lay figure
noun
a jointed model of the human body, usually of wood, from which artists work in the absence of a living model.
a similar figure used in shops to display costumes.
a person of no importance, individuality, distinction, etc.; nonentity.
Origin of lay figure
1785–95;
lay, extracted from obsolete
layman < Dutch
leeman, variant of
ledenman, equivalent to
leden- (combining form of
lid limb, cognate with Old English, Middle English
lith) +
man
man1)
Words nearby lay figure
lay day,
lay days,
lay down,
lay down the law,
lay eyes on,
lay figure,
lay for,
lay hands on,
lay hold of,
lay in,
lay intermediary
Example sentences from the Web for lay figure
British Dictionary definitions for lay figure
lay figure
noun
an artist's jointed dummy, used in place of a live model, esp for studying effects of drapery
a person considered to be subservient or unimportant
Word Origin for lay figure
C18: from obsolete
layman, from Dutch
leeman, literally: joint-man