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Meaning of lay figure | Babel Free

Noun CEFR B2

Definitions

A jointed model of the human body used by artists, or to display clothes.
An unimportant person; a character (especially in fiction) lacking individuality.

Examples

“‘I have a great mind to break all your gashly images about the head of your fine Miss, in her silks and satins;’—mistaking his lay-figure for a living model of the highest sort.”

“‘I rather thought I was useful as an audience, but only as a lay figure is useful to a painter: both can be put aside when no longer required.’”

CEFR level

B2

Upper Intermediate
This word is part of the CEFR B2 vocabulary — upper intermediate level.

See also

lay hands on lay hold of lay into lay investiture lay it on thick lay judge