lay away transitive verb Etymology: Middle English leyen away, from leyen to lay + away 1.: to lay aside 2.: to store for preservation or future use 3.: to spread (hides) flat in tanning liquor 4.: bury, inter 5. a.: to put (specified cards) in the crib in cribbage b.: to bury (specified cards or cards worth a specified number of points) in pinochle < lay two kings away > < laid away 18 points >