lai

[ley]

noun

1. (in medieval French literature)

2. a narrative poem written in octosyllabic couplets and dealing with tales of adventure and romance.

3. a lyric poem, often a love poem, having great metrical variety and designed to be sung to a popular melody.

Word History and Origins

Origin of lai¹

1200–50; Middle English < Old French. See lay ⁴

Example Sentences

Taiwan President Lai Ching-te signaled last week that “concrete results” on trade talks could be delivered soon.

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Mr. Lai is the imprisoned newspaper owner who has spent nearly five years in Hong Kong jails—most of it in solitary confinement—as he’s being tried for collusion with foreign forces.

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The senators put it this way: “We have deep respect for your outspoken advocacy for Mr. Lai. You understand the urgency of his plight: a devout Catholic, a beloved husband, father, and grandfather; and an ardent campaigner for freedom. Now, after almost five years in solitary confinement, Mr. Lai’s trial under Hong Kong’s National Security Law is coming to an end, but time is not on his side—he must be released immediately.”

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British Prime Minister Keir Starmer says the British have raised the issue—Mr. Lai is a British citizen.

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And it gets worse for Beijing if Mr. Lai dies in prison.

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