The phrase "lay aside" is spelled with separate words, with "lay" being the verb and "aside" being the adverb. The phonetic transcription of "lay" in IPA is /leɪ/, which uses the long A sound for the vowel. "Aside" is transcribed as /əˈsaɪd/, with the schwa sound followed by the long I sound. When combined, the phrase is pronounced as "lay-uh-side", with the stress on the second syllable of "aside". This phrase means to set something aside or to stop thinking about it temporarily.
The phrase "lay aside" is a verb phrase that is commonly used to denote the act of setting something aside or putting it away in order to be dealt with at a later time. It involves the intentional act of temporarily disregarding or suspending a particular object, task, or concern.
In a literal sense, "lay aside" refers to physically placing an item in a location separate from its usual place. For example, one may "lay aside" a book on a shelf after finishing reading it.
In a figurative sense, "lay aside" is often used to describe the act of temporarily setting aside or disregarding a thought, emotion, or personal concern in order to focus one's attention elsewhere. It implies an intentional and temporary withdrawal from a particular matter. For instance, within a difficult or contentious discussion, an individual might choose to "lay aside" their personal biases or emotions in order to objectively assess the situation.
Furthermore, "lay aside" can also suggest the act of saving or storing something for future use or reference. This could involve putting aside money for savings or setting aside important documents or resources for later access.
Overall, "lay aside" encompasses the notion of intentionally setting something aside, either physically or mentally, with the intention of revisiting or addressing it later.
The word "lay" in "lay aside" comes from the Old English word "lecgan", which means "to put" or "to place". "Aside", on the other hand, is derived from the Middle English word "asiden", which meant "to one side" or "away from". When combined, "lay aside" means "to put something to the side" or "to set something apart". This expression is often used to convey the act of temporarily stopping or suspending something.