Lay-by

Lay-by

Noun · /ˈleɪ.baɪ/

Definition

(British English) a small area at the side of a road where vehicles can stop temporarily without obstructing the flow of traffic; in Australia and New Zealand, a system of purchasing goods by paying a deposit and paying the balance in instalments before taking delivery.

Origin

From lay (to place, to set down) + by (to the side, nearby). The road-side stopping place was created as road traffic increased in the early to mid 20th century. The instalment purchasing sense is a different development of the same compound in Australian and New Zealand English.