lay figure

lay figure

noun

Definition of LAY FIGURE

1

: a jointed model of the human body used by artists to show the disposition of drapery

2

: a person so compliant as to be likened to a puppet

Examples of LAY FIGURE

1. <the novel's characters are not fully fleshed humans, but are simply lay figures strutted out to serve as mouthpieces for conflicting points of view>

Origin of LAY FIGURE

obsolete English layman lay figure, from Dutch leeman

First Known Use: 1795

Related to LAY FIGURE

Synonyms: cat's-paw, instrument, ¹pawn, puppet, tool

Related Words: chump, dupe, foil, gull, sucker, victim; minion, stooge; lap dog, yes-man

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