lie

16 entries found for lie. The first 10 are listed below.
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lie[1,intransitive verb] lie[2,noun] lie[3,verb] lie[4,noun] Lie Lie[1] big lie give[1,verb] lie by lie detector

Main Entry: ¹lie
Pronunciation: 'lI
Function: intransitive verb
Inflected Form(s): lay /'lA/; lain /'lAn/; ly·ing /'lI-i[ng]/
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English licgan; akin to Old High German ligen to lie, Latin lectus bed, Greek lechos
1 a : to be or to stay at rest in a horizontal position : be prostrate : REST, RECLINE <lie motionless> <lie asleep> b : to assume a horizontal position -- often used with down c archaic : to reside temporarily : stay for the night : LODGE d : to have sexual intercourse -- used with with e : to remain inactive (as in concealment) <lie in wait>
2 : to be in a helpless or defenseless state <the town lay at the mercy of the invaders>
3 of an inanimate thing : to be or remain in a flat or horizontal position upon a broad support <books lying on the table>
4 : to have direction : EXTEND <the route lay to the west>
5 a : to occupy a certain relative place or position <hills lie behind us> b : to have a place in relation to something else <the real reason lies deeper> c : to have an effect through mere presence, weight, or relative position <remorse lay heavily on him> d : to be sustainable or admissible
6 : to remain at anchor or becalmed
7 a : to have place : EXIST <the choice lay between fighting or surrendering> b : CONSIST, BELONG <the success of the book lies in its direct style> <responsibility lay with the adults>
8 : REMAIN; especially : to remain unused, unsought, or uncared for
usage see LAY
- li·er /'lI(-&)r/ noun
- lie low
1 : to lie prostrate, defeated, or disgraced
2 : to stay in hiding : strive to avoid notice
3 : to bide one's time : remain secretly ready for action