English
lay down
Lay down comes from Middle English leyen doun.
- Middle Englishc. 1150–1500leyen doun
- Englishearliest quotation 1893lay down
attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed
Lineage
- Middle Englishc. 1150–1500leyen doun
- Englishearliest quotation 1893lay down
Earliest quotation: 1893, William Morris: “Well, I lay it down, first, that a book…”
Every English word from Middle English leyen doun
Today it means
verb To give up, surrender, or yield (e.g. a weapon), usually by placing it on the ground.
Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.
Etymograph / Middle English leyen doun / lay down