n. [ See Lay, a. ] 1. The people, as distinguished from the clergy; the body of the people not in orders. [ 1913 Webster ]
A rising up of the laity against the sacerdotal caste. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]
2. The state of a layman. [ Obs. ] Ayliffe. [ 1913 Webster ]
3. Those who are not of a certain profession, as law or medicine, in distinction from those belonging to it. [ 1913 Webster ]