1.the lay of sth
(position)…的放置方式；…的布局；…的位置
He sent out scouts to spy out the lay of the enemy camp.他派出侦察兵探察敌营位置。
He looked round him to get the lay of the room.他环顾四周, 了解了一下房间的布局。
2.<粗>(sex)性交；交媾
3.<冒犯>(sexual partner)床友；性伴侣
4.(in rope-making)(绳索的)绞向