Lay down a condition (5)

I believe the answer is:

state

I believe this clue is a double definition.

'lay down' is the first definition.
(thesaurus)

'a condition' is the second definition.
(the state something is in)

(Other definitions for state that I've seen before include "Civil government of a country" , "Condition of country." , "Specify condition" , "Say; nation" , "Speak" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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