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lain

verb
LAYN/leɪn/

3 meanings of lain

Practice

  1. 1
    verb
    Past participle of lie. Use it after has, have or had.

    The keys had lain under the couch for days before anyone found them.

    The dog had lain by the fire all evening without moving.

    Note
  2. 2
    verbcolloquial
    Past participle of lay. A nonstandard form heard in casual speech. The standard form is laid.

    "Who's lain all these wet towels on the couch?" Mom shouted from the living room.

    "I know I've lain my keys down somewhere," he said, checking his pockets again.

    Note
  3. 3
    verbobsolete
    To hide something or keep it a secret.
    Note

lain is a form of lie

lie, verb: To say something you know is not true so that others believe it. Full entry

Forms
lielies he/she/itlying -ing formlay past tenselain past participle
Spelling
lie → lain: irregular (no -ed)

Practice

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Origin

This word comes from Middle English lainen, which came from Old Norse leyna meaning "to conceal" and Old English līeġnan meaning "to deny or conceal."