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lay figure Definition

lay figure

noun

  1. an artist's jointed model of the human form, on which drapery is arranged to get the proper effect
  2. a person who is a mere puppet or a nonentity

Etymology: earlier layman < Du leeman < MDu led, limb, joint, akin to OE lith, limb + man, man

lay figure Synonyms

lay figure

n.

nonentity, puppet, zero, non-person; see nobody 2.