lye Hear it!

lye Definition

lye ()

noun

  1. Obsolete a strong, alkaline solution obtained by leaching wood ashes
  2. any strongly alkaline substance, usually sodium or potassium hydroxide, used in cleaning, making soap, etc.
  3. 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

  1. Lydian
  2. Lydia
  3. Lydgate
  4. lyddite
  5. Lydda
  6. Lycurgus
  7. Lycra
  8. lycopodium
  9. lycopod
  10. lycopene
  1. Lyell
  2. lygus bug
  3. lying
  4. lying down
  5. lying-in
  6. lying in wait
  7. Lyle
  8. Lyly
  9. Lyme disease
  10. lymph