The spelling of "lay on table" is phonetically transcribed as /leɪ ɒn ˈteɪbəl/. The first part "lay" is pronounced with a long "a" sound as in "say" followed by a short "e" sound as in "bed". The second part "on" is pronounced with a short "o" sound as in "lot" followed by an "n" sound. The last part "table" is pronounced with a long "a" sound as in "say" followed by a "b" sound and a short "u" sound as in "run" before the final "l" sound.
"Lay on table" is a parliamentary procedure used in legislatures, specifically during meetings or sessions, where a proposal or a motion is set aside or deferred temporarily without any debate or discussion. This term is primarily used in countries such as the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.
When a member of the legislative body makes a motion to "lay on table," they are essentially requesting that the proposal or motion be postponed for a later time which could be within the same session or a future one. The purpose of employing this procedure is to temporarily suspend or delay consideration of the specific matter in question. The motion to "lay on table" is usually presented after the matter has been introduced but before any debate or voting occurs.
Once the proposal or motion is successfully laid on the table, it remains there until it is either taken up again for further consideration, or in some cases, it may end up being permanently abandoned or withdrawn. It is important to note that when an item is "laid on table," it typically takes precedence over other general matters of business.
The fundamental purpose of this procedure is to allow the legislative body to address pressing or more immediate matters first, providing an efficient means to manage the agenda and streamline discussions without completely dismissing the proposal or motion in question.