lay figure

See in Thesaurus

  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

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

See lay figure in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun
  1. See mannequin.
  2. A subservient or insignificant person.

Origin:

Origin: From obsolete layman

Origin: , from Dutch leeman

Origin: , variant of ledenman

Origin: : obsolete Dutch led, limb (from Middle Dutch lit)

Origin: + man, man (from Middle Dutch; see manikin)

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© 1996-2013 LoveToKnow, Corp. All Rights Reserved. Audio pronunciation provided by LoveToKnow, Corp.