lees

[ leez ]

plural noun

1. the insoluble matter that settles from a liquid, especially from wine; sediment; dreg.

lees

/ liːz /

plural noun

1. the sediment from an alcoholic drink

Word History and Origins

Origin of lees¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English lie, from Middle French, from Medieval Latin lia, probably from unattested Gaulish lig(j)a; compare Old Irish lige “bed,” akin to Old English gelege “bed”; lie ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of lees¹

C14: plural of obsolete lee, from Old French, probably from Celtic; compare Irish lige bed