Lye definitions

Webster's 1828 Dictionary

LYE, n. [L. lix, whence lixivium; Ant.L. lixa, whence Lugdunum, Leyden, Lyons, that is Water-town.]
Water impregnated with alkaline salt imbibed from the ashes of wood.
LYE, n. A falsehod. [See Lie.]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

n
1: a strong solution of sodium or potassium hydroxide

Merriam Webster's

noun Etymology: Middle English, from Old English l?ag; akin to Old High German louga lye, Latin lavare, lavere to wash, Greek louein Date: before 12th century 1. a strong alkaline liquor rich in potassium carbonate leached from wood ashes and used especially in making soap and for washing; broadly a strong alkaline solution (as of sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide) 2. a solid caustic (as sodium hydroxide)

Oxford Reference Dictionary

n. 1 water that has been made alkaline by lixiviation of vegetable ashes. 2 any strong alkaline solution, esp. of potassium hydroxide used for washing or cleansing. Etymology: OE leag f. Gmc: cf. LATHER

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Lye Lye, n. A falsehood. [Obs.] See Lie.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Lye Lye, n. [Written also lie and ley.] [AS. le['a]h; akin to D. loog, OHG. louga, G. lauge; cf. Icel. laug a bath, a hot spring.] A strong caustic alkaline solution of potassium salts, obtained by leaching wood ashes. It is much used in making soap, etc.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Lye Lye, n. (Railroad) A short side line, connected with the main line; a turn-out; a siding. [Eng.]

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

li.

See NITRE.

Soule's Dictionary of English Synonyms

n. Lixivium.

1811 Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue

Chamber lye; urine.