. : to assert or command dogmatically : expound or state positively
lay down the law
it may be laid down as a maxim, that wherever a great deal can be made by the use of money — Adam Smith
d. : to lay off (sense 1)
4. : to plant or sow (a field) with a crop ; also : to plant (a crop)
had already laid his melons down
5. archaic : to cause (a ship) to lie on the side — used of the wind or sea
6. archaic : to lay embroidery on
7.
a. : to store or put in a supply of (as wine) in a cellar
b. : to pack for aging
lay down sauerkraut
or preservation
lay down eggs in waterglass
8. : to deliver (merchandise) at a specified destination
9.
a. : meld
b. : to lead or play (a card) in bridge
intransitive verb
1. : to lie down
2. : to meld as many matched sets as one has in rummy