Lay, a.
1. Of or pertaining to the laity, as distinct from the clergy; as, a lay person; a lay preacher; a lay brother.
2. Not educated or cultivated; ignorant. [Obs.]
3. Not belonging to, or emanating from, a particular profession; unprofessional; as, a lay opinion regarding the nature of a disease.
Lay baptism Eccl., baptism administered by a lay person. --F. G. Lee.
Lay brother R. C. Ch., one received into a convent of monks under the three vows, but not in holy orders.
Lay clerk Eccl., a layman who leads the responses of the congregation, etc., in the church service. --Hook.
Lay days Com., time allowed in a charter party for taking in and discharging cargo. --McElrath.
Lay elder. See 2d Elder, 3, note.