Phrase guide

lay open

verb · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

verb

Meaning 1

To publish a patent for initial public review, prior to the formal application for registration.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: Japan, South-Korea

Topics: intellectual-property, law, patent-law

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To expose or reveal (something).

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

Examples

  • to lay oneself open to criticism

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

To open (something) through cutting or scissoring.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

3 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • German: offenlegen — East Asian patent publication
  • Japanese: 公開する (kōkaisuru) — East Asian patent publication
  • Korean: 공개하다 (gonggaehada) — East Asian patent publication