lees

American  

[leez] / liz /

plural noun

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

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lees British  

/ liːz /

plural noun

1. the sediment from an alcoholic drink

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Etymology

Origin of lees

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

Example Sentences

Muscadet mirrors the marina freshness of oysters while adding the light richness of lees contact making a harmonious pairing.

From Salon

Panettone baking competitions have sprung up in Singapore and Japan, where one version is leavened with sake lees.

From New York Times

The cava brut designation means it was aged a minimum of nine months on the lees.

From Washington Post

This delicious example tastes as though age on the lees and in bottle has given it a fuller mouthfeel and richer texture.

From Washington Post

In Austria, three tiers of quality — Klassik, Reserve, and Große Reserve — regulate region of origin, alcohol level, winemaking methods, and lees aging with increasing strictness.

From Salon