lye
[ lahy ]
/ laɪ /
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noun Chemistry.
a highly concentrated, aqueous solution of potassium hydroxide or sodium hydroxide.
any solution resulting from leaching, percolation, or the like.
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Origin of lye
before 900; Middle English lie, ley,Old English lēag; cognate with Dutch loog,German Lauge lye, Old Norse laug warm bath. See lave1
WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH lye
lie, lyeWords nearby lye
lyddite, Lydgate, Lydia, Lydian, Lydian mode, lye, lyefish, lye hominy, Lyell, Lyell, Charles, Lyell's disease
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for lye
British Dictionary definitions for lye
lye
/ (laɪ) /
noun
any solution obtained by leaching, such as the caustic solution obtained by leaching wood ash
a concentrated solution of sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide
Word Origin for lye
Old English lēag; related to Middle Dutch lōghe, Old Norse laug bath, Latin lavāre to wash
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Scientific definitions for lye
lye
[ lī ]
A strong alkaline solution or solid of potassium hydroxide or sodium hydroxide, made by allowing water to wash through wood ashes. It is used to make soap and drain and oven cleaners. Chemical formula: KOH or NaOH.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
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