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, lye

Words nearby lye

lyddite, Lydgate, Lydia, Lydian, Lydian mode, lye, lyefish, lye hominy, Lyell, Lyell, Charles, lygaeid

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use lye in a sentence

That means it’s important to be careful when you’re cooking and working around the house, especially while using strong acids, lye, paint thinner, and gasoline.
5 common household injuries, and how to avoid them|Jean Feingold|October 22, 2021|Popular-Science
Another discusses being bathed by her grandmother as a child with lye soap in an effort to lighten her complexion.
Beyonce and the Myth of Black Beauty|Allison Samuels|March 2, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Tyrwhitt confuses the matter by quoting Lye, who mixed up this word with tombestere, a female tumbler; for which see Cant.
Chaucer's Works, Volume 1 (of 7) -- Romaunt of the Rose; Minor Poems|Geoffrey Chaucer
Why let our executionsThat lye vpon the father, bee returndVpon the sonne, and we release the body.
The Fatal Dowry|Philip Massinger

Lye still my toung and bushes, cald my cheekes,That offter thankes in words, for such great deeds.
The Fatal Dowry|Philip Massinger
Singee a songee sick a pence,Pockee muchee lye; Dozen two time blackee birdCookee in e pie.
The Book of Humorous Verse|Various
Will you let me lye by her but one hour more, And then hang me?Din.
The Little French Lawyer|Francis Beaumont

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 Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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.