Set (a table) (4)
(Other definitions for lay that I've seen before include "Not clerical or professionally qualified" , "Put down; lyric" , "Put down (eg, card)" , "Unprofessional" , "Narrative poem" .)
'set a table' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
This is the entire clue.
(Other definitions for laid that I've seen before include "Placed horizontally on a surface" , "tables may be?" , "(Of dining table) set" , "Produced (an egg)" , "Doze" .)