Lie v.1. World English Historical Dictionary

Lie v.1. World English Historical Dictionary Dictionary Biographies Literary Criticism Welcome Terms of Service ⧏ Previous Next ⧐ Contents Slice Contents Key Bibliographic Record Murray’s New English Dictionary. 1903, rev. 2024. Lie v.1 Forms and inflexions: see below. [A Com. Teut. str. vb.: OE. licgan = OFris. liga, lidsa, lidzia, OS. liggian (Du., LG. liggen), OHG. and MHG. liggen, licken, ligen (mod.G. liegen), ON. liggia (Sw. ligga, Da. ligge), Goth. ligan:—OTeut. *ligjan (the Goth. ligan is abnormal), f. Teut. root *leg- (: lag- : lǣg-):—West Aryan *legh- (: logh- : lēgh-) to lie; cf. Gr. λέχος bed, ἄλοχος bedfellow, wife, λόχος lying in wait, ambush, L. lectus bed, OSl. ležati to lie.

1   As in OTeut. *sitjan SIT v., the present-stem has a j suffix, though the pa. t. and pa. pple. are strong. In WGer. and consequently in OE., the pres.-stem has two forms, due to the diversity in the phonetic character of the flexional suffixes: (1) The WGer. lig-, OE. liʓ-, appears in the 2nd and 3rd pers. sing. pres. ind. and the sing. imp., and is the source of the mod.Eng. lie; (2) the WGer. ligg-, OE. licʓ-, appears in the inf., the 1st pers. sing. and the pl. pres. ind., the pres. subj., and the pl. imp.; it is represented in mod. northern dialects by lig; the southern lidge has been found only in the Wexford dialect, though the ME. ligge in southern texts can only represent the pronunciation (lidʓə).]

2   A.  Inflexional Forms.

3   1.  Infinitive lie. Forms: α. 1 licgan, licgean, Northumb. licga, 2 liggan, 2–5 ligge-n, 3 ligen, luggen (ü), 4–5 lyge, lygge, 4–6 (7–9 dial.) lig, ligg, 5 ligyn, lyggyn, lyg, lyegge. β. 2 lien, 3 liʓen, 3 lin, 4 lii, lij, li, lyen, (? erron. ley-n, leȝe, lai), 4–5 lyn(e, lyȝe, 4–8 ly, 4–9 lye, 5 liyn, lyyn, lyin, 4– lie.

4   α.  Beowulf, 3082 (Gr.). Lete hyne licgean, þær he longe wæs.

5 c. 1160.  Hatton Gosp., John v. 6. Þa se hælend ʓe-seah þisne liggan.

6 c. 1175.  Lamb. Hom., 79. Ho … letten hine liggen half quic.

7 c. 1205.  Lay., 22836. Þer he scal liggen [c. 1275 luggen].

8 a. 1275.  Prov. Ælfred, 467, in O. E. Misc., 131. He sal ligen long anicht.

9 a. 1275.  Death, 118 Ibid., 174. Nu þu schalt wrecche liggen ful stille.

10 1297.  R. Glouc. (Rolls), 3169. He bad him ligge and slepe wel.

11 a. 1300.  Cursor M., 5309. I will me lig to dei.

12 a. 1340.  Hampole, Psalter v. 4. I sall noght lige in fleschy lustis.

13 c. 1400.  Maundev. (Roxb.), xxv. 118. Whare þe emperour schall ligg on þe morue.

14 1425.  Ord. Whittington’s Alms-house, in Entick, London (1766), IV. 354. A … little house … in which he shall lyegge and rest.

15 c. 1440.  [see β].

16 1483.  Cath. Angl., 216/1. To Lyg in wayte.

17 1579.  Spenser, Sheph. Cal., Sept., 254. There mayst thou ligge in a vetchy bed.

18 1651.  Randolph, etc. Hey for Honesty, III. i. Wks. (1875), 431. Liggen in strommel.

19 a. 1652.  Brome, Eng. Moor, I. iii. Wks. (1873), II. 13. Make thy bed fine and soft I’le lig with thee.

20 1674.  Ray, N. C. Words, 30. To Lig: to lye, Var. Dial.

21   β.  1154.  O. E. Chron., an. 1137 (Laud MS.). He ne myhte … ne sitten ne lien ne slepen.

22 c. 1200.  Ormin, 6020. & nile he nohht tærinne lin.

23 a. 1300.  Cursor M., 3778 (Cott.). He … þar-on laid his hefd to li [Fairf. ly].

24 c. 1375.  Sc. Leg. Saints, vii. (Jacobus minor), 482. & þare wele foure dais can þai ley but met & drink.

25 1382.  Wyclif, Isa. xi. 6. The parde with the kide shal leyn.

26 c. 1400.  Lanfranc’s Cirurg., 68. I lete it lie still.

27 1426.  Lydg., De Guil. Pilgr., 13554. Lat hym lyn a whyle stylle.

28 c. 1440.  Promp. Parv., 304/2. Lyyn or lyggyn (K. lyin or ligyn), jaceo.

29 1480.  Caxton, Chron. Eng., ccxlii. 277. They … charged hym to lye still.

30 1849.  Macaulay, Hist. Eng., ix. II. 446. He might lie many years in a prison.

31   2.  Indicative Present.

32   a.  1st pers. sing. lie. Forms: α. 1 licge, 3–4 ligge, 4–6 (7–9 dial.) lig, 5 lige. β. 4 liy, 4–9 lye, 6 ly, 4– lie.

33 a. 1240.  Lofsong, in Cott. Hom., 211. Ase ich ligge lowe.

34 c. 1275.  Lay., 14137. Ihc ligge faste bi-clused in on castle.

35 a. 1300–1400.  Cursor M., 3612 (Gött.). Here … i liy [other texts lig, lye] in bed of care.

36 1377.  Langl., P. Pl., B. V. 417. I … ligge abedde in lenten.

37 1432.  Test. Ebor., II. 22, j matres yt I lige on.

38 1530.  Palsgr., 610/1. I lye a bedde.

39 c. 1586.  C’tess Pembroke, Ps. LVII. i. On thee I ly.

40 1688.  Levinz, in Keble, Life Bp. Wilson, iii. (1863), 99. When I lye under the confinement of my melancholy retreat.

41 1719.  D’Urfey, Pills (1872), II. 148. Thinking that I lig so nigh.

42 1801.  R. Anderson, Cumb. Ball., 17. At neet I lig me down.

43 1802.  Coleridge, Ode to Rain, 5. O Rain! that I lie listening to.

44   b.  2nd pers. sing. liest. Forms: α. 1 liʓest, liʓst, líst, 3–5 list, lyst, 4–9 lyest, 6–7 ly’st, 4– liest. Also north. 4 lyis, 5 lise, lyes. β. 5 lyggest, lyggyst.

45 a. 1000.  Cædmon’s Gen., 734 (Gr.). Þær þu ʓebunden liʓst.

46 c. 1000.  Ælfric, Josh. vii. 10. Aris nu … hwi list ðu neowel on eorþan.

47 c. 1200.  Trin. Coll. Hom., 103. Wi list þu turnd on þe eorðe?

48 a. 1275.  Death, 84, in O. E. Misc., 172. Nu þu list [v.r. lyst] on bere.

49 c. 1386.  Chaucer, Manciple’s T., 172. Now listow deed [v.rr. lyst thow, liest thou, lyes thou].

50 c. 1450.  Cov. Myst. (Shaks. Soc.), 159. Heyl, Lord over lordys, that lyggyst ful lowe.

51 1470–85.  Malory, Arthur, XXI. ii. Here now thow lyggest.

52 1596.  Shaks., Tam. Shr., V. ii. 151. Whil’st thou ly’st warme at home.

53 1671.  Milton, Samson, 1663. Thou … now ly’st victorious Among thy slain.

54 1877.  C. Patmore, Unknown Eros, I. ix. (Eurydice), Where … On pallet poor Thou lyest, stricken sick.

55   c.  3rd pers. sing. lies. Forms: α. 1 liʓeþ, liʓþ, líþ, 2–5 liþ, 3 liʓið, 3–6 lyth, 4 lyþe, leiþ, lyhth, liȝth, lyȝt, liht, 4–5 lijth, lithe, 4–6 lythe, 4–7 lyeth, 5–6 lyith, 3– (now arch.) lieth. Also (with ending orig. north.) 1 liʓes, 4 lyse, lijs, 4–5 lis(e, 4–6 liis, 4–8 lyes, 5–6 lyis, lyese, 6 Sc. lysz, lisz, lyisz, 4– lies. β. 2–6 liggeþ, -eth, 4–5 liggith. Also 4 liggus, 4–5 ligus, -es, lygges, -ys, -ez, 5 ligis, 6 (7–9 dial.) lig(g)s.

56   α.  a. 900.  O. E. Chron., an. 893 (Parker MS.). Seo ea … lið ut of þæm wealda.

57 c. 950.  Lindisf. Gosp., Matt. viii. 6. Cnaeht min liʓes in hus eorð-cryppel.

58 a. 1100.  O. E. Chron., an. 675 (Laud MS.). Medeshamstede … & eal ꝥ þær to liggeð. Ibid., an. 792. His lic liʓð æt Tinan muþe.

59 c. 1220.  Bestiary, 24. Ðanne he lieð to slepen.

60 c. 1250.  Gen. & Ex., 889. In ðe weie ðe liȝið to salem.

61 a. 1300.  Cursor M., 2117. Þis land lies mast vnto þe south.

62 1362.  Langl., P. Pl., A. I. 115. Lucifer louwest liȝth of hem alle.

63 c. 1369.  Chaucer, Dethe Blaunche, 181. A-wake … who lyeth there [v.rr. lythe, liþe].

64 1382.  Wyclif, Matt. viii. 6. My child lyeth [v.r. liggeth, 1388 lijth] … sike.

65 c. 1400.  Destr. Troy, 5369. Teutra … here in tombe lis.

66 c. 1425.  Hampole’s Psalter, Metr. Pref. 26. This same sauter … is þe self … That lyȝt at hampole.

67 c. 1475.  Rauf Coilȝear, 246. I have na knawledge quhair the Court lyis.

68 1533.  Gau, Richt Vay, 84. To say … that thair lisz mair pardone to ony oder prayer.

69 c. 1560.  A. Scott, Poems (S. T. S.), iv. 76. Sum can nocht keip hir gap Fra lansing, as scho lyiss.

70 1579.  Lyly, Euphues (Arb.), 86. As much as in me lyeth.

71 1611.  Bible, Neh. ii. 3. When the city … lyeth waste.

72 1660.  Barrow, Euclid, I. xxvi. That side which lyeth betwixt the equal angles.

73 1666.  Milton, 2nd Epit. University Carrier, 1. Here lieth one who [etc.].

74 1675.  Earl of Essex, Lett. (1770), 88. That part of the town which … lyes to the water.

75 1711.  Hearne, Collect. (O. H. S.), III. 133. His skill indeed chiefly lyes in Coyns.

76   β.  a. 1300.  Cursor M., 2033. Þi fader slepand … Liggus [Gött. lis, Fairf. lyse, Trin. liþ] here-oute.

77 13[?].  E. E. Allit. P., B. 1792. A dogge … þat in a dych lygges.

78 a. 1400–50.  Alexander, 5173. A cabayne quare þe kyng liggis.

79 c. 1460.  Towneley Plays, ii. 220. Gif hym that that ligis thore.

80 1597.  Tofte, Laura, in Arb., Garner, VIII. 298. Ah, happy thrice, that ligs in love with thee!

81 1605.  Camden, Rem., Epitaphs, 59. Iohn Bell broken-brow Ligs vnder this stean.

82 a. 1774.  Fergusson, Hallowfair, Poems (1845), 15. When Phœbus ligs in Thetis’ lap.

83 1849.  G. P. R. James, Woodman, xxxix. I can find out for him where liggs the pretty lass.

84 1865.  S. Evans, Bro. Fabian, 52. Bold Robin he liggeth here.

85   d.  plural lie. Forms: α. 1 licgaþ, licgeaþ, 2–3 liggeð, 4 liggiþ, 2–4 (6 arch.) liggen, 5 liggyn, 4 ligge, 5 lygge. Also north. 4 ligges, 5 liggez, liggis. β. 2–4 lien, 2–3 lin, 4–6 lyen, 5 lyȝn, lyun, 4–9 ly(e, 4– lie. Also north. 4 lijs, Sc. 4–6 lyis, lyes.

86   α.  a. 1000.  Andreas, 1426 (Gr.). Licgað æfter lande loccas todrifene.

87 c. 1175.  Lamb. Hom., 49. We liggeð in heueð sunnen.

88 1297.  R. Glouc. (Rolls), 6355. Þere hii liggeþ.

89 a. 1300.  Cursor M., 25965. Al ur sin þat we … ligges in [Fairf. lien].

90 1362.  Langl., P. Pl., A. II. 105. Thei liggen to-gedere.

91 1387.  Trevisa, Higden (Rolls), I. 403. They … Stondeþ, sitteþ, liggeþ, and slepeþ. Ibid., II. 193. Þey ligge [Caxton lygge] vpriȝt.

92 a. 1400–50.  Alexander, 772*. Þar liggez lymmes of laddes. Ibid., 4845. Þai seȝe doun sodanly slane of þaire blonkis … & in þe strete liggis.

93 1486.  Bk. St. Albans, E vij b. The Forchers that liggyn euen between The ij theys of the beest.

94 1579.  Spenser, Sheph. Cal., May, 217. Many wyld beastes liggen in waite.

95   β.  a. 1100.  O. E. Chron., an. 963 (Laud MS.). Ealle þa þorpes þe ðærto lin. Ibid. (1154), an. 1137. Þe landes þe lien to þe circe wican.

96 c. 1230.  Hali Meid., 3. A1 þat bitter bale þat ter lieð under.

97 a. 1300.  Cursor M., 5340. Þar lijs [Fairf. lyes] our heldres.

98 c. 1350.  Will. Palerne, 2266. In caue þei lyen, & slepen samen y-fere.

99 c. 1374.  Chaucer, Compl. Mars, 5. Ye lovers that lye [v.r. ben] in eny drede.

100 c. 1375.  Sc. Leg. Saints, xiv. (Lucas), 80. & ger thame ryse þat lyis law.

101 c. 1400.  Maundev. (1839), xxiv. 255. Thei lyȝn in Tentes.

102 c. 1400.  Destr. Troy, 7066. Þe grekes, þat on oure ground lyun.

103 1448.  in Willis & Clark, Cambridge (1886), II. 8. All the bemes that lyen by hemself.

104 1513.  Bradshaw, St. Werburge, I. 284. Whiche Ladyes were buryed … and now there lyen in shryne.

105 1596.  Dalrymple, trans. Leslie’s Hist. Scot., I. 54. Sum monstruous gret amang thame lyis to the cost of Carrik. Ibid., 148. In tyme of neid lyes the Pechtis abak wt thair supporte.

106 c. 1614.  Sir W. Mure, Dido & Æneas, I. 101. Troy … Whose ruines poore, which low in ashes lye.

107 1711.  J. Greenwood, Eng. Gram., 197. Place and Things that ly upward.

108 1756–7.  trans. Keysler’s Trav. (1760), III. 104. Here lie the remains of Giacomo Sanseverini.

109 1808.  A. Parsons, Trav., i. 12. Pebbles, which have been dug up … and now lye in heaps.

110   3.  Indicative Past lay. Forms: α. (strong) 1st and 3rd pers. sing. 1 læʓ, læiʓ, 2 læi, 2–3 lei, 2–4 lai, leie, 3 læi(ȝ)e, leai, leiȝe, Ormin laȝȝ, 3–6 laie, 4 leȝ, leye, 4–5 leyȝe, leghe, 4–6 Sc. la, 4–7 ley, (5 lye, leȝe), 5–6 laye, 3– lay. 2nd pers. 1 lǽʓe, 3 læiȝe, 3–4 lay, lai, etc.; 7 laist, 9 lay’st. Plural. 1 lǽʓon, láʓon, Northumb. léʓon, 3–4 leien, laien, leiȝen, etc.; also 3– uninflected. β. (weak) 6–7 dial., 8–9 arch. ligged, 6 Sc. liggit, 9 lied, dial. lig’d.

111   α.  Beowulf, 1532 (Gr.). Hit on eorðan læʓ.

112 c. 950.  Lindisf. Gosp., Matt. ix. 36. Leʓon suæ scip næfdon hiorde.

113 11[?].  O. E. Chron., an. 1052 (Cotton MS.). Þætte on Sandwic læiʓ.

114 c. 1160.  Hatton Gosp., Mark ii. 4. Þæt bed þe se lame on laiȝ.

115 c. 1200.  Ormin, 3692. He laȝȝ … i cribbe.

116 c. 1205.  Lay., 5030. Þa wombe þe þu læie inne swa longe. Ibid., 9766. Vaspasien mid his monnen læiȝe [c. 1275 lay] at Exchæstre.

117 c. 1220.  Bestiary, 42. In a ston stille he lai til it kam ðe dridde dai.

118 a. 1275.  Passion Lord, 195, in O. E. Misc., 42. Þe Gywes vp asturte þat leyen in þe grunde.

119 1297.  R. Glouc. (Rolls), 3830. Boþe stede & king leye sone atte grounde.

120 a. 1300.  Cursor M., 10571. Þar efterson þai samen lai. Ibid., 23500. Quat þou did and in credel lai [other texts lay].

121 13[?].  Gaw. & Gr. Knt., 2006. Þe leude lystened ful wel, þat leȝ in his bedde.

122 13[?].  E. E. Allit. P., A. 214. Her fax … On schylderez þat leghe.

123 1387.  Trevisa, Higden (Rolls), V. 107. His body lay in þe streete … unburied.

124 c. 1400.  Destr. Troy, 8243. The ladies o lofte leghen to waite.

125 c. 1420.  Chron. Vilod., 4459 (Horstm.). He lye euer y-presonede stylle in þat castelle.

126 a. 1548.  Hall, Chron., Hen. VI., 173 b. His seignorie and power laie in those partes.

127 1560.  Daus, trans. Sleidane’s Comm., 57 b. His Purse … laye upon his bed.

128 1596.  Dalrymple, trans. Leslie’s Hist. Scot., IX. 86. To ly hidd as he la.

129 1671.  Milton, P. R., I. 247. The Manger where thou lais’t.

130 1749.  Fielding, Tom Jones, XVIII. vi. I lay Seven years in Winchester jail.

131 1847.  L. Hunt, Jar of Honey, x. (1848), 131. Sicily lay at our feet.

132   β.  1560.  Rolland, Crt. Venus, I. 56. Behind the Bus … I liggit law.

133 a. 1641.  Bp. Mountagu, Acts & Mon. (1642), 456. Their Cels and Commoratories where they ligged.

134 1748.  Thomson, Cast. Indol., 595. Here whilom ligg’d th’ Esopus of the age.

135 1813.  T. Busby, trans. Lucretius, I. Dissert. 14. Bright eminences and fertile vallies lied in his way. Ibid., VI. Comm. 25. Those who, by death or desertion, were deprived of their friends and domestics, lied unburied in their houses.

136 1879.  E. Arnold, Lt. Asia, III. 2. In which calm home of happy life and love Ligged our Lord Buddha.

137   4.  Subjunctive Present lie. Forms: 1 licge, 3–4 ligge, 4 lyg, ligg, 6 lig, 6–7 ly(e, 5– lie.

138 c. 1000.  Laws of Wihtræd, c. 25 (Schmid). Licge butan wyrʓelde.

139 a. 1225.  Ancr. R., 424. Nenne mon ne leten heo in … ne ne ligge ute.

140 c. 1340.  Richard Rolle of Hampole, Prick of Conscience, 3507. If any fal in dedly syn Ryse he up, and ligg noght lang þar-in.

141 c. 1374.  Chaucer, Troylus, V. 411. If þow þus ligge a day or two or þre.

142 c. 1375.  Lay Folks Mass Bk. (MS. B.), 593. Wheþer we ryde, or be goande, lyg, or sitt.

143 c. 1449.  Pecock, Repr., II. xx. 272. That he lie with the lord in oon bed.

144 1508.  Dunbar, Tua Mariit Wemen, 500. That he be lost or with me lig.

145 1596.  Dalrymple, trans. Leslie’s Hist. Scot., I. 31. How lang saevir the frost ly.

146 1596.  Shaks., Merch. V., II. vii. 61. If my forme lye there.

147   5.  Subjunctive Past lay. Forms: 1 lǽʓe, (pl. lǽʓen), 3 leie, læie, 3–4 leye, 4 laye, 5 leyȝe, 7 ley (etc., as in pa. ind.), 5– lay.

148 c. 893.  K. Ælfred, Oros., I. i. § 14. He sæde þat he … wolde fandian hu longe þæt land norþryhte læʓe.

149 c. 1175.  Lamb. Hom., 33. Þah þu leie in ane prisune.

150 c. 1205.  Lay., 22254. Þat his folc gode aswunden ne læie þere [c. 1275 leye].

151 c. 1374.  Chaucer, Troylus, IV. 1532 (1560). If þis were wist my lif lay [v.r. leye] in balaunce.

152 c. 1400.  Lanfranc’s Cirurg., 16. It were good þat he lay [Add. MS. leyȝe] & traueilide wiþ hise hondis.

153 1596.  Shaks., 1 Hen. IV., V. ii. 48. O, would the quarrell lay vpon our heads.

154 1684.  T. Burnet, Theory Earth, I. 195. If the ballast ley more at one end, it would dip towards that pole.

155   6.  Imperative lie. Forms: sing. 1 liʓ(e, 3 liȝ(e, 3–5 li, ly, 5–9 north. lig, ligg, 6–8 lye, 3– lie. plur. 4 liggeth; 4– lie.

156 c. 1000.  Sax. Leechd., II. 118. Liʓe on þa sidan þe [etc.].

157 c. 1205.  Lay., 18097. Passent liȝ [c. 1275 ly] nu þer. Ibid., 28724. Liȝe þer.

158 a. 1225.  Ancr. R., 29. Ne lie þu nout stille.

159 a. 1275.  Death, 137, in O. E. Misc., 176. Li [v.r. ly] awariede bali þat neauer þu ne arise.

160 c. 1374.  Chaucer, Troylus, II. 904 (953). Li stil and lat me slepe. Ibid., III. 899 (948). Liggeth stille and taketh hym right here.

161 c. 1460.  Towneley Myst., ii. 326. Lig down ther and take thi rest.

162 c. 1650.  Christopher White, iv. in Child, Ballads, II. 439. Come, sweet wench, and ligg thy loue on mee.

163 1680.  Otway, Orphan, I. iv. 276. Lye still! my Heart.

164   7.  Present Participle lying. Forms: 1 licgende, Northumb. lic(c)end, 2–3 liggend, 4 liynge, lyng, liging, ligand(e, -onde, liende, lyende, liggonde, -ande, lyggynde, 4–5 ligging, -yng(e, 5 liggeng, lieng, lyynge, leing, liend, 4–6 lyeng(e, liand(e, lyand(e, 5 lyond, lyggande, 5–6 lyggyng(e, -ing(e, lyinge, 6 liyng, 7 lyeing, 5– lying, 9 ligging dial.

165 c. 950.  Lindisf. Gosp., John v. 6. Ðionne miððy ʓesæh se hælend licgende [Rushw. licende].

166 c. 1200.  Trin. Coll. Hom., 183. Þus doð þe libbende frend to-ȝenes þe liggende.

167 a. 1300.  Cursor M., 6130 (Cott.). For was na hus in al þat land Þat þar ne was ded man ligand [other texts liggande, ligond].

168 c. 1315.  Shoreham, 122. Lyggynde ine hare forage.

169 c. 1325.  Song Mercy, 57, in E. E. P. (1862), 120. In harde prisoun lyng.

170 c. 1375.  Cursor M., 3384 (Fairf.). Þe landes lyand towarde þe est.

171 1382.  Wyclif, Matt. viii. 14. He say his wyues moder liggynge [v.r. lyende, 1388 liggynge].

172 c. 1400.  Destr. Troy, 12666. Þe buernes … Left hym þer lyond.

173 1436.  Rolls of Parlt., IV. 498/1. As Felons … in awayte lyggyng.

174 c. 1440.  Generydes, 3027. In the feld he left hym liggeng.

175 c. 1450.  Holland, Howlat, 227. Lyand in lichory, laith, vnloveable.

176 1470–85.  Malory, Arthur, XVIII. xx. The fayrest corps lyenge in a ryche bedde.

177 1496.  Naval Acc. Hen. VII. (1896), 175. The Soueraigne leing in the dokke.

178 1533.  Gau, Richt Vay, 64. Liand in his bed.

179 1553.  Brende, Q. Curtius, F viij. The fore front alwayes defended the rest of the work lying behinde.

180 1596.  Dalrymple, trans. Leslie’s Hist. Scot., I. 5. The vthir syd lyeng toward Spane. Ibid., 9. The mid parte lyeing betuene that and Cheuott hillis.

181 1849.  Macaulay, Hist. Eng., v. I. 597. A merchantman lying at the quay took fire.

182 1864.  Tennyson, Northern Farmer, I. i. Wheer ’asta beän saw long and meä liggin’ ’ere aloän?

183   8.  Past Participle lain. Forms: α. (strong) 1 (ʓe)leʓen, 3 i-læien, i-leien, i-leye, i-lei, 3–4 y-leye(n, lei(e)n, 4 y-leine, y-leie, y-lay, y-leighe, yleiȝe, y-lie, leye(n, leie, leiȝen, ligen, lygyn, lin(e, Sc. lyin, 4–5 leyn(e, liggen, 4–6 lyn, 4–7 layn(e, laine, lyne, 4–8 layen, lyen, lien (also 9 arch.), 5 y-ly, lye, ? loy(e)n, 6 lyene, 7 li’n, lay, 7– lain. β. (weak) 6 Sc. liggit, 7 lied, 9 dial. lig’d.

184   α.  c. 893.  K. Ælfred, Oros., V. xiii. § 3. Þa heo þæron ʓeleʓen wæs.

185 c. 1200.  Trin. Coll. Hom., 7. Longe we habben lein on ure fule synnes.

186 1297.  R. Glouc. (Rolls), 1711. He adde ileye sik.

187 a. 1300.  Cursor M., 10084. Vte o prisun strang þat þai had ligen [other texts liggen, leyn, leyne] in sua lang. Ibid., 11297. Efter þat sco suld ha lin [other texts lyne, lien, lyn] Fourti dais in hir gisin.

188 c. 1320.  Sir Beues, 2001 (MS. A.). In is prisoun … Ichaue leie þis seuen ȝare.

189 c. 1325.  Lai le Freine, 98. Tvay men han y-ly me by.

190 c. 1330.  Arth. & Merl., 4188 (Kölbing). Bi hir he wald haue yleiȝe.

191 a. 1340.  Hampole, Pr. Consc., 3162. Som … Þat … has … lang lygyn in þair syn.

192 1362.  Langl., P. Pl., A. V. 259. He haþ leiȝen [C. VII. 330 leye] bi latro, lucifers brother. Ibid., XI. 276. Þat hadde leyn [B. X. 419 yleine] with lucifer manye longe ȝeris.

193 c. 1380.  Wyclif, Wks. (1880), 286. Þei han so longe leyen in so gret cursinge.

194 c. 1440.  Capgrave, Life St. Kath., IV. 2090. It were as good thei had loyn in bedde.

195 a. 1450.  Le Morte Arth., 525. How þat he had woundyd bene, And seke he had lye fulle sore.

196 c. 1450.  Merlin, 86. How a man hadde lyen with her in semblaunce of the Duke.

197 1463.  Bury Wills (Camden), 23. Ye bedde that she hath loyen in.

198 c. 1560.  R. Morice, in Lett. Lit. Men (Camden), 25. I wolde yt hadd byn my fortune to have lyn in London.

199 a. 1586.  Sidney, Arcadia, II. (1590), 101 b. Those flames which had so long layn deade in me.

200 1611.  Bible, John xx. 12. Where the body of Iesus had layen.

201 1624.  Heywood, Gunaik., II. 67. Oft in one shade the hare and hound hath lyne.

202 1650.  Baxter, Saints’ R., III. vi. § 24 (1651), 125. What if you had lien in Hell but one year?

203 1675.  Earl of Essex, Lett. (1770), 207. An order of Council which had several months lay by me.

204 1676.  Hobbes, Iliad (1677), 380. I … rolling on the soiled grass have li’n Perpetually, and … wept.

205 1681.  T. Flatman, Heraclitus Ridens, No. 25 (1713), I. 161. If my Life had lain never so much at stake.

206 1703.  T. N., City & C. Purchaser, 43. Bricks … had layen in the Place to dry.

207 1722.  De Foe, Plague (1756), 227. We … found it had lyen much longer conceal’d.

208 1788.  Beattie, Burns’ Wks., II. 141. Lang had she lien wi’ buffe and flegs.

209 1871.  G. Macdonald, Bk. Sonnets, in Wks. Fancy & Imag., II. 176. At thy holy feet I should have lien.

210 1871.  Smiles, Charac., iii. (1876), 69. I have lain awake all night.

211   β.  1500–20.  Dunbar, Poems, lv. 28. I saw cowclinkis Had better liggit in the stockis.

212 1670.  Barrow, in Rigaud, Corr. Sci. Men (1841), II. 75. It hath lied by me without looking on for many years.

213 1832.  Specim. Yorksh. Dial., 11. Had she lig’d theer lang?

214   B.  Signification and uses.

215   I.  In senses expressive of bodily posture, and developments of these.

216   1.  intr. Of persons or animals: To be in a prostrate or recumbent position. Formerly also with refl. pronoun.

217 c. 1000.  Ælfric, Hom., I. 246. Se witeʓa læʓ and slep. Ibid., 328. Þa læʓ sum wædla æt his ʓeate, and his nama wæs Lazarus.

218 c. 1175.  Lamb. Hom., 81. Þes oðer Mon … luueð his sunnen alse deð þet fette swin þet fule fen to liggen in.

219 a. 1300.  Cursor M., 690. Bi þe dere þat now es wild, Als lambe him lai þe leon mild.

220 c. 1300.  Havelok, 475. Þe children … Leyen and sprauleden in þe blod.

221 c. 1330.  R. Brunne, Chron. (1810), 55. ‘A ha!’ said þe erle, ‘had þat schank ne bien, þou had liggen þer stille, þe risen suld non haf sene.’

222 1362.  Langl., P. Pl., A. Prol. 9. As I lay and leonede and lokede on þe watres.

223 1382.  Wyclif, Gen. xxix. 2. He sawȝ a pit in the feeld and thre flockis of sheep liggynge bisidis it.

224 c. 1440.  Gesta Rom., ii. 6 (Harl. MS.). To ligge ny þe fire.

225 1551.  Robinson, trans. More’s Utop., II. (1895), 295. When they haue lien a little space on the grounde, the priest giueth them a signe for to ryse.

226 1607.  Dekker, Knt.’s Conjur. (1842), p. vi. They that haue once or twice lyen vpon the rack of publicke censure.

227 1809.  Med. Jrnl., XXI. 385. The woman having lain during the labour upon her left side.

228 1850.  Tennyson, In Mem., lxxxix. 23. To hear him, as he lay and read The Tuscan poets on the lawn.

229   b.  with predicative complement expressing condition; e.g., to lie asleep, sick, dead, blind, in a fever. † Also with inf. (e.g., to lie to die).

230 c. 1000.  Ags. Gosp., Matt. viii. 6. Min cnapa lið on minum huse lama.

231 1154.  O. E. Chron., an. 1135 (Laud MS.). He lai an slep in scip.

232 c. 1175.  Lamb. Hom., 81. And efre lei þes wreche for-wunden.

233 a. 1225.  Leg. Kath., 2286. Nalde nawt godd leoten his martirs licomes liggen to forleosen.

234 a. 1340.  Hampole, Psalter Cant., 496. A man þat liggys in a strayte fifere.

235 a. 1425.  Cursor M., 14172 (Trin.). He liþ to deȝe þat lele & trewe.

236 c. 1440.  Gesta Rom., lxi. 253 (Harl. MS.). The suster of the Emperoure, þat now lithe in childebed.

237 1470–85.  Malory, Arthur, XVII. xviii. 715. And anon the kynge sawe hym the whiche had leyne blynd of long tyme.

238 1526.  Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W., 1531), 72 b. And so sayd saynt Laurence whan he laye rostynge on the yren crate.

239 1530.  Palsgr., 610/1. I lye at the poynte of dethe.

240 1560.  Daus, trans. Sleidane’s Comm., 24 b. For the duke of Saxonie lay sicke at Collen.

241 1564.  Grindal, Funeral Serm. Ferdinand, A iv b. Aeschilus the Poete lieng on slepe bare headed nere the sea.

242 1669.  Pepys, Lett., 2 Nov., in Diary (1879), VI. 112. My wife … hath layn under a fever so severe, as [etc.].

243 1711.  Swift, Jrnl. to Stella, 3 Aug. Ophy Butler’s wife there lies very ill of an ague.

244 1870.  E. Peacock, Ralf Skirl., III. 81. For hours she lay awake.

245 1887.  E. Berdoe, St. Bernard’s, 68. The gradually beworsening room where she lay a cripple for so many years.

246   † c.  Used simply = to ‘lie sick,’ keep one’s bed.

247 c. 1300.  Cursor M., 8942. War his sekenes neuer sa strang, Ne had he lin neuer sua lang.

248 1470–85.  Malory, Arthur, II. xiii. 91. They … told hym how her lady was seke & had layne many yeres.

249 1596.  Dalrymple, trans. Leslie’s Hist. Scot., X. 408. Quhen bot schort he had lyne the x of July he departed this lyfe.

250   d.  Expressing the posture of a dead body: To be extended on a bier or the like; to be buried (in a specified place). To lie in state: see STATE. † In OE. and early ME. also, To be dead.

251 Beowulf, 2745 (Gr.). Nu se wyrm liʓeð.

252 a. 1000.  O. E. Chron., an. 901 (Parker MS.). Æðelwald … sæde þæt he wolde oðer oððe þær libban oððe þær licgan.

253 c. 1175.  Lamb. Hom., 35. Ga to þine feder burinesse oðer þer eni of þine cunne lið in.

254 c. 1205.  Lay., 5869. We eow wulleð bi-foren libben oðer liggen.

255 c. 1250.  Gen. & Ex., 3892. Ðor he [Aaron] lið doluen on ðat wold.

256 a. 1300.  Cursor M., 5340. Þar lijs our heldres, þar sal i li.

257 c. 1470.  Harding, Chron. CLXXIX. ii. Thyrty thousande with theim liggand ly.

258 1501.  Bury Wills (Camden), 83. The holy place where the blyssyd and holy Apostyll Seynt Jamys lyth.

259 1695.  Sibbald, Autobiog. (1834), 126. He was buried at Edinburgh in the Gray Frier churchyard, where our other relations lye.

260 1711.  Addison, Spect., No. 164, ¶ 12. Here lie the Bodies of Father Francis and Sister Constance.

261 1798.  Wordsw., We are Seven, 21. Two of us in the churchyard lie, My sister and my brother.

262   e.  To be in one’s bed for the purpose of sleeping or resting. Also (now rarely) with qualifying word or phrase, e.g., to lie soft(ly.

263 c. 1290.  S. Eng. Leg., I. 102/37. Þare heo leien In heore beden.

264 1362.  Langl., P. Pl., A. VII. 14. The Neodi and the Nakede nym ȝeeme hou thei liggen.

265 c. 1375.  Sc. Leg. Saints, xvi. (Magdalene), 312. Þu in chuchis & silkine clathis lyis ful softe.

266 c. 1386.  Chaucer, Sir Thopas, 200. He nolde slepen in noon hous But liggen in his hoode.

267 c. 1440.  Gesta Rom., lxiii. 274 (Harl. MS.). Certenly he desirith wele to ete, swetly to drinke, softely to ligge.

268 1579.  Spenser, Sheph. Cal., May, 125. Tho gan shepheards swaines to looke aloft, And leave to live hard, and learne to ligge soft.

269 1651.  Hobbes, Leviath. (1839), 8. Hence it is that lying cold breedeth dreams of fear.

270 1710.  Mrs. Centlivre, Man’s Bewitched, V. 68. Leave the London Dames … To lig in their Beds till Noon.

271 1742.  Chesterf., Lett. (1792), I. xc. 250. The people are extremely rude and barbarous, living chiefly upon raw flesh, and lying generally upon the ground, or at best in tents.

272 1850.  Thackeray, Pendennis, ix. You must lie on the bed which you have made for yourself.

273   f.  Hence to lie with (or † by): to have sexual intercourse with. Somewhat arch.

274 a. 1300.  Cursor M., 27943. Incest, þat es for to lij Bi þat þi sibman has line bi.

275 c. 1330.  Arth. & Merl., 852 (Kölbing). Þis maiden … feled al so bi her þi, þat sche was yleyen bi.

276 c. 1400.  Maundev. (1839), xxvii. 276. He wille not lyȝe with his Wyfes but 4 sithes in the Ȝeer.

277 1470–85.  Malory, Arthur, V. xii. That none of his lyege men shold defoule ne lygge by no lady.

278 1504.  Plumpton Corr. (Camden), p. lxiv. That they shuld not ligg togedder till she came to the age of xvi yeres.

279 1533.  Gau, Richt Vay, 16. Thay that lysz wit thair kine and bluid.

280 1611.  Bible, Jer. iii. 2. Lift vp thine eyes vnto the high places, and see where thou hast not bene lien with.

281 a. 1652.  Brome, Mad Couple, I. i. Wks. 1873, I. 16. You have unlawfully lyen with some woman.

282 1711.  Steele, Spect., No. 51, ¶ 7. Tho’ he betrays the Honour and Bed of his Neighbour and Friend, and lies with half the Women in the Play.

283 1750.  G. Jeffreys, in Duncombe’s Letters (1773), II. 250. He was only beforehand with his double-dealing brother in lying with a prostitute.

284   2.  To assume a recumbent or prostrate position. Chiefly in lie down, lie back, etc., for which see branch IV. † Also with refl. pronoun. † Also, to lean or hang over (a wall).

285 a. 1300.  Cursor M., 20487. To hir bedd son scho ȝod & lay Abutte þe time al of midday.

286 c. 1320.  Sir Tristr., 70. Þat maidens miȝt him se And ouer þe walles to lye.

287 c. 1435.  Torr. Portugal, 1166. Ladyes lay over and beheld.

288 c. 1440.  Gesta Rom., xix. 67 (Harl. MS.). And þerfore let vs make him, þat settith such a dyet in vs, to rise with vs, and lig with vs.

289 1484.  Caxton, Fables of Alfonce, v. We shalle go and lye vs for to slepe.

290 1530.  Palsgr., 610/1. I lye me to slepe, je me mets a dormir.

291 a. 1828.  Leesome Brand, xxxiii. in Child, Ballads, I. 183. His mother lay ower her castle wa, And she beheld baith dale and down.

292 1832.  Tennyson, Miller’s Dau., 111. From off the wold I came, and lay Upon the freshly-flower’d slope.

293   3.  To be or remain in a specified position of subjection, helplessness, misery, degradation or captivity; to be kept in prison; to continue in sin, etc. † Also simply = ‘to lie in prison’; sometimes idiomatically to lie by it. To lie by the heels (arch.): see HEEL sb.1 18. To lie open (to): see OPEN.

294 c. 893.  K. Ælfred, Oros., V. i. On carcernum læʓon.

295 c. 1200.  Vices & Virtues (1888), 37. Ȝif he … lið on sume heaued-senne.

296 c. 1300.  Havelok, 1374. He haueth me do … ofte in sorwe and pine ligge.

297 c. 1350.  Will. Palerne, 4307. Alle oþer of þe lorbes of þat lond þat þere leie in hold.

298 c. 1380.  Wyclif, Serm. (Sel. Wks.), I. 39. A long custom to ligge in synne.

299 1470–85.  Malory, Arthur, IV. vii. We ben here xx knyghtes prysoners … & some of vs haue layne here seuen yere.

300 1483.  Caxton, Gold. Leg., 239 b/1. And yet he entended to be his pledge and to lye for him, his charite was so grete.

301 1530.  Palsgr., 610/1. I lye bounde in chaynes.

302 1567.  Gude & Godlie Ball. (S.T.S.), 133. Sa lang in Sin as thow dois ly.

303 1586.  Earl Leicester, Corr. (Camden), 277. The auditour also … is worthy to lye by the heeles.

304 1618.  E. Elton, Rom., vii. (1622), 90. Any particular sinne wherein thou hast liued and lyen.

305 1631.  Massinger, Emperor East, III. i. To free all such as lie for debt.

306 1644.  Quarles, Barnabas & B., 16. I must be paid, or he lie by it, until I have my utmost farthing or his bones.

307 a. 1670.  Hacket, Abp. Williams, II. (1692), 138. Lincoln was like to lye by it, and to be shut out of mercy by an irreversible decree.

308 1692.  R. L’Estrange, Fables, Life Æsop (1708), 7. From Lying at the Mercy of Fire, Water, and a Wicked Woman, Good Lord deliver us.

309 1849.  Macaulay, Hist. Eng., iv. I. 482. The defendant … was lying in prison as a debtor.

310 1882.  Stevenson, Fam. Stud. 265. His brother still lay by the heels for an unpatriotic treaty with England.

311   b.  To lie under: to be subject to (some disadvantage or obligation).

312 1599.  Shaks., Much Ado, IV. i. 171. If this sweet Ladie lye not guiltlesse heere, Vnder some biting error.

313 1682.  Count Königsmark, in Buccleuch MSS. (Hist. MSS. Comm.), I. 336. The misfortune which I lay under.

314 1701.  W. Wotton, Hist. Rome, vi. 105. He lay under a sort of a Vow.

315 1710.  Addison, Whig Exam., No. 4, ¶ 9. Any one who reads this letter will lye under the same delusion.

316 1748.  Anson’s Voy., II. x. 236. Manila … lies under some disadvantage, from the difficulty there is in getting to sea to the eastward.

317 1849.  Macaulay, Hist. Eng., vii. II. 202. In spite of all the restraints under which the press lay.

318 1866.  Dk. Argyll, Reign Law, vii. (1871), 331. The bondage under which all Science lies to fact.

319   4.  To remain in a state of inactivity or concealment (not necessarily prone or reclining). Chiefly with complementary adj. or pa. pple. (For to lie close, low, perdu, etc., see those adjs.)

320   Cf. sense 8, where the subj. is a thing.

321 c. 1374.  Chaucer, Boeth., II. Metr. vii. 47 (Camb. MS.). Liggeth thanne stille al owtrely vnknowable.

322 1538.  Starkey, England, II. i. 174. By the reson wherof our owne marynerys oft-tymys lye idul.

323 1604.  E. G[rimstone], trans. D’Acosta’s Hist. Indies, I. xvii. 57. That these nations of the Indies, which have lyen so long hidden, should bee knowne and discovered.

324 1679.  Dryden, Troilus & Cr., III. i. We’ll none of him: but let him like an Engine Not portable, lye lagg of all the Camp.

325 1745.  in Col. Rec. Pennsylv., V. 12. We have in this part of the country lain still, both the last Summer and this.

326 1769.  Falconer, Dict. Marine (1780), Tont le monde bas,… the order to the ship’s crew to lie snug upon deck or below.

327 1838.  Dickens, O. Twist, xlviii. He … resolved to lie concealed within a short distance of the metropolis. Ibid., l. Do you mean to sell me, or to let me lie here till this hunt is over?

328 1885.  U. S. Grant, Mem., I. xx. 269. They were growing impatient at lying idle so long, almost in hearing of the guns of the enemy.

329   b.  To lie in ambush, in wait, † in await (see the sbs.). † To lie for = to lie in wait for. To lie at catch or upon the catch (? arch. or dial.): to set oneself to entrap a person, to be captious. (For to lie at lurch, at ward, on one’s guard, see the sbs.)

330 1605.  T. Ryves, Vicar’s Plea (1620), 141. He must take heede that hee seeme not to lie at catch for an aduantage against his inferiour fellow Minister.

331 1611.  Cotgr., Aguetté, dogged; watched, waited; lien for.

332 1655.  Fuller, Ch. Hist., III. i. § 11. Lie at catch, and wait advantages one against another.

333 1671.  Shadwell, Humourists, III. 38. Dryb. … That’s stole out of a Play. Craz. What then, that’s lawful; ’tis a shifting age for wit, and every body lies upon the Catch.

334 a. 1715.  Burnet, Own Time (1724), I. 307. The Dutch had a rich fleet coming from Smyrna … Holmes was ordered to lye for them … with eight men of war.

335 1802–12.  Bentham, Ration. Judic. Evid. (1827), I. 588, note. Since he lay upon the watch and catch, only to see what the plaintiff proved.

336 1879.  Spurgeon, Serm., XXV. 329. He only asks the question because it ought to be asked, and does not lie upon the catch.

337   c.  Shooting. Of game-birds: To remain crouching upon the ground. (Also to lie dead.) To lie to the dogs, to the gun: to permit the approach of a dog or the sportsman without ‘rising.’

338 1797.  Encycl. Brit. (ed. 3), XVII. 441/1. After the birds have been sprung many times, they lie so dead that they will suffer him [the sportsman] almost to tread upon them before they will rise. Ibid., 441/2. Partridges lie much better to dogs that wind them, than to those that follow them by the track. Ibid., 443/1. When … the sportsman perceives the birds running with their heads erect, he must run after them … for he may be pretty certain they will not lie well that day.

339 1848.  Zoologist, VI. 1964. The Spanish snipe would much less frequently ‘lie’ to the gun.

340 1886.  Badm. Libr., Shooting, 6. In Scotland grouse are usually walked up with dogs. The birds in that country lie well…. If grouse lie well to dogs … they give easy marks to the gunner.

341   d.  To lie on or upon one’s arms, oars, sculls, to lie upon wing: see the sbs.

342   5.  To dwell or sojourn; esp. to sleep or pass the night (in a place), to lodge temporarily. Now rare or arch.

343 c. 1330.  R. Brunne, Chron. (1810), 312. At Sant Katerine hous þe erle Marschalle lay.

344 c. 1350.  Will. Palerne, 166. Þe king edwardes newe at glouseter þat ligges.

345 1415.  Sir T. Grey, in 43 Deputy Keeper’s Rep., 584. And yat neghte I lay at Kengston.

346 1547.  Boorde, Introd. Knowl., xvii. (1870), 167. Prage, wher the king of Boeme doth ly much whan he is in the countre.

347 1632.  Lithgow, Trav., IV. 141. [He] kept a better house, than any Ambassadour did, that euer lay at Constantinople.

348 1695.  Congreve, Love for L., I. xi. I think your father lies at Foresight’s.

349 1721.  Lond. Gaz., No. 5980/3. The Exeter Carrier has lain at the Saracen’s Head Inn … for many Years past.

350 1766.  Goldsm., Vic. W., vi. (Globe), 12. He refused, as he was to lie that night at a neighbour’s.

351 1776.  H. Walpole, Lett. to Mason, 16 April. She lay at home … or according to the chaste modern phrase, slept there.

352 1849.  Macaulay, Hist. Eng., viii. II. 295. He lay that night at the deanery.

353   b.  spec. of a host or army (or its leader): To be encamped, to have or take up a position in a field. † To lie in leaguer: see LEAGUER.

354 c. 1205.  Lay., 650. He … leai þer abuten & abat his balesiðes.

355 c. 1450.  Merlin, 239. The saisnes … laye that nyght stille armed.

356 1470–85.  Malory, Arthur, II. vi. For the kyng Ryons lyeth at a syege atte castel Tarabil.

357 a. 1533.  Ld. Berners, Huon, lxi. 213. Ye admyrall that lay at sege before ye castell.

358 a. 1548.  Hall, Chron., Hen. VIII., 259. The kyng laie before Bullein, and was like to have conquered the same.

359 1644.  Vicars, God in Mount, 146. Their Forces which had lyen so long before Sherborne.

360 a. 1671.  Ld. Fairfax, Mem. (1699), 28. At Wakefield, six miles off, lay three thousand of the enemy.

361 1724.  De Foe, Mem. Cavalier (1840), 68. The army lay under their arms all night.

362 1849.  Macaulay, Hist. Eng., iii. I. 294. Near the capital lay also the corps which is now designated as the first regiment of dragoons.

363   † c.  To live under specified circumstances or engaged in some specified occupation. (With at, about.) Obs.

364 1546.  Langley, Pol. Verg. De Invent., VIII. iii. 146 b. It cost hym his life in Areciæ, where he laye at Surgery for the healyng of his legge.

365 1599.  Hakluyt, Voy., II. I. 176. An Englishman called Thomas Williams … lieth about trade of merchandize in the streete called The Soca of the Iewes.

366 1623.  Massinger, Bondman, I. i. To lie at rack and manger.

367 1694.  Motteux, Rabelais, V. vii. (1737), 27. There he lay at Rack and Manger.

368 1719.  De Foe, Crusoe, II. vi. The men lying … at victuals and wages upon the owners’ account.

369   † d.  To be quartered on. Obs.

370 1669.  Ormonde MSS., in 10th Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm., App. V. 101. Five of the horsemen are lying on the tenants of your petitioner.

371   6.  In various idiomatic uses (with preps., etc.), expressive of steady and continuous action. (Cf. L. incumbere operi.)

372   † a.  To lie at, upon: to importune, urge. Obs.

373 1535.  Coverdale, 1 Macc. xi. 40. He … laye sore vpon him, to delyuer him this yonge Antiochus.

374 1566.  Gascoigne, Supposes, I. i. Poems 1869, I. 204. The olde dotarde, he that so instantly dothe lye vpon my father for me [i.e., as a suitor for her hand].

375 1568.  MS. Depos. Canterbury Cath. Libr., Bk. 16. 24 Sept., Shee hath layne at me a good while to have your good will in maryage with her.

376 1600.  Holland, Livy, I. 32. Dame Tullia lay ever upon him, & pricked forward his distempered & troubled mind.

377 1619.  W. Whateley, God’s Husb., ii. (1622), 114. To lie at him with vncessant and vehement sollicitations to commit such and such foule deeds.

378 1673.  Janeway, Heaven on E. (1847), 155. Shall they lie at you day and night, to give your consent,… and are you still unwilling?

379 a. 1688.  W. Clagett, 17 Serm. (1699), 358. The judge in the parable granted the widow’s suit merely because she lay upon him, and was troublesome to him.

380 1737.  Whiston, Josephus, Hist., III. viii. § 3. Nicanor lay hard at Josephus to comply.

381   † b.  To lie heavy upon: to oppress, harass. (Cf. 7 c.) Obs.

382 c. 1586.  C’tess Pembroke, Ps. CXLVI. iii. He orphans doth support: But heavy lies upon the godlesse sort.

383 1611.  Bible, 1 Esdras v. 72. The heathen of the land lying heauy vpon the inhabitants of Iudea, and holding them straite, hindred their building.

384 1676.  Hobbes, Iliad (1677), 181. This said, the Lycians heavier than before (To please their prince) upon the Argives lay.

385   c.  To lie † at, to: to apply oneself vigorously and steadily to.

386 1583.  Stocker, Civ. Warres Lowe C., III. 87 b. Citizens, Souldiers, Souldiers Wiues, and Pages, laye at it daye and night: insomuch that it was quickly dispatcht.

387 1656.  Baxter, Reformed Pastor, 58. This is the work that we should lie at with them night and day.

388 1833.  L. Ritchie, Wand. by Loire, 160. The men … lay desperately to their oars, and the skiff sprang through the water.

389 1837.  Carlyle, Fr. Rev., II. xi. 78. No mercenary mock-workers, but real ones that lie freely to it.

390   † d.  with gerund: To keep on or continue doing something. Obs. rare.

391 1692.  R. L’Estrange, Fables, xi. (1708), 13. Why will you lie Pining and Pinching your self in such a Lonesome, Starving Course of Life? Ibid., lxii. 77. The Generality of Mankind lye Pecking at One Another, till One by One they are all Torn to Pieces. Ibid. (1692), Josephus, iv. (1733), 892. Here’s an obscure, mean Wretch, that has the Face to lie tutoring me upon a Subject he knows nothing at all of himself.

392   II.  Said of things, material or immaterial.

393   7.  Of material things: To be placed or set horizontally or lengthwise or at rest on the ground or other surface.

394 c. 1000.  Ags. Gosp., John xx. 5. He ʓeseah þa linwæda licʓan.

395 c. 1290.  S. Eng. Leg., I. 9/296. Þat treo ne scholde nouȝt ligge þere.

396 a. 1300.  Cursor M., 1129. His blod on erth sced lijs.

397 1362.  Langl., P. Pl., A. V. 65. As a leek þat hedde I-leiȝen longe In þe sonne.

398 c. 1400.  Maundev. (Roxb.), iii. 9. Apon þat body lay a grete plate of gold.

399 c. 1450.  St. Cuthbert (Surtees), 6603. Alle þe clathes lay him aboute.

400 a. 1548.  Hall, Chron., Hen. VIII., 262 b. On all the bankes by the water side, laie peces of ordinaunce whiche shot of.

401 1590.  Greene, Mourn. Garm. (1616), 12. A bottle full of Country whigge, By the Shepheards side did ligge.

402 1747.  Wesley, Prim. Physick (1762), 75. Take as much as lies on a shilling of Calcin’d Eggshells.

403 1754.  Chatham, Lett. Nephew, vi. 42. I hear with great pleasure, that Jocke lay before you, when you writ last to me.

404 1776–96.  Withering, Brit. Plants (ed. 3), II. 436. Corn fields and sandy places, especially where water has lain.

405 1849.  Macaulay, Hist. Eng., iii. I. 345. The ruins of an old fort were to be seen lying among the pebbles and seaweed on the beach.

406   b.  To be deposited, remain permanently in a specified place.

407 c. 1400.  Maundev. (Roxb.), ii. 6. Þe coroune lyes in a vessell of cristall.

408 1459.  Test. Ebor. (Surtees), II. 227. A Sawter … and an Hympner … lyggynge in his saide closet.

409 1463.  Bury Wills (Camden), 22. The gardeyn assigned … for woode to lye in.

410 1535.  Coverdale, Judith xii. 1. Then commaunded he her to go in, where his treasure laye.

411 1609.  Skene, Reg. Maj., 1 b. Al the grains and cornes lyand in bings.

412 1804.  Europ. Mag., XLV. 65/1. A Petition from J. Macleod … was ordered to lie on the table.

413 1849.  Macaulay, Hist. Eng., iii. I. 393. An esquire passed among his neighbours for a great scholar, if Hudibras and Baker’s Chronicle [etc.] … lay in his hall window among the fishing rods and fowling pieces.

414 1891.  Law Times, XCI. 411/2. Jeune, J. made the order, but directed that it should lie in the office for a week.

415   c.  Of a building, etc.: To be overthrown or fallen; with complement, as to lie in ruins, in the dust. To lie heavy: to be a heavy load upon (lit. and fig.: see HEAVY a.). Of food, etc., To lie heavy, cold, etc. († formerly, simply to lie) on the stomach: to be felt as oppressive.

416 c. 1330.  Arth. & Merl., 544 (Kölbing). Foundement & werk þai founde Ligge vp so & doun op þe grounde.

417 a. 1592.  H. Smith, God’s Arrow agst. Atheists, v. (1593), K 3 b. If it bee not builded vpon a good foundation … the whole building is like to lie in the dust.

418 1711.  Swift, Jrnl. to Stella, 5 Sept. I ate sturgeon, and it lies on my stomach.

419 c. 1726.  [see HEAVY 1 b].

420 1884.  W. C. Smith, Kildrostan, 43. One sidewall long had in ruins lain.

421 1897.  Allbutt’s Syst. Med., III. 704. Delicate persons, in whom the cold water tends to lie heavy on the stomach.

422   8.  To remain unworked, unused, untouched or undiscovered. Often with complement, as to lie barren, hid, waste (see also FALLOW a.2, LEA a.); also in phr. to lie on one’s hands, to lie at a stand.

423   (Cf. sense 4, where the subj. is a person or a personification.)

424 a. 1300.  Cursor M., 6841. Your land yee sal sau seuen [sic] yeir…. Þe seuend ye sal it lat lij still.

425 1377.  Langl., P. Pl., B. VI. 165. Worth neuere plente amonge þe poeple þer-while my plow liggeth.

426 a. 1548.  Hall, Chron., Hen. VIII., 173 b. Wherfore all brode Clothes, Kerseis, and Cottons, laye on their handes.

427 1560.  Daus, trans. Sleidane’s Comm., 150 b. Through our mens wrytinges, sondrye articles are called agayne to lyght, whiche laye before hidde in darkenes.

428 c. 1590.  Marlowe, Faustus (1604), D 3 b. Letts goe and make cleane our bootes which lie foule vpon our handes.

429 1622.  in Buccleuch MSS. (Hist. MSS. Comm.), I. 211. This hath made matters to lie a little at a stand.

430 1628.  Digby, Voyage Medit. (1868), 68. To make them buy their currantes (which lay vpon their handes).

431 1641.  Hinde, J. Bruen, To Rdr. 7. This worke hath lyen above twice five [years].

432 1653.  Holcroft, Procopius, III. 88. Turris, an ancient City … which had been sack’d by Barbarians, and layen long wast.

433 1671.  Flavel, Fount. of Life, I. 3. ’Tis pity that anything in Christ should ly hid from his People.

434 1879.  Gladstone, Glean., I. i. 2. Rarely within the living memory has so much of skill lain barren.

435   † 9.  Of the wind, the tongue: To be or become still, be at rest, subside. Obs.

436 a. 1000.  Phœnix, 182. Ðonne wind liʓeð weder bið fæʓer.

437 1600.  Holland, Livy, XXV. xxvii. 569. When the East wind began to lie, which for certeine daies had blustred and raged.

438 1611.  Cotgr., Languarde,… a wench whose tongue neuer lyes.

439 1647.  Trapp, Comm. 1 Thess. v. 3. When the winde lies, the great rain fals.

440 1689.  Prior, Ep. to F. Shephard, 110. Fancies flow in, and Muse flies high; So God knows when my Clack will lye.

441   10.  To be situated (in space), to have a (specified) position. Often with adj. (or quasi-adv.) complement.

442 c. 1121.  O. E. Chron., an. 656 (Laud MS.). Ealle þa landes þa þær abuton liggeð.

443 a. 1300.  Cursor M., 2469. Þe land o gommor þar-bi lijs.

444 1377.  Langl., P. Pl., B. X. 316. Ac þei leten hem as lordes her londe lith so brode.

445 c. 1400.  Lanfranc’s Cirurg., 161. In þe holownes þat is aboue liggiþ þe herte & þe lungis.

446 1455.  Rolls of Parlt., V. 313/1. vii acres of Mede, liggyng in the Mede beside the Brigge of Chartesey.

447 1577.  Hanmer, Anc. Eccl. Hist. (1619), 508. The citie, which lay wonderfull commodious for the Romanes.

448 1597.  Bacon, Coulers Good & Evill, V. Ess (Arb.), 144. Men whose liuing lieth together in one Shire.

449 1605.  Shaks., Lear, III. iv. 21. O that way madnesse lies, let me shun that.

450 1648.  Hamilton Papers (Camden), 184. I belieue the sceane of disorder may lye heere.

451 1657.  R. Ligon, Barbadoes (1673), 3. So much is the eye deceived in Land which lies high.

452 1695.  Woodward, Nat. Hist. Earth, II. (1723), 77. Those Strata that ly deepest.

453 1711.  Addison, Spect., No. 170, ¶ 13. It is a Misfortune for a Woman to be born between the Tropicks; for there lie the hottest Regions of Jealousy.

454 1793.  Smeaton, Edystone L., § 204. A small sea-port of Somersetshire, lying upon the Bristol Channel.

455 1818.  Cruise, Digest (ed. 2), V. 606. Within the manor of Collingham, where the lands lay.

456 1883.  Eng. Illustr. Mag., Nov., 72/1. The wild beauty of Wicken Fen is in striking contrast with the cultivated land lying around it.

457   b.  To be spread out or extended to the view.

458 1764.  Goldsm., Trav., 100. But let us try these truths with closer eyes, And trace them through the prospect as it lies.

459 1792.  Gentl. Mag., 9/2. A spacious field now lies before the Christian world for the introduction of a better policy.

460 1836.  J. H. Newman, Par. Serm. (1837), III. x. 141. It is remarkable that such difficulties as these should lie on the face of Scripture.

461 1848.  W. H. Bartlett, Egypt to Pal., v. (1879), 99. We could not for a moment expect such indications to lie upon the surface.

462 1860.  Pusey, Min. Proph., 181. Samaria … unfenced and unconcealed by walls, lay open, unsheltered in every part from the gaze of the besiegers.

463 1890.  J. Payn, Burnt Million, II. xxx. 248. What a future seemed to lie before him!

464   c.  Of a road, way, journey, etc.: To extend, have a (specified) direction.

465 c. 1000.  Ælfric, Gen. xxxv. 19. On þam weʓe, þe lið to Euphfrate.

466 1596.  Shaks., Tam. Shr., III. ii. 212. There lies your way. Ibid. (1605), Lear, III. iv. 10. If thy flight lay toward the roaring Sea.

467 1648.  Gage, West Ind., 114. I found it not so hard to overcome, as I had conceited, the way lying with windings.

468 1849.  Macaulay, Hist. Eng., x. II. 567. The counties through which the road to London lay.

469 1851.  Carlyle, Sterling, II. vii. (1872), 142. Our course lay along the Valley of the Rhone.

470 1883.  R. W. Dixon, Mano, III. viii. 136. Nor doubt I where my voyage next must lie.

471   d.  Of the wind: To remain in a specified quarter.

472 1604.  E. G[rimstone], D’Acosta’s Hist. Indies, IV. v. 218. Small furnaces vpon the sides of the mountaines, built expresly where the winde lies.

473 1704.  Ray, Creation, I. (ed. 4), 96. The wind lying in that corner at least three quarters of the Year.

474   11.  Naut. a. Of a ship: To be stationed in a berth or anchorage.

475 c. 1121.  O. E. Chron., an. 1009 (Laud MS.). And þær [þa scipu] sceoldan licgan.

476 c. 1470.  Henry, Wallace, VII. 1068. A hundreth schippys … in hawyn was lyand thar.

477 1495.  Naval Acc. Hen. VII. (1896), 254. The seid ship lying at Rode in the Kynges haven.

478 1530.  Palsgr., 610/1. I lye at an anker, as a shyppe dothe.

479 1775.  R. Chandler, Trav. Asia Minor (1825), I. 35. They lay at anchor near Tenedos.

480 a. 1812.  A. Cherry, Song, Bay of Biscay, 7. Our poor devoted bark, Till next day, there she lay, In the Bay of Biscay O!

481 1849.  Macaulay, Hist. Eng., iii. I. 302. He … lay in port when he was ordered to chase a Sallee rover.

482 1851.  D. G. Mitchell, Fresh Glean., 12. The Zebra lay just off the pier.

483   b.  To steer in a (specified) direction. Also (quasi-trans.) to lie the course: (of a ship) to have her head in the direction wished. To lie at hull: see HULL sb.2 2.

484 1574.  W. Bourne, Regiment for Sea, xix. (1577), 51 a. If the ship haue had often trauerse by the meanes of contrary windes, so that she could not lie hir course.

485 1597–8.  Bp. Hall, Sat., IV. v. 121. Whiles his false broker lyeth in the wind.

486 1719.  De Foe, Crusoe, II. ii. (1840), 27. They could not lie near the wind.

487 1748.  Anson’s Voy., III. v. 342. The proas … are capable of lying much nearer the wind than any other vessel hitherto known.

488 1769.  Falconer, Dict. Marine (1780), G gg. The ship cannot lie her course without being close-hauled.

489 1800.  Nelson, in Nicolas, Disp. (1845), IV. 189. The Success being to leeward, Captain Peard … lay across his hawse.

490 1892.  H. M. Doughty, Our Wherry in Wendish Lands, 123. The waterway we now entered … was scarcely four feet deep … and that only in the middle. Luckily we could just lie it. Ibid., 301. A turn enabled us to lie our course, and up the sail went.

491   12.  fig. Of immaterial things: To exist, be found, have place, reside (in some specified place or quarter); to be set, fixed or arranged in some specified position or order. † To lie fair: to be just or reasonable. † To lie in common: to be common to or among several possessors.

492 c. 1250.  Gen. & Ex., 1916. For-ði wexem wið gret nið And hate, for it in ille (herte) lið.

493 a. 1300.  Cursor M., 22280. Al falshed and feluni, And al tresun sal in him lii.

494 1380.  Wyclif, Wks. (1880), 334. And þus popes & prelates kepen to hem silf assoylyng, in which lyþe wynnyng.

495 c. 1449.  Pecock, Repr., II. xiv. 233. Whiche ij. textis, if thei ben considered as thei liggen to gidere in rewe.

496 1523.  Skelton, Garl. Laurel, 1200. Therby lyith a tale.

497 1538.  Starkey, England, I. ii. 33. Herin, me semyth lyth a dowte.

498 1566.  Adlington, Apuleius, To Rdr. I have not … so absolutely translated every word as it lieth in the prose.

499 1641.  Milton, Animadv., V. Wks. 1851, III. 223. If the words lay thus in order.

500 1662.  Stillingfl., Orig. Sacr., I. i. § 15. This defect … of those histories is either more general, which lies in common to them all, or [etc.]. Ibid., II. iv. § 1. If the opposition did not lie between the order of true Prophets … and the false Prophets.

501 1672.  R. Montagu, in Buccleuch MSS. (Hist. MSS. Comm.), I. 520. Methinks it is natural and lies fair enough that … I should have some share in [etc.].

502 1704.  Swift, T. Tub, Wks. 1760, I. 67. Their father … commanded, that whatever they got should lie in common among them all.

503 1711.  Addison, Spect., No. 170, ¶ 12. Their Acquaintance and Conversation has lain wholly among the vicious Part of Womankind.

504 1719.  J. T. Philipps, trans. Thirty four Confer., 43. If they continue in their Disobedience, the fault lies at their own doors.

505 1845.  McCulloch, Taxation, I. iv. (1852), 109. If the choice lay only between a tax on property and a tax on income.

506 1848.  J. H. Newman, Loss & Gain, 147. He … holds many profound truths in detail, but is quite unable to see how they lie to each other.

507 1861.  M. Pattison, Ess. (1889), I. 33. The people themselves, incapable of discerning where their true interest lay.

508 1868.  Freeman, Norm. Conq. (1876), II. vii. 112. Their sympathies lay wholly with Gruffydd.

509 1883.  R. W. Dixon, Mano, I. viii. 23. And told him all the truth, how all things lay.

510   † b.  Of thoughts, inclinations, activities, etc.: To have a specified direction. Obs.

511 1633.  Bp. Hall, Hard Texts, N. T., 281. Our fight doth not lye against flesh and blood.

512 1641.  J. Jackson, True Evang. T., III. 189. The Elench here lyes directly, and point-blanck against the Papists.

513 1666.  Boyle, Orig. Formes & Qual. (1667), 2. The … Prejudices that lye against them.

514 1672.  Villiers (Dk. Buckhm.), Rehearsal, I. i. (Arb.), 25. My humour lyes another way.

515 1692.  R. L’Estrange, Fables, Life Æsop (1708), 22. Æsop’s Faculty lay notably that way.

516 1825.  New Monthly Mag., XIII. 17. My inclinations have not lain towards prose.

517   c.  To lie in (a person): to rest or center in him; to depend upon him, be in his power (to do). Now chiefly in phr. as far as in (me, etc.) lies. Also, to lie in one’s power, to lie in (or † on) one’s hands.

518 c. 1350.  Will. Palerne, 965. Þer-for loueliche ladi in þe lis al min hope.

519 c. 1374.  Chaucer, Compl. Mars, 184. Sith hit lythe in his myght.

520 1393.  Langl., P. Pl., C. XXI. 431. Hit lyth in my grace, Wheþer þei deye oþer deye nat.

521 c. 1440.  Generydes, 3109. I wote right wele it lithe in me The Sowdon to destroye.

522 1470–85.  Malory, Arthur, II. iii. Aske what ye wil and ye shall haue it, and hit lye in my power to yeue hit.

523 a. 1533.  Ld. Berners, Huon, lxxxi. 243. It lyeth now in you to do with hym at your pleasure.

524 a. 1548.  Hall, Chron., Hen. VIII., 255 b. Thei promised the kyng, to doo all that in theim laie with their frendes.

525 1590.  Marlowe, Edw. II. (1598), H 2 b. Fauour him my Lord, as much as lieth in you.

526 1593.  Shaks., Rich. II., I. ii. 4. Correction lyeth in those hands Which made the fault that wee cannot correct.

527 1597.  Hooker, Eccl. Pol., V. lx. § 7. The Church, as much as in her lieth, wilfully casteth away their soules.

528 1605.  Bacon, Adv. Learn., II. vii. § 2 (1873), 113. To me … that do desire as much as lieth in my pen [etc.].

529 1613.  Overbury, A Wife, Wks. (1856), 44. Women though they weaker be … yet on their hands The chastity of men doth often lye.

530 1642.  Rogers, Naaman, 176. As much as in you hath lyen.

531 1662.  Charles II., in Julia Cartwright, Henrietta of Orleans (1894), 121. I am sure I have done all that lies in my power.

532 1720.  Ozell, Vertot’s Rom. Rep., I. IV. 226. All the Hopes of the Republic lay in an old Man just taken from the Plough.

533 1875.  Scrivener, Lect. Text N. Test., 9. Resolved, so far as in him lay, to root out the Christian Faith.

534 1885.  Tennyson, Tiresias. Only in thy virtue lies The saving of our Thebes.

535   † d.  To belong or pertain to a person (to do); to pertain, be attached or incident to a thing. Also, to lie (one) in hand to do. Obs.

536 c. 1225.  Leg. Kath., 779. Ne lið hit nawt to þe to leggen lahe upon me.

537 13[?].  Minor Poems fr. Vernon MS. (E.E.T.S.), 505/453. Þer-to liht muche mede.

538 c. 1430.  Hymns Virg., 42. To me, maistir deuel, it lijs; To ihesu wole y take hede.

539 1577.  trans. Bullinger’s Decades (1592), 73. He cannot choose … but … do all things, that lie God a King and Prieste in hande to doe.

540 1657.  W. Rand, trans. Gassendi’s Life Peiresc, I. 59. Contrarily, it lies me in hand, I suppose, to take heed, least [etc.].

541   e.  To lie with: to be the office or province of (some one) to do something.

542 1885.  Manch. Exam., 22 Sept., 5/1. It lies now with Turkey to take the initiative.

543   f.  To rest or be imposed as a burden, charge, obligation, etc., upon a person; to be incumbent or obligatory upon; to press or weigh upon (one’s mind or heart).

544 a. 1300.  Cursor M., 8348 (Cott.). He tald þat him lai apon hert. Ibid., 13385 (Gött.). On vs ligges noght þe nede.

545 1526.  Tindale, Acts xxvii. 20. Noo smale tempest laye apon vs.

546 1551.  Recorde, Pathw. Knowl., Ep. to King. Sundrie occasions which may lye them on.

547 1596.  Shaks., 1 Hen. IV., V. ii. 48. O, would the quarrell lay vpon our heads.

548 1630.  Sanderson, Serm., II. 255. It lieth us upon, to employ it to the best advantage we can.

549 1666.  Bunyan, Grace Ab., ¶ 86. That Scripture lay much upon me, without shedding of Blood is no remission.

550 1676.  W. Hubbard, Happiness of People, 49. The present distress of the war that hath lyen so long upon us.

551 a. 1715.  Burnet, Own Time (1724), I. 62. It was a duty lying on them by the Covenant.

552 1722.  De Foe, Plague (Rtldg.), 94. These Things … lay upon my Mind.

553 1794.  Burke, Sp. agst. W. Hastings, Wks. XVI. 74. With those charges lying upon him.

554 1804.  Castlereagh, in Owen, Wellesley’s Desp., 258. It lay upon them to offer terms to us.

555 1873.  Act 36 & 37 Vict., c. 86 § 24. It shall lie on the defendant to prove that the child is not of such age.

556   g.  To be set at stake; to hang or depend on or upon a hazard, doubtful issue, etc.

557 1590.  Spenser, F. Q., I. iii. 12. Full fast she fled … As if her life upon the wager lay.

558 1601.  Shaks., All’s Well, III. vii. 43. He persists As if his life lay on’t. Ibid. (1606), Ant. & Cl., III. viii. 5. Our fortune lyes Vpon this iumpe.

559 1668.  R. Steele, Husbandman’s Calling, iv. (1672), 52. Nor … can he reform sin, if his life lay on it.

560 1760–72.  H. Brooke, Fool of Qual. (1809), II. 142. We entered as warmly into it [the question], as though a province had lain at stake.

561   h.  To lie in: to consist in, to have its ground or basis in. † Also with inf. instead of in and object.

562 1589.  Puttenham, Eng. Poesie, III. xxii. (Arb.), 265. Another point of surplusage lieth not so much in superfluitie of your words.

563 1633.  G. Herbert, Temple, Faith, vii. If blisse had lien in art or strength, None but the wise or strong had gained it.

564 1644.  Milton, Areop. (Arb.), 51. But here the great art lyes to discern in what [etc.].

565 1724.  A. Collins, Gr. Chr. Relig., 75. The argument lies in the word Netser.

566 a. 1770.  Jortin, Serm. (1771), VII. ii. 29. The perfection of every being must lie in its best part.

567 1871.  B. Stewart, Heat, § 84. Our only chance of success lies in abstracting heat from this liquid.

568 1881.  Gardiner & Mullinger, Study Eng. Hist., I. iii. 48. The true remedy lay … in female education. Ibid., x. 178. Pitt’s strength lay in his character.

569   i.  To lie in, within: to be contained or comprised in (a specified room or compass); † to admit of being expressed in (rhyme).

570 a. 1300.  Cursor M., 9240 (Gött.). Of abiud [cam] Elyachim, Of quam Asor, sadoch of him, þat loth er for to lig in rim.

571 1712.  Addison, Spect., No. 414, ¶ 1. The Beauties of the most stately Garden or Palace lie in a narrow Compass.

572 1771.  Junius Lett., lviii. 301. The question … lies within a very narrow compass.

573   † j.  To lie at one’s heart: to be the object of one’s affection or desire. Similarly, to lie heavy at or to one’s heart: to give one grave anxiety. Obs.

574 1607.  Shaks., Cor., IV. ii. 48. It would vnclogge my heart Of what lyes heauy too’t.

575 1638.  R. Baker, trans. Balzac’s Lett. (vol. II.), 32. I have something, I know not what, lies heavy at my heart.

576 1673.  Sir W. Temple, To Dk. Ormond, Wks. 1720, I. 123. The Spaniards have but one Temptation to quarrel with Us, which is an occasion of recovering Jamaica, for that has ever lien at their hearts.

577   13.  (Chiefly in Law.) Of an action, charge, claim, etc.: To be admissible or sustainable.

578 c. 1320.  Sir Tristr., 853. Certes, þi fader þan slouȝ y. Seþþen þou so hast sayd, Amendes þer ouȝt to ly.

579 c. 1385.  Chaucer, L. G. W., Prol. 409. For sythe no cause of deth lyth in this cace, Ȝow oughte to ben the lyghtere merciable.

580 1495.  Act 11 Hen. VII., c. 24 § 1. None essoyne or proteccion to lye nor to be allowed in the same.

581 1621.  Elsing, Debates Ho. Lords (Camden), 108. To consider what appeales out of the Chancery to this Courte doe lye.

582 1651.  Hobbes, Leviath., III. xlii. 277. There lyeth Excommunication for Injustice.

583 1712.  Prideaux, Direct. Ch.-wardens (ed. 4), 75. There doth lye an Appeal to the Bishop.

584 1745.  Wesley, Answ. Ch., 5. I should rejoice if there lay no other Objection against them, than that of Erroneous Opinions.

585 1748.  Richardson, Clarissa (1811), VIII. 253. If not, then indeed is thy conscience seared, and no hopes will lie for thee.

586 1756.  Burke, Subl. & B., II. ix. Some or all of these objections will lie against every figure of a cross.

587 1818.  Cruise, Digest (ed. 2), V. 430. A writ of error did not lie after he attained his full age.

588 1850.  Robertson, Serm., Ser. III. ix. (1853), 121. One from whose knowledge … there lies almost no appeal.

589 1865.  Lightfoot, Galat. (1874), 124. Still more serious objections lie against identifying it with any later visit in the Acts.

590 1866.  Crump, Banking, iv. 93. In which case no action for damages would lie.

591   † 14.  Of land, landed possessions: To appertain to. Obs.

592 839.  in Birch, Cartul. Sax., I. 599. xiiii aeceras & ða mæde þe þær to lið.

593 c. 1050.  in Kemble, Cod. Dipl., IV. 232. Ælc ðara landa ðe on mines fæder dæʓe læʓ into Cristes cyrcean.

594 a. 1225.  Leg. Kath., 28. King of þat lond þat lei into Rome.

595 a. 1225.  Juliana, 13. Alle þe londes þe þerto liggeð.

596 c. 1420.  Chron. Vilod., st. 983. A parcell of lond … Þe wheche ryȝtwyslyche to þat Abbay lay.

597 1583.  Stubbes, Anat. Abus., II. (1882), 29. A house, with pasture lieng to it.

598 1618.  Bolton, Florus, I. ix. (1636), 24. Whereas they had in the beginning no Land of their owne lying to their City.

599   ¶ III.  15. trans. Used causatively or by mistake for LAY v.1 Now rare.

600 1387.  Trevisa, Higden (Rolls), VII. 369. He was wont to legge [MS. γ lygge] his heed uppon a forme.

601 a. 1400–50.  Alexander, 2101. He comands To gedire þam vp ilka gome & þam in grauys ligg.

602 1402.  Jack Upland (Skeat), 46–7. And whan ye liggen it [your habit] besyde you, than lig ye youre religion besyde you, and ben apostatas.

603 c. 1485.  Digby Myst. (1882), IV. 549. We shall … ly hym in the mold.

604 a. 1500.  Medwall, Nature (Brandl), II. 1088. Thy sores whyche be mortall Onles that thys medycyns to theym be layn.

605 1641.  Best, Farm. Bks. (Surtees), 48. That in mowinge hee neauer lye out his sheaues beyonde the balkes but rather within the balkes.

606 c. 1648–50.  Brathwait, Barnabees Jrnl., III. P iv. I saw a Tombe one had beene laine in.

607 1699.  Garth, Dispens., II. (1706), 16. Whilst Seas of melted oar lye waste the Plains.

608 a. 1703.  Burkitt, On N. T., Mark iv. 41. Christ, as God, lies a law upon the most lawless creatures.

609 1708.  J. C., Compl. Collier (1845), 18. Would they but lye their groundless pretences by.

610 1749.  Fielding, Tom Jones, XII. xii. The whole furniture of the infernal regions hath long been appropriated to the managers of play-houses, who seem lately to have lain them by as rubbish.

611 1802.  Med. & Phys. Jrnl., VIII. 507. I dressed the wound, lying down as much of the scalp as [etc.].

612 1809.  Malkin, Gil Blas, I. xvi. ¶ 5. The cloth was lain. Down we sat at table.

613 1880.  F. G. Lee, Church under Eliz., II. 245. As God had lain this peer’s honour in the dust.

614   IV.  Combined with adverbs.

615   † 16.  Lie aback. a. To be backward, reluctant or shy. Obs.

616 1560.  in Tytler, Hist. Scot. (1864), III. 397. Not only shall any of his own pretend to disobey or ly aback in this action, but [etc.].

617 1596.  Dalrymple, trans. Leslie’s Hist. Scot., II. 148. Nathir … in tyme of neid lyes the Pechtis abak wt thair supporte.

618   † b.  as sb. Shyness, timidity. Obs.

619 c. 1600.  Montgomerie, Cherrie & Slae, 1423. Sir, I have sein them baith, In braidieness and lye aback, Escape and cum to skaith.

620   † 17.  Lie abroad. To lodge out of one’s house or abode; to reside in a foreign country (in quot. 1651 with pun on LIE v.2). Obs.

621 c. 1645.  Howell, Lett. (1650), III. 13. We might go barefoot, and ly abroad as beasts having no other canopy than the wild air.

622 1651.  Walton, Life Sir H. Wotton, Reliq. W. c 1 b. An Embassadour is an honest man, sent to lie abroad for the good of his Countrey.

623 1653.  Holcroft, Procopius, II. 39. He … being said to be sent to ly abroad, to prevent mischief to the Camp.

624 1675.  Collect. Sev. Treat. Penal Laws, Pref. A iv. The Popes Ambassadors … lye abroad for his … advantage.

625   18.  Lie along. a. To be prostrate at full length, to lie outstretched on the ground (now arch.); to extend along a surface.

626 1530.  Palsgr., 601/1. I lye … as one lyeth alonge upon the grounde.

627 1600.  Shaks., A. Y. L., II. i. 30. As he lay along Vnder an oake.

628 1734.  J. Ward, Introd. Math., App. Gauging 455. To find what Quantity of Liquor is in any Cask, when its Axis is Parallel to the Horizon, viz. when it lies along.

629 1737.  Whiston, Josephus, Antiq., VI. i. § 1. Dagon … lay along, as having fallen down from the basis whereon he had stood.

630 1771.  Goldsm., Hist. Eng., I. 91. A cell so small, that he could neither stand erect, nor lie along in it.

631 1803.  Beddoes, Hygëia, X. 21. Few persons, suddenly stimulated to anger as they were lying along, would continue to repose in the same easy manner.

632 1883.  R. W. Dixon, Mano, III. vi. 129. Him who there lay dead along.

633 1885–94.  R. Bridges, Eros & Psyche, July, xxii. The … wings, That from his shoulders lay along at rest.

634   b.  Naut. Of a ship: To incline to one side under the pressure of a wind abeam.

635 1769.  Falconer, Dict. Marine (1780), s.v. Along, Lying-Along, the state of being pressed down sideways by a weight of sail in a fresh wind that crosses the ship’s course.

636 1781.  Archer, in Naval Chron., XI. 288. The Ship lay very much along, by the pressure of the wind.

637 1838.  Poe, A. G. Pym, xiii. Wks. (1865), IV. 109. The hulk lay more along than ever, so that we could not stand an instant without lashing ourselves.

638   19.  Lie back. To lean backwards against some support.

639 1894.  Crockett, Raiders, 14. I shipped the oars and lay back thinking.

640   20.  Lie by. † a. To have a concubine. (Cf. LIE-BY 1.) Obs.

641 1571.  Satir. Poems Reform., xxviii. 28. My Father … had ane wyfe, Thocht he abusit his body, and lay by.

642   b.  Naut. = lie to 28 a: see BY adv. 2 b.

643 1613.  [see BY adv. 2 b].

644 1666.  Lond. Gaz., No. 60/1. Our Fregats received some damage in their sails, and … were forced to ly by to mend them.

645 1748.  Anson’s Voy., II. v. 177. We lay by all the night … for Captain Saunders … to join us.

646 1769.  Falconer, Dict. Marine (1780), A a a 4. To make sail, after having lain-by for some time.

647   c.  To remain unused, be laid up in store.

648 1642.  Rogers, Naaman, 59. Let his carnall favour, and erroneous conceits ly by, let him empty himselfe of a worldly heart. Ibid., 441. Peters nets lay by when the season was.

649 1692.  R. L’Estrange, Fables, cccclviii. 434. The … Wretchedness of Avarice, that rather then make use of the Bounties of Providence in their Seasons, suffers them to lye by and Perish.

650 1719.  W. Wood, Surv. Trade, 74. Thriving Nations have … great Stores lying by of their own Manufactures.

651 1843.  Mrs. Carlyle, Lett., I. 254. I had … pillows lying by of no use.

652   d.  To keep quiet, withdraw from observation; to remain inactive, rest.

653 1709.  Addison, Tatler, No. 133, ¶ 5. To lie by for some Time in Silence and Obscurity.

654 1754.  Richardson, Grandison, II. 53. Sir H. ‘What a plague—you did not cane him?’ Sir Ch. ‘He got well after a fortnight’s lying by.’

655 1809.  Malkin, Gil Blas, X. i. ¶ 6. We determined on lying by for a day at Valladolid, as well to rest our mules, as to call on Signor Sangrado.

656 1824.  Scott, St. Ronan’s, xxv. I lay by on the watch for some opportunity when I might mend my own situation with my father.

657 1840.  R. H. Dana, Bef. Mast, xxxi. 117. I must go below, and lie-by for a day or two.

658 1892.  Law Times, XCIII. 414/1. The plaintiff had lain by, whereas he should have taken the earliest opportunity of coming to the court.

659   21.  Lie down. a. (ME. also lie adown.) See sense 2 and DOWN adv. 5. Also refl. (now arch.). Also in pregnant senses: To fall in battle; † to die; to go to bed.

660 c. 1205.  Lay., 6864. Seoððen he dun læi [c. 1275 deaȝede].

661 1297.  R. Glouc. (Rolls), 1145. Þe romeins leie sone adoun; he made ampti place, & þe brutons arise vaste. Ibid., 2204. Oþer ligge adoun & be aslawe.

662 a. 1300.  Cursor M., 10711. Þan lai þai all in kneling dun.

663 1340–70.  Alex. & Dind., 446. We liggen down in our den.

664 c. 1460.  Towneley Myst., ii. 326. So lig down ther and take thi rest.

665 1535.  Coverdale, Ruth iii. contents, Ruth lyeth her downe in the barne at Boos fete. Ibid., Isa. xi. 6. The leoparde shal lye downe by the gote.

666 a. 1631.  Donne, Poems (1650), 17. Why should we rise, because ’tis light? Did we lie downe, because ’twas night?

667 1774.  Foote, Cozeners, III. Wks. 1799, II. 185. Mrs. Air. Pray, Madam, is the young lady at home? Mrs. Fl. Just lain down for a little.

668 1815.  Scott, Guy M., ii. They rose early and lay down late.

669 1847.  Marryat, Childr. N. Forest, iv. There may be anether [stag] lying down in the fern close to us.

670 1860.  Tyndall, Glac., I. xvi. 113. I lay down and had five minutes sleep.

671 1861.  Dasent, Burnt Njal, II. 312. Kari lay him down.

672   † b.  To be brought to bed of a child. Obs.

673 c. 1450.  Merlin, 89. The kynge sawgh that the quene was redy to ly down.

674 1580.  Lyly, Euphues, Ep. Ded. (Arb.), 214. Of the second I went a whole yeare big, and yet when euerye one thought me ready to lye downe, I did then quicken.

675 1620.  J. Pyper, trans. Hist. Astrea, I. VI. 171. His wife lay downe, but it was of a daughter.

676 1654.  trans. Martini’s Conq. China, 212. Matrons with Child and ready to lye down.

677 1692.  R. L’Estrange, Fables, xxii. (1708), 29. A Wolf came to a Sow that was just lying down, and very kindly offer’d to take care of her Litter.

678 1818.  W. Godwin, in Kegan Paul, Life (1876), II. 256. He says … that Eliza was expected to lie down in two days after he sailed.

679   † c.  Of an army: To take up a position before.

680 1693.  Mem. Cnt. Teckely, I. 82. This obliged Heister to demand Cannon and Foot, with whom he lay down before the Castle of Kus.

681   d.  To take (a beating, defeat, etc.) lying down: to receive it with abject submission.

682 1888.  Sat. Rev., 4 Aug., 133/1. Those who … profess themselves willing to take, ‘lying down,’ any and every inconvenience that the victorious Irish may inflict.

683   † 22.  Lie forth. Of bees: To settle outside the hive. (Cf. lie out, 26 b.) Obs.

684 1609.  C. Butler, Fem. Mon. (1634), 47. Those [hives] that have lyen forth, or otherwise be very full, you may let alone.

685   23.  Lie in. a. To be brought to bed of a child († also const. with); to be ‘confined.’ Also fig.

686 c. 1440.  Promp. Parv., 304/2. Lyyn’ yn or yn chylde bedde … decubo.

687 c. 1530.  Ld. Berners, Arth. Lyt. Bryt. (1814), 42. As yet I am not determyned in what place she shall lye in.

688 1602.  Rowlands, Tis Merrie when Gossips meete, 35. When I lay in of my first Boy.

689 1607.  Shaks., Cor., I. iii. 86. You must go visit the good Lady that lies in.

690 1626.  Bacon, Sylva, § 899. The Shee-Beare breedeth, and lyeth in with her Young.

691 1729–30.  Bolingbroke, in Swift’s Lett. (1766), II. 105. His wife lies-in with one child.

692 1749.  Fielding, Tom Jones, XII. xiv. Five hungry children, and a wife lying in of a sixth.

693 1762.  Goldsm., Cit. W., xc. They regularly retire every year at proper intervals to lie in of the spleen.

694 1825.  New Monthly Mag., XIII. 51. Learning then ordinarily lay-in of folio volumes.

695 1871.  Tylor, Prim. Cult., 76. ’Tis like a Koravan eating asafœtida when his wife lies in.

696   † b.  To amount to, cost (a certain sum); ‘to stand (a person) in’ so much. Obs.

697 1622.  in Picton, L’pool Munic. Rec. (1883), I. 212. Soe much money … as the tendinge and keepinge of the said clocke shall lye in.

698 1660.  Willsford, Scales Comm., 1. A Grocer bought 53/4 C grosse weight of Wares, which lay him in … £163 13s. 8d.

699 1677.  Yarranton, Eng. Improv., 134. The Corn will lye the Mum-Brewers in Two Shillings Six-pence per Bushel.

700 1755.  Johnson, Lie 21, To cost; as, it lies me in more money.

701   c.  Naut. (See quot.)

702 1867.  Smyth, Sailor’s Word-bk., Lie in! the order to come in from the yards when reefing, furling, or other duty is performed.

703   24.  Lie off. a. Naut. Of a ship or boat: To stand some distance away from the shore or from some other craft.

704 1596.  Shaks., 1 Hen. IV., III. i. 79. The remnant Northward, lying off from Trent.

705 1726.  G. Roberts, Four Years Voy., 26. As I lay off at an Anchor.

706 1867.  Smyth, Sailor’s Word-bk., Lie off! an order given to a boat to remain off on her oars till permission is given for her to come alongside.

707 1890.  Hall Caine, Bondman, I. ix. [The schooner] intending to lie off at Ramsey for contraband rum.

708   b.  To cease work temporarily; to take a rest.

709 1891.  R. Kipling, City Dreadf. Nt., 81. As soon as he makes a little money he lies off and spends it.

710 1899.  Nation (N. Y.), 21 Dec., 467/1. If McKinley would lie off for the next four years, he might make a very good free-trade candidate for the Presidency in 1904.

711   c.  Racing slang. ‘To make a waiting race’ (Farmer, Slang, 1896).

712   25.  Lie on. † a. To be laid on. Obs.

713 1641–2.  Shute, Sarah & Hagar (1649), 109. Upon the first laying on of the rod, it may be, we will stamp and chafe; but when it still lies on … we lie quiet, and then our spirit comes down.

714   b.  Of a vessel: To be bound for.

715 1850.  Tait’s Mag., XVII. 38/1. Not one [vessel] was, just then, ‘lying on’ for the Baltic way, the season being so late.

716   26.  Lie out. † a. To stretch out, extend. Obs.

717 1601.  Holland, Pliny, I. 54. Spaine and France … lying out with their promontories into two contrary seas. Ibid., 61. Corsica … lyeth out from the North into the South, and containeth in length an hundred and fiftie miles.

718   b.  † To rest or settle outside (obs.); to sleep out, now dial. of cattle, to be left unhoused at night. Obs.

719 1630.  J. Levett, Ord. Bees (1634), 34. Their Bees haue exceedingly lyen out upon the Hiue and board.

720 1712.  Arbuthnot, John Bull, III. i. The witnesses farther made oath, that the said Timothy lay out a-nights.

721 1886.  Elworthy, W. Somerset Word-bk., Lie in, Lie out, said of horses or cows. If they are kept housed at night, they are said to lie in, if not they lie out. Do your ’oss lie in or out?

722   c.  Sc. To delay; spec. to delay in entering upon property as heir.

723 1640–1.  Kirkcudbr. War-Comm. Min. Bk. (1855), 42. For his lying sae lang out in not subscryveing of the covenant.

724 1673–88.  Fountainhall, in M. P. Brown, Suppl. Decis. (1826), III. 146. A man is married on a woman, that is apparent heir to lands.—She, to defraud her husband either of the jus mariti or the courtesy, lies out and will not enter.

725 1868.  Act 31 & 32 Vict., c. 101 § 6. The rights and remedies competent to a superior against his vassal lying out unentered.

726   d.  To lie it out: to sleep on late into the morning. ? Obs.

727 1748.  Richardson, Clarissa (1811), V. 2. The dear creature was so frightened, and so fatigued, last night, no wonder she lies it out this morning.

728   e.  To lie out of one’s money: to remain unpaid. To lie out of one’s ground (Racing slang): see quot. 1896.

729 1860.  Geo. Eliot, Mill on Floss, I. viii. I. 151. I can’t lie out o’ my money any longer. You must raise it as quick as you can.

730 1892.  Daily Chron., 19 April, 9/2. How can zealous discharge of this duty be expected, when the officer … has to advance the cost of the summons, and lie out of his money for a year at a time, if not for ever?

731 1896.  Farmer, Slang, To lie out of one’s ground = to ‘lie off’ too long, so as to be unable to recover lost ground.

732   27.  Lie over. a. To be held over or deferred to a future occasion.

733 1856.  Mrs. Carlyle, Lett., II. 294. I have a strange story to tell you … but that must lie over, or I shall miss the omnibus.

734   b.  ‘To remain unpaid after the time when payment is due’ (Craig, 1848).

735   c.  Naut. (See quot.)

736 1867.  Smyth, Sailor’s Word-bk., Lie over, a ship heeling to it with the wind abeam.

737   28.  Lie to. a. Naut. Of a ship: To come almost to a standstill, with her head as near the wind as possible, by backing or shortening sail.

738 1711.  Littleton, Lett., 13 Aug., in Lond. Gaz., No. 4906/3. The largest of them lay too a long time.

739 1748.  Anson’s Voy., I. viii. 79. Another storm … reduced us to the necessity of lying to under our bare poles.

740 1760–72.  H. Brooke, Fool of Qual. (1809), III. 81. We shortened sail, and lay to till morning.

741 1800.  Asiatic. Ann. Reg., Chron., 117/2. It blew a strong gale … on which Lieut. Roper handed all his sails, except the mizen, which he balanced, and lay to.

742 1883.  Stevenson, Treas. Isl. (1886), 212. Take a turn round the capstan, and lie-to for the tide.

743   b.  Sc. To come to be fond of a person.

744 1768.  Ross, Helenore, 79. I do like him sair, An’ that he wad ly too [ed. 1789, p. 85 like me], I hae nae fear.

745   29.  Lie up. † a. To be laid out for burial.

746 1553.  Becon, Reliques of Rome (1563), 253. Vilanye and synne yt weren vsed & done about dead bodyes ligging vp & yet is vsed about in many places, or the body be borne to church.

747   b.  To go into or remain in retirement or retreat; to take to one’s bed or keep one’s room as an invalid; (of a ship) to go into dock.

748 1699.  Dampier, Voy., II. III. 24. There they [ships] must lye up, or be 3 or 4 Years in their return from a place which may be sailed in 6 Weeks.

749 1850.  Dickens, in Househ. Words, 9 Nov., 162/2 (Cent.). He has a bad cold—rheumatism—he must lie up for a day or two.

750 1881.  Greener, Gun, 595. The black bear lies up during the day in caves and amongst rocks.

751 1893.  R. Kipling, Many Invent., 26. When there’s nothing going on, there is nothing going on, and you lie up.

752 1897.  Allbutt’s Syst. Med., II. 443. Some days the patient may feel comparatively well and fit for work, on other days he is languid and lies up.

753   c.  To lie up in lavender: to be in safe keeping or custody. (Cf. LAVENDER sb.2 2.)

754 1822.  Scott, Nigel, xxv. Alas! the good gentleman lies up in lavender … himself.

755   d.  To lay or shape one’s course.

756 1779.  Forrest, Voy. N. Guinea, 169. The land wind veered to the northward, and we lay up no better than west.

757 1868.  Atkinson, Cleveland Gloss., Lig up to, to proceed towards, to lay or shape one’s course to, a given place.

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