Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word lay figure. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word lay figure, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say lay figure in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word lay figure you have here. The definition of the word lay figure will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition oflay figure, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
A jointed model of the human body used by artists, or to display clothes.
1828, JT Smith, Nollekens and His Times, Century Hutchinson, published 1986, page 243:
‘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.
1984, Anita Brookner, Hotel du Lac, Penguin, published 2016, page 76:
‘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.’
An unimportant person; a character (especially in fiction) lacking individuality.
