shuttle race

Lay \Lay\, n.
   1. That which lies or is laid or is conceived of as having
      been laid or placed in its position; a row; a stratum; a
      layer; as, a lay of stone or wood. --Addison.
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            A viol should have a lay of wire strings below.
                                                  --Bacon.
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   Note: The lay of a rope is right-handed or left-handed
         according to the hemp or strands are laid up. See
         {Lay}, v. t., 16. The lay of land is its topographical
         situation, esp. its slope and its surface features.
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   2. A wager. "My fortunes against any lay worth naming."
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   3.
      (a) A job, price, or profit. [Prov. Eng.] --Wright.
      (b) A share of the proceeds or profits of an enterprise;
          as, when a man ships for a whaling voyage, he agrees
          for a certain lay. [U. S.]
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   4. (Textile Manuf.)
      (a) A measure of yarn; a lea. See 1st {Lea}
      (a) .
      (b) The lathe of a loom. See {Lathe}, 3.
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   5. A plan; a scheme. [Slang] --Dickens.
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   {Lay figure}.
      (a) A jointed model of the human body that may be put in
          any attitude; -- used for showing the disposition of
          drapery, etc.
      (b) A mere puppet; one who serves the will of others
          without independent volition.

   {Lay race}, that part of a lay on which the shuttle travels
      in weaving; -- called also {shuttle race}.

   {the lay of the land}, the general situation or state of
      affairs.

   {to get the lay of the land}, to learn the general situation
      or state of affairs, especially in preparation for action.
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