To lay out or arrange beforehand; to prepare or set in place in advance.
From 'fore-' (before) + 'lay' (to place). This archaic verb combines Old English elements to describe the action of pre-arranging something, similar to how 'lay out' works in modern English.
Medieval craftsmen would 'forelay' their tools and materials before starting work—it's essentially the original meaning of 'laying out your workspace,' showing how timeless human organization habits are.
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