lye
lye
Definition
lye (lī)
noun
- Obsolete a strong, alkaline solution obtained by leaching wood ashes
- any strongly alkaline substance, usually sodium or potassium hydroxide, used in cleaning, making soap, etc.
- any substance obtained by leaching
Etymology: ME lie < OE leag, akin to Ger lauge < IE base *lou-, to lave
lye
Usage Examples
Converse of object
- bury: There is an antient monument of the archbishop the founder, who lyes buried in the church of his own building.
- call: By leaching water through the wood ash a substance called lye was obtained, which was strongly alkaline.
- make: Ashes from the fire were used to make lye, the period equivalent of Persil, a homemade washing liquid to do the laundry.
Noun used with modifier
- lad: Follow the horses, Johnny my laddie, Oh lad lye away, me canny lad oh!
Adjective modifier
- ranking: At Boomerang Group we offer quality search engine ranking lye as well as search engine ranking lye, and search engine ranking dudley.
Modifies a noun
- thou: Thou lyest abhorred Tyrant, with my Sword Ile proue the lye thou speak'st.
- heere: This is the prison: What is he lyes heere?
Preposition: in
- bed: I would lye in bed and feel the entire bed shake as if it were pushed.
Browse dictionary entries near lye
- Lyell
- lygus bug
- lying
- lying down
- lying-in
- lying in wait
- Lyle
- Lyly
- Lyme disease
- lymph
