DictionarylayNarrative verse
noun

lay

a short story told in verse

The medieval lay tells of a knight's long journey.

Etymology

The Old French word named a song or short narrative poem. The English literary sense preserves that form of a story told in verse.

More examples

  • She translated a French lay into modern English.
  • The singer performed three ancient lays.
  • We studied a lay about a mysterious white deer.

Forms

lay · lays

Similar words

ballad
Usually a narrative song with repeated rhythmic stanzas.
poem
Broader; does not imply a short sung narrative.