L
L, Rom. number 50 (L or l). (el).
'laager, n. CAMP, sp., inside circle of carts.
('la:gə).
'label, v.t., n. (Get) ticket giving name,
details etc. fixed to (thing). ('leibl).
labial, a., n. Of the lips; like a lip; [Lang.]
(letter) formed with the lips. (leibjəl).
laboratory, n. Place where tests are done
in science work, sp. chemistry.
(lə'bɔrətəri).
labour, 1. n. Work; workers (opp. owners)
as a group; pains of giving birth. Labour of
love, work done more for pleasure than
payment; Labour Party, political group representative
of workers' interests. 2. v.i.&t.
Do hard work, sp. with hands; make great
attempts (to); have trouble in moving,
breathing. Labour the point, make overmuch
of; labour under a delusion, have a false idea.
'laboured, a. (Of writing, talk) not smooth or
natural; (of breathing, motion) done with
trouble. 'labourer, n. Sp., man doing hard,
rough work needing little training. la'borious
(lə'bɔ:riəs), a. Hard-working;
needing hard work; laboured. ('leibə).
la'burnum, n. Tree with banging masses
of yellow flowers. (lə'bə:nəm).
'labyrinth, n. Complex network of ways,
roads etc. (labərinθ).
lac, n. Red sticky substance from certain
trees, used for colouring. (lak).
lac, lakh, n. (In India) 100,000 (sp. lac of
rupees). (lak).
lace, 1. n. Cord put through small holes
in shoes etc. for pulling edges together;
delicate open-work material made with
thread. Gold
(silver) lace, gold
(silver) BRAID
put on military
coats etc. 2. v.t.&i.
Make tight
by pulling lace
(freq. lace up);
make ornamented with (line of colour
etc.); put (cord) through holes; get (milk
etc.) mixed with (alcohol). (leis).
'lacerate, v.t. Make rough cuts in (skin
etc.), give deep wound to (feelings).
('lasəreit).
lachrymal, a. Of TEARS (sp. lachrymal gland).
'lachrymose ('lakrimous), a. (Given to)
crying. (lakriməl).
lack, 1. v.t. Not have enough of, be without.
Be lacking, sp., be needed, not
present. 2. n. Need, being without.
'lacklustre, a. (Of eyes) not bright. (lak).
lacka'daisical, a. With air of being tired,
not interested, having delicate tastes.
(lakə'deizikl).
'lackey, n. Manservant; one with air of
servant. ('laki).
la'conic, a. Using, said in, a small number
of words. (lə'kɔnik).
'lacquer, 1. n. Sorts of clear substance
used to give hard, bright coat to
metal, paint etc. 2. v.t. Put lacquer on. ('lakə).
la'crosse, n. Ball-sport for 2 sides of 12
players using curved sticks with nets on.
(lə'krɔs).
lac'tation, n. Producing of milk by female
animal. 'lacteal, 'lactic, aa. Of milk.
(lak'teiʃən).
la'cuna, n. Hole, space between, sp., place
in writing, argument etc. where connection
is broken. (lə'kju:nə).
lad(die), n. Boy, young man. ('lad(i)).
ladder, n. Step-structure formed of 2 uprights
with rods across, for getting up walls
etc.; ladder-like hole in stocking etc. ('ladə).
lade (laded, laden), v.t. LOAD (ship). Laden
with, sp., weighted down with. (leid).
'ladle, n., v.t. Deep spoon with long hand-part,
used for liquids. ('leidl).
'lady, n. Woman of good birth; woman
(used as mark of respect); TITLE of
woman married to KNIGHT, LORD etc.,
daughter of DUKE etc. (Lady). Lady in waiting,
lady waiting on a Queen; Our Lady, Mary,
Mother of Christ. 'ladybird, n. Small red-brown
insect marked with black. 'lady-day,
n. March 25th. 'lady-killer, n. Man who
does his best to have an attraction for
women. 'ladyship, n. Her (your) Ladyship, form
used in talking of (to) one with TITLE
of Lady. ('leidi).
lag, 1. v.i. Go over-slowly, more slowly
than another (freq. lag behind). 2. n.
Amount by which thing is slower, later.
'laggard, n. Slow person. (lag).
lag, [Com.] n. One who has been in prison.
lager, n. Sort of not very strong beer.
('la:gə).
la'goon, n. Stretch of salt water parted
from sea by sand etc. (lə'gu:n).
laid. See LAY.
lain. See LIE.
lair, n. Animal's resting-place, hole. (leə).
laird, n. Scot. landowner. (leəd).
'laissez-'faire, [F.] n. (System of) letting
things, sp. trade, go on without control
by government etc. ('leisei'feə).
lake, n. Deep red colouring-material
(freq. crimson lake). (leik).
lake, n. Great stretch of inland water.
'lama, n. (In Tibet) PRIEST of Buddha's
religion; LLAMA. ('la:mə).
lamb, 1. n. Young sheep; its meat; young,
feeble, or dear person. 2. v.i.&t. (Of
sheep) give birth (to). (lam).
'lambent, a. Softly bright; (of flame, light)
moving over face of thing. ('lambənt).
lame, a. With damaged leg or foot, not
walking normally; (of argument etc.)
poor, feeble. (leim).
la'ment, 1. n. Outburst in words of sad
feeling, regret; song, verse, lamenting,
sp. one dead. 2. v.i.&t. Give voice to
lament (about); have regrets about. 'lamentable
('laməntəbl), a. Rightly to be
regretted. (lə'ment).
'laminate, v.t.&i. Get (metal) rolled etc.,
be broken, into thin plates; make
covered with metal plates. ('lamineit).
lamp, n. Apparatus for giving light, sp.
one burning oil. 'lampblack, n. Black powder
formed by oil flame, used for colouring.
'lamp-lighter, n. Man lighting street lamps.
'lamp-post, n. Support for street lamp.
(lamp).
lam'poon, 1. n. Bitter attack in writing
making sport of person. 2. v.t. Make
lampoon against. (lam'pu:n).
'lamprey, n. Snake-like sea-animal.
('lampri).
lance, n. Horseman's instrument of war
formed of long rod with pointed steel
head. lance-corporal, n. Man with lowest
NON-COMMISSIONED position of authority
in army. 'lancer, n. Military horseman armed
with lance. 'lancers, n. pl. Sort of dance for
8 persons. (la:ns).
lance, [Med.] v.t. Make hole or cut in with
lancet. 'lancet, [Med.] n. Pointed, 2-edged
knife.
land, 1. n. Solid part of earth's face, opp.
sea; country, nation, or part of earth;
earth, sp. as used for farming, planting
etc. 2 v.i.&t. Go, put, on land from sea
or air; come to rest, get, (on, in etc.). 'landed,
a. Being an owner of land. 'landing, n. Sp.,
part of floor by top of, between 2 groups
of, steps. 'landing-stage, n. Stage on which
one lands from ship. landlady, n. Female
landlord. 'land-locked, a. Almost, quite,
shut in by land. 'landlord, n. Keeper of
hotel etc.; owner whose house, land, is
(to be) let. 'land-lubber, n. Sailor's word
for one unused to the sea. 'landmark, n.
Anything marking limits of stretch of
land; building etc., sp. readily seen from
a distance, special to a place; event
marking stage or turning-point. 'landscape,
n. (Picture of, art of painting) stretch of
country seen from some point. 'landslide, n.
Great fall of earth from mountain-side
etc. (land).
'landau, n. 4-wheeled carriage with folding
roof in 2 parts. ('landɔ:).
lane, n. Narrow street or road; way between
lines of persons. (lein).
'language, n. Words and their use; a
nation's language; words special to some field;
person's, sp. writer's, use of words;
signs used as language. Bad, strong, language, sp.,
violent, dirty, shocking words.
(laŋgwidʒ).
'languid, a. Without force, interest, slow.
'languish, v.i. Be, become, languid;
become ill, unhappy (sp. under certain
conditions, from desire for). 'languishing,
a. Sp., putting on air of languishing for love.
'languor, n. Being languid. ('laŋgwid).
lank, a. Lanky; (of hair etc.) hanging
straight and flat. 'lanky, a. Over-tall and
thin. (laŋk).
'lanolin, n. Fat from sheep-wool used to
make skin soft and smooth. ('lanoulin).
lantern, n. Glass etc. cover round light for
outdoor use; glass-sided structure on
roof. Lantern jaws, long, thin, lower part of
face. ('lanten).
'lanyard, n. (On ships) short cord on thing
for moving it by or keeping it in place;
cord round neck etc. for sp. whistle.
('lanjəd).
lap, n. Front part of legs from knees to
body when person is seated. 'lap-dog, n.
Small dog. (lap).
lap, 1. v.t.&i. Get (cloth etc.) folded
(round), (person, thing) folded (in); put
(one edge, part) covering (over another);
be so lapped (over). 2. n. Amount by
which thing laps over; one turn of thread
etc. round roll etc.; one time round the
field in running competition.
lap, 1. v.t.&i. Be drinking with the tongue,
as cat does; (of waves) be moving on,
against, with lapping sound. 2. n. Sound
of water lapping.
la'pel, n. Folded-back front part of coat
collar. (lə'pel).
'lapidary, 1. a. Cut on stone. 2. n. One
cutting, making designs on, jewel stones.
('lapidəri).
'lapis 'lazuli, n (Colour of) a bright blue
stone. ('lapis 'lazjulai).
lapse, 1. n. Small error (in talk, behaviour);
(of right etc.) a lapsing;
going by (of time). 2. v.i. Not keep up,
let oneself go from, condition, position
(freq. lapse into worse, lower, one); (of right
etc.) come to an end through not being
used etc. (laps).
'lapsus 'linguae, [L.] Small error in
talking. ('lapsəs 'liŋgwai).
lapwing, n. PEEWIT. ('lapwiŋ).
'larboard, n., a. Left side of ship, now
gen. PORT. ('la:bəd).
larceny, [Law.] n. The crime of THEFT.
('la:səni).
larch, n. Evergreen tree with light green
leaves. (la:tʃ).
lard, 1. n. Pig fat in form for use in cooking.
2. v.t. Put lard on; put thin bits of BACON
into (meat) before cooking; INTERLARD.
(la:d).
'larder, n. Store-room, cupboard, for food.
(la:də).
large, a. Of great size; of wide range.
At large, free, not in prison; the world etc.
at large, persons generally. 'largely, adv. Sp., to
a great degree, chiefly. (la:dʒ).
'largesse, [Old.] n. Money etc. handed out
to all at happy time, event. ('la:dʒes).
'largo, [It.] n., adv. (Bit of music) in slow
time. ('la:gou).
'lariat, n. Long cord to keep horse from
running away. ('lariət).
lark, n. Sorts of small song-bird, sp. SKYLARK.
(la:k).
lark, n., v.i. Bit of play, sport, causing
amusement.
'larkspur, n. Plant with tall heads of blue
flowers. (la:kspə:).
'larva (larvae), n. Insect in first stage of
development after coming out of egg.
(la:və).
'larynx, n. Part of throat in which voice-cords
are. la'ryngeal, a. laryn'gitis, n.
A disease of the larynx. ('lariŋks).
'lascar, n. Sailor from E. Indies. ('laskə).
las'civious, a. Over-full of sex desire,
dirty-minded. (lə'siviəs).
lash, 1. v.i.&t. Give blows (to), make
violent motions, with whip, tail etc.;
be driving (on etc.) (as) with whip; make
use of angry, bitter, words against; get
tightly fixed with cord (together, to etc.).
Lash oneself into, get oneself worked up to
(violent feeling); lash out, give sudden
blow or kick; have angry outburst. 2. n.
Cord or leather part of whip; blow
given with whip; EYE-LASH. (laʃ).
lass, n. Girl. (las).
'lassitude, n. Being tired, with no desire
to do anything. ('lasitju:d).
las'so, n., v.t. Cord with slipping knot for
sending over heads of animals from a
distance. (lə'su:).
last, 1. a. After all others, coming at the
end; latest, nearest to present time; least
important; least probable. 2. adv. On the
last time before now; at the end, after all
others. 3. n. Last or latest one; last-named
thing; end. At last, after a long time;
breathe, look etc. one's last, take one's last
breath, look etc. 'lastly, adv. (In list etc.)
in the last place. (la:st).
last, n. Form for making shoes on.
last, v.i. Go on, keep in existence; be
enough for (certain time). 'lasting, a.
Going on for a long time, for ever.
latch, v.t., n. Apparatus with bit of metal
which may be moved up and down, for
keeping door etc. shut; spring lock for
door. 'latchkey, n. Key for outside door of
house. (latʃ).
'latchet, [Old.] n. Shoe cord. ('latʃit).
late, 1. a. Far on in day, year, development
etc.; after the right time; now
dead; who or which is no longer so,
was lately. Of late years, in the years not
long past. 2. adv. At, to, a late hour, stage;
after the right time. Later on, at a later
time. 3. n. Only of late, lately. 'lately, adv.
A short time back. 'latest ('leitist), a., n.
Sp., (of) the newest sort. (leit).
la'teen, a. Only lateen sail, 3-sided one at angle
of 45° to MAST. (lə'ti:n).
latent, a. Present but not acting or seen.
('leitnt).
lateral, a. Of, at, from, to, the side(s).
('laterəl).
latex, n. Milk-like liquid got from plants,
sp. rubber tree. ('leiteks).
lath, n. Thin, narrow bit of wood, sp. as
used in room walls. (la:θ).
lathe, n. Sorts of machine for getting wood,
metal etc. into desired form by turning
it against blade. (leið).
lather, v.i.&t., n. (Make, make covered
with) soft white mass formed by rubbing
soap in water; lather-like liquid forming on
horse when it gets over-heated. ('la:ðə).
'Latin, 1. n. Language of old Rome. 2. a.
Of Latin; of persons of old Rome; of languages
based on Latin; of nations of S.
Europe. ('latin).
'latitude, n. (Degree of) being free from
conditions keeping one from acting,
having opinions, freely; distance of
place N. or S. of EQUATOR, measured by
angle. Latitudes, parts of the earth in relation to
their distance from EQUATOR. 'latitudi'narian,
n., a. (One) supporting right to
free opinions on points of religion, sp.,
inside Christian Church. ('latitju:d).
la'trine, n. Place for putting out waste
material from body, sp. in CAMP etc.
(lə'tri:n).
'latter, a. Near the end of a time; not long
past. The latter, (a.&pron.) the last-named
of 2. 'latterly, adv. In the near past. ('latə).
'lattice, n., a. Structure of narrow bits of
wood going across one another with
spaces between. Lattice window, one having
small DIAMONDS of glass in lead framework.
('latis).
laud, v.t. PRAISE. 'laudable, a. Rightly to be
lauded. 'laudatory, a. (lɔ:d).
'laudanum, n. Liquid OPIUM. ('lɔdnəm).
laugh, v.i.&t., n. (Make) the sounds
normally caused by amusement; say
with a laugh. Have the laugh of, get the better
of in the end; laugh at, sp., make sport of,
have no respect for; laugh in one's sleeve,
be feeling secret amusement. 'laughable, a.
Causing laughing. 'laughing-gas, n. Gas
used to make persons unconscious for
short operations. 'laughing-stock, n. Thing,
person, made sport of by all. 'laughter, n.
Laughing. (la:f).
launch, n. Boat of greatest size on warship;
boat with engine. (lɔ:ntʃ).
launch, v.t.&i. Send (stone, blow etc.);
get (person, undertaking) started; send
(ship) onto water. Launch out into, get started
on (new way of living etc.).
'launder, v.t. Get (clothing) washed.
'laundress, n. Woman who launders.
'laundry, n. Laundering place, business.
('lɔ:ndə).
'laureate, a. With LAUREL circle on head
as sign of respect. Poet laureate, one given
position by King to make verses about
important events etc. ('lɔ:riət).
'laurel, n. Sorts of evergreen with bright
leaves. Laurels, sp., a great name in art,
letters, war etc. ('lɔrəl).
'lava, n. Material sent out as liquid by
VOLCANO, becoming solid when cold.
('la:və).
'lavatory, n. Room for washing hands and
face; WATER-CLOSET. ('lavətəri).
lave, [Old] v.t. Get (body etc.) washed.
(leiv).
'lavender, n. Plant with small, red-blue,
sweet-smelling flowers; colour of lavender
flowers. ('lavində).
'lavish, 1. a. Giving, producing, freely;
more than enough. 2. v.t. Give in great
amount, freely. ('laviʃ).
law, n. A rule fixed by authority, in force
in a society; system of laws; the science
of law; law experts as a body; (statement of)
some regular order of natural events.
'law-abiding, a. Keeping the laws. 'lawful,
a. Not against the law. 'lawless, a. Sp., not
keeping the law. 'lawsuit, n. Attempt to
get one's rights from someone by law
process. 'lawyer, a. Person (getting his
living as) expert in law. (lɔ:).
lawn, n. Stretch of grass kept cut and
smooth. Lawn tennis, form of sport for 2 or
4 players in which ball is sent over net
with RACQUETS (gen. tennis). 'lawn-mower,
n. Machine for cutting grass. (Iɔm).
lax, a. Not taking care, not giving attention
to rules etc. (laks).
'laxative, n., a. (Substance) causing waste
material to be sent out of body readily.
('laksətiv).
lay. See LIE.
lay (laid), v.t. Put down, resting (on, in
etc.); put (weight on), (facts before), etc.;
(of birds) get (egg) produced. Laid up, sp.,
ill, unable to get about; lay about one, give
blows in all directions; lay a ghost, make it
go away; lay bare, make clear, make open
to view; lay by, put on one side for future
use; lay by the heels, make a prisoner; lay
cheek etc. open, get it cut open; lay
(it) down that, (of authority) make decision
that; lay down the law, make decision,
give opinion, as if with authority;
lay hands on, make attack on with the
hands; lay hold on, of, take grip of; lay in,
get in as store; lay it on thick, sp., overdo
words of approval etc.; lay low, overcome;
lay money, BET; lay one's hands on, sp., get,
make discovery of; lay oneself out (to), take
trouble (to); lay out, get (dead body) ready
for putting to rest; make use of (money)
for some purpose; put out on view; [Com.]
overcome or make unconscious; lay the
table, cloth, put things ready for a meal;
lay trap, get it ready; lay waste, make waste.
'lay-out, n. General design. (lei (leid)).
lay, a. Not (of) a PRIEST; of the general
public, outside some group of experts.
'laity ('leiiti), n. The laity, laymen. 'layman,
n. Lay person.
lay, [Let.] n. Song, verses.
'layer, n. Stretch of material covering
something, or forming one level division
of thing's structure. ('leə).
la'yette, n. Clothing etc. for new baby.
(lei'et).
'lay 'figure, n. Wood etc. form of person,
with arms, legs, which may be put in
different positions, used by painters.
('lei 'figə).
'lazar, [Old] n. Poor, diseased person, sp.
LEPER. lazar'et(to), n. LEPER hospital. ('lazə).
'lazy, a. Without industry, doing little
work; making lazy. laze, v.i. Do nothing.
'lazy-bones, n. Lazy person. ('leizi).
lea, [Let.] n. Stretch of grass-land. (li:).
lead, 1. n. Soft grey metal of great weight;
bit of lead on line for measuring how deep
water is; stick of GRAPHITE in pencil;
bit of metal used to make space between
lines of print wider. Leads bit of flat roof
covered with lead. 2. v.t. Make covered,
weighted, spaced, with lead. 'leaden, a. Of
lead; as if of lead in colour, weight etc.
'leadsman, n. Sailor who sends the lead
into water. (led).
lead (led), 1. v.t.&i. Take (person, animal)
in some direction by guiding, pulling;
have control, direction, of; go or be first;
have (existence of certain sort); (of
road etc.) go (to). Be led to believe, be
caused, given reason, to; lead (person) a
dance, give him hard time, sp. in coming
after one; lead (person) a life, give him a
troubled one; lead to, sp., (of act, event)
have (certain) outcome. 2. n. Leader's
position; guiding act, example; (player
of) chief part in stage play; leather cord
etc. for leading dog; wire taking electric
current; right of playing first at cards.
'leader, n. Sp., chief; leading article.
'leading, a. Sp., chief, most important. Leading
article, one giving views of newspaper on
some question; leading case, [Law] decision
taken as guide for later decisions on like
questions; leading lady (man), female (male)
lead in play; leading question, one so put as
to make suggestion of answer desired.
(li:d (led)).
leaf (leaves), n. Any of parts of plant, gen.
green, produced on sides of stem or
branch or from root; thing flat and thin
like leaf, sp., bit of paper whose sides make
2 pages of book; part of table-top which
may be put up or down, or in and out.
In leaf, (of trees) with leaves on; take a leaf
out of person's book, do as he has done;
turn over a new leaf, make a new start.
'leafage, n. Leaves of tree(s). 'leaflet, n.
Printed paper, folded or not, giving facts
etc. for distribution. (li:f (li:vz)).
league, n. Measure of road distance, gen.
about 3 miles. (li:g).
league, 1. n. Agreement between persons,
nations, groups, to give one another help.
League of Nations, that formed in 1919 for
purpose of keeping peace between all
nations. 2. v.t.&i. Get joined in league.
leak, 1. n. Hole, crack, way, through which
liquid etc. may wrongly get in or out.
2. v.i. Have leak in it, letting liquid etc. leak;
come through L Leak out, sp., (of secret)
come to light. 'leakage, n. Leaking; what
leaks out or in. (li:k).
leal, [Scot. Let.], a. LOYAL. (lid).
lean, 1. a. (Of persons, animals, meat)
without much fat. Lean years, time when
there is little food, money etc. 2. n. Lean
part of meat. (li:n).
lean (leaned or leant), v.i.&t. Be, put,
in sloping position, supported (against);
have tendency (to view etc.). Lean against,
make or be supported against; lean upon,
sp., be dependent on for help etc. 'leaning,
n. Sp., tendency of mind, feeling. lean-to,
n. Building with roof resting against
side of another. (li:n (lent)).
leap (leapt or leaped), n., v.i.&t. Jump.
By leapt or leaped and bounds, (moving) very quickly.
'leap-frog, n. Sport in which players leap
with parted legs over bent backs of
others. 'leap-year, n. Year in which February
has 29 days. (li:p (lept)).
learn (learnt), v.t.&i. Get knowledge of,
become expert in; get news, knowledge,
(that). 'learned ('lə:nid), a. Full of knowledge.
Learned profession, one needing much
learning. 'learning, n. Sp., knowledge got from reading.
(lə:n).
lease, 1. n. Agreement by which owner of
land or house lets it to another for certain
time for fixed payment. New lease of
life, chance of living longer, more
happily. 2. v.t. Let, take, by lease. 'leasehold,
n. Use of, property taken, by lease. (li:s).
leash, 1. n. Dog's LEAD. Hold in leash, keep
under control. 2. v.t. Put leash on; hold in leash.
(li:ʃ).
least, 1. a., n. Smallest (amount, degree).
2. adv. In the least. In the least, in the least degree.
(li:st).
'leather, 1. n., a. Material made by putting
skins of animals through certain processes;
bit of leather for polishing. 2. [Com.]
v.t. Give a whipping to. ('leðə).
leave (left), v.t.&i. Go away from, not
take away, let be (where it is); not get
used up; not do or give attention to; give
(property) at one's death (to); give
(directions etc.) when going away. Leave go
of, give up one's grip of; leave off, give up
(doing something, taking place); leave out,
not put in; leave (thing, person) alone, sp.,
not be touching, troubling; leave unsaid etc.,
not say etc.; left over, over, not used.
'leavings, n. pl. What is left as waste.
(li:v (left)).
leave, n. Authority given to do, go etc.; leave
to be away from work for a time; such
time. By your leave, if you will let me; take
French leave, go away without leave; take leave of,
say words of parting to.
'leaven, 1. n. Substance put into bread-paste
to make it undergo expansion;
quality etc. mixed with, slowly changing,
something. 2. v.t. Give, be, (as) leaven to.
('levn).
leaves. See LEAF.
'lecherous, a. Having, giving way to, over-great
sex desire. 'lechery, n. ('letʃərəs).
'lectem, n. Sloping reading-table used in
Church, sp. for BIBLE. ('lektən).
'lecture, v.i.&t., n. (Give) talk to (group)
for purpose of teaching; (have) talk with
(person) protesting against his behaviour.
'lectureship, n. Position as lecturer at
university etc. ('lektʃə).
led. See LEAD.
ledge, n. Narrow shelf coming out from
wall, side of mountain etc. (ledʒ).
'ledger, n. Book in which the accounts of
a business with different persons etc. are
recorded separately. 'ledger-line, [Mus.] n.
Short line put over or under normal
STAVE in printed music to give position of
note(s) outside it. ('ledʒə).
lee, n. Cover against wind given by side of
something; side away from wind. 'leeway,
n. Sideways moving of ship to leeward;
a little space, amount etc., over what
might be needed. Make up leeway, get out of
bad position. 'leeward (gen. 'lju:əd), a.,
adv., n. (On, to, of) the side, direction,
away from the wind. (li:).
leech, n. Small blood-drinking water-worm,
sometimes used medically; [Old]
medical man. (li:tʃ).
leek, n. Plant with long, strong-tasting
bulb, used as food. (li:k).
leer, v.i., n. (Give) unpleasing look (at),
freq. of sex desire. (liə).
left. See LEAVE.
left, a., adv., n. (Of, in, on, in the direction
of) side of body in which the heart normally
is, opp. right. The Left, political
group(s) desiring change, chiefly representative
of workers. left-handed, a.
Using the left hand more than the right.
Left compliment, words seeming to give
approval but doing the opposite. (left).
leg, n. Any of the parts of animal's or
person's body used for walking etc., sp.
without foot; leg-like support of table etc.;
part of trousers covering leg. Give (get)
a leg up, give (get) help in getting on; not
have a leg to stand on, be unable to give
any good reason for opinion etc.; on its
last legs, near its end. 'legging, n. Covering
of leather etc. for lower part of leg.
'leggy, a. With long legs. (leg).
legacy, n. Money etc. given by owner at
his death; thing handed on by earlier
user etc. lega'tee, n. Person getting
legacy. ('legəsi).
'legal, a. Of, based on, in agreement with,
law. Legal tender, money which creditor
has, by law, to take in payment. ('li:gl).
'legate, n. Representative of POPE in a
country. ('legit).
le'gation, n. (Building used by) person
acting as representative of his government
in another country, together with
those under him; position of such
representative. (li'geiʃən).
le'gato, [Mus.] adv. Smoothly. (li'ga:tou).
'legend, n. Old story handed down as
history; INSCRIPTION. 'legendary, a. Noted,
having existence only, in legend.
('ledʒənd).
'legerde'main, n. Expert use of the
hands in doing card etc. tricks; tricking
by false argument. ('ledʒədə'mein).
leg'horn, n., a. (Hat of) sort of material
made of thin, dry stems twisted over
and under one another; sort of fowl.
(leg'ɔ:n).
'legible, a. (Of handwriting, print) clear
to the eye. ('ledʒibl).
'legion, n. Division of 3000-6000 men in
old Rom. army; very great number.
Foreign legion, body of men from other
countries forming part of army. Legion of
Honour, F. order given as mark of
respect. 'legionary, n., a. (One) of (foreign)
legion. ('li:dʒən).
'legislate, v.i. Make laws. legis'lation,
n. Sp. laws made. 'legislature, n. Law-making
body. ('ledgisleit).
le'gitimate, a. In agreement with the
law; right, regular; being the offspring
of persons married to one another. le'gitimate
(li'dsitimeit), le'gitim(at)ize,
vv.t. Make legitimate. (li'dʒitimit).
le'guminous, a. (Of plants) having seeds
in PODS. (li'gju:minəs).
'leisure, n. Time free from work. At leisure,
not working; taking a long time, slowly;
at one's leisure, when one has time. 'leisured, a.
Having much leisure. 'leisurely, a., adv.
(Acting, done) at
leisure. ('leʒə).
'lemming, n. Small
rat-like animal
living in far N.
('lemiŋ).
'lemon, n. (Tree
having) light
yellow, acid fruit;
colour of this.
lemon'ade, n. Drink
made from
lemons. ('lemən).
'lemur, n. Small night animal like a
monkey. ('li:mə).
lend (lent), v.t. Let (person) have use of
(thing) on condition that it, or some
equal thing, is given back; give (some
quality, effect) for a time. Lend a hand,
give help; lend an ear, give attention (to
what is said); lend itself to, be right, good,
for (some purpose); lend oneself to, give one's
support to. (lend).
length, n. Measure of how long a thing is;
stretch (of time); bit of cloth etc. of
certain fixed length. At full length, sp., with the body
stretched out flat; at length, sp., after a long
time; go to all lengths, take any steps necessary;
keep at arm's length, sp., be cold
in behaviour to. 'lengthen, v.t.&i. Make,
become, longer. 'lengthwise, 'lengthways, advs.
In the direction of the length. 'lengthy, a.
(Of talk, writing, process etc.) very long,
over-long. (leŋθ).
'lenient, a. Kind, not hard, sp. in punishment.
'leniency, 'lenity ('leniti), nn.
('limiənt).
lens, n. Bit of glass (-like substance) with
2 faces, at least one of which is curved,
for making light-rays come to or go from
a point, or changing the angle of them.
(lenz).
lent. See LEND.
Lent, n. (In Christian Church) 40 days
before EASTER, kept as time of regret
for wrongdoing. 'Lenten, a. Of, in, right for,
Lent. (lent).
'lentil, n. Sort of LEGUMINOUS plant; lentil seed,
used for food. ('lentil).
'leonine, a. LION-like. ('liənain).
'leopard, n. Great animal of cat family
with yellow coat having round dark
marks on it, living on meat. ('lepəd).
'leper, n. One with leprosy. 'leprosy, n.
Disease of the skin, slowly biting into
body like acid. 'leprous, a. ('lepə).
'leprechaun, n. Sort of Irish FAIRY.
('leprikɔ:n).
'lesion, n. Wound; [Med.] damaging
change in behaviour or substance of
part of body. ('li:ʒən).
less, 1. a., adv. Smaller; not so much;
in, to, a lower degree. 2. n. A smaller
amount, number. 3. prep. With (certain
amount, thing) taken away. 'lesser, a.
Not as great, important, as another or
others. (les).
les'see, n. One to whom a building etc. is
let by LEASE. les'sor, n. One letting a
building etc. by LEASE. (le'si:).
lesson, n. Thing which a learner has to
get knowledge of; teaching given at one
time; experience etc. having effect of
teaching, example; a reading from the
BIBLE given in Church. ('lesn).
lest, conj. For fear that. (lest).
let, 1. v.t. Not keep (person, thing) from
(doing etc.) (let do); make it possible for
(person, thing) to (do etc.); let go (in, out
etc.); give use of (sp. building) for payment.
Let alone, (v.t.) not be touching,
troubling; (prep.) not taking into account;
let down, sp., make (dress etc.)
longer by undoing stitching; not give
looked-for support to (person); let fly (at),
send (stone etc.) (at); say angry words
(to); let go of, give up one's grip of; let in,
sp., put (material) into space in material;
let loose, free, make free, unchained;
let off, make (gun etc.) go off; let (person)
go free from punishment; let oneself go,
give up controlling oneself; let oneself
(another) in for, get mixed up in, make
responsible for; let out, sp., let for payment;
make (clothing) looser by undoing
stitching. 2. v.aux. Used in giving order
or making suggestion (let us go, let it be
done). (let).
let, [Old] 1. v.t. Get in the way of, keep
from motion. 2. n. (Thing) letting,
stopping.
'lethal, a. (Designed for) causing death.
Lethal chamber, one for putting animals to
death without pain. ('li:θəl).
'lethargy, n. Being tired, taking no interest.
le'thargic (le'θa:dʒik), a. ('leθədʒi).
'letter, 1. n. Any of the signs, representative
of sounds, of which words in writing
are formed; account of events, request
etc. in writing, sent by one person to another.
Letters, (knowledge about, the writing
of) books, verse; keep the letter of the law, an
agreement, be acting in agreement with
what it says without taking into account
its true purpose. 2. v.t. Put lettering,
letters, on. 'letter-box, n. Box for posting
letters in. 'lettered, a. Sp., having wide
knowledge of books. 'lettering, n. Sp., the
letters, words, put on book-cover etc.
'letterpress, n. The words in a book etc.
which has pictures. ('letə).
'lettuce, n. Plant with head of light green
leaves used uncooked for food. ('letəs).
'leucocyte, n. [Sc.] Small white body in
the blood. ('lju:kousait).
le'vant, v.i. Go away suddenly without
making payment of one's debts. (li'vant).
'levee, n. Special meeting with King or his
representative for men only. ('levi).
'level, 1. n. Line or plane parallel with
sky-line; instrument for giving or testing
this; position as high or low; degree,
measure, of a quality etc.; position in
society. Find one's own level, get into one's
right position in relation to others; on
the level, [Com.] open, straightforward; the
level, flat country. 2. a. Parallel with skyline;
on same level with; flat, smooth. Level
crossing, place where railway goes across
a road on same level; one's level best, the most,
best, one is able to do. 3. v.t. Make level,
equal in position; RAZE; put down or up
to certain level; be pointing (gun etc. at).
'level-headed, a. Well-balanced, judging
wisely. 'leveller, n. Sp., one desiring to give
all persons equal position in society.
('levl).
'lever, 1. n. Rod or other such structure
moving at one point against a fixed
support, so that force acting at certain
point is
turned into
opp. force
at another
point, and
may be used
for pushing,
lifting; rod etc. used for forcing open or
up. 2. v.t. Be lifting, moving, acting on,
with lever. 'leverage, n. Working of, power given
by, a lever. ('li:və).
'leveret, n. Young HARE. ('levərit).
le'viathan, n. [Fict.] Great sea-animal;
anything of greatsize, power. (li'vaiəθən).
'levitate, v.t.&i. Make, be, lifted into the
air (seemingly) without physical force.
('leviteit).
'levity, n. Not being serious enough, acting
without enough respect for serious
thing. ('leviti).
'levy, 1. v.t. Put on, be forcing payment of
(tax etc.); get together (army). Levy war,
go to war. 2. n. Levying; amount or
number levied. ('levi).
lewd, a. LASCIVIOUS, dirty. (lu:d).
'Lewis 'gun, n. Sort of MACHINE GUN.
('lu:is 'gʌn).
'lexicon, n. DICTIONARY, sp. of Gk. or
Hebrew words. lexi'cographer, n.
Maker of DICTIONARY. ('leksikən).
'Leyden 'jar, [Sc.] n. Sort of electric
CONDENSER. ('leidn 'dʒa:).
'liable, a. Responsible in law (for, to); with
a tendency to (do or undergo something
not desired). lia'bility, n. Sp., what one
is liable for. Liabilitys, debts or other money liabilitys.
('laiəbl).
li'aison, n. Sex relation between man and
woman not married to one another;
[Mil.] connection, touch. Liaison officer, one
acting as go-between for armies of 2
nations fighting on same side. (li'eizən).
'liar. See LIE.
li'bation, n. (Giving of) drink-offering to
a GOD. (lai'beiʃən).
'libel, v.t., n. [Law] (Make) statement in
print or writing about (person) damaging
to his good name; (say, do) anything giving
falsely poor idea of (person). ('laibl).
'liberal, 1. a. Giving freely; giving, marked
by, having, wide views, outlook; (of
amount) more than enough. 2. n. One
of the Liberal Party. Liberal Party, Eng. political
group supporting equal rights for all
and against wide government control.
('libərəl).
'liberate, v.t. Make free, let out. ('libəreit).
libertine, n. Man who is given to pleasures
of sex, loose living. ('libəti:n).
'liberty, n. Condition of being free, right
or power to do what one has a desire to.
At liberty to, free to; take libertys with, be acting
without right respect for. ('libəti).
li'bidinous, a. LASCIVIOUS. (li'bidinəs).
'library, n. Room, building, in which
books are kept for reading; the books in
a library, of a person etc. Circulating library,
organization letting out books for payment.
li'brarian, n. Person in control of
a library. ('laibrəri).
li'bretto, n. Book of words of opera or
play with music. (li'bretou).
lice. See LOUSE.
'licence, 1. n. Right to do something,
given by authority; statement in writing
giving this; acting without respect
for law, rules; being licentious. Poetic
licence, writer's etc. overstepping of rules of
language, reasoning, for verse etc. effect.
'license, v.t. Give license to (person) or
for (doing of thing). Licensed premises,
hotel, restaurant etc. whose owner has a
license for trading in alcohol. li'centiate
(lai'senʃiit), n. One who has statement
from university etc. that he is expert in
some branch of knowledge. li'centious,
a. Loose-living. ('laisəns).
'lichen, n. Sorts of small plant without
flowers, covering stones, tree-stems etc.
('laikən).
'lich-gate, n. LYCH-GATE. ('litʃgeit).
lick, 1. v.t.&i. Put tongue over (something);
take (up, off etc.) by licking; (of
waves, flame etc.) be moving softly over;
[Com.] give a whipping to; [Com.] get the
better of. Lick into shape, give training to,
make as desired; lick one's lips, sp., give
signs of looking forward to, sp food;
lick the dust, be completely overcome. 2. n.
A licking with the tongue. At a great lick,
[Hum.] at a great rate. 'licking, n. Sp.,
[Com.] a whipping; act of being overcome.
(lik).
'licorice, n. LIQUORICE. ('likəris).
lid, n. Cover for opening, sp. for top of
vessel, box etc.; EYELID. (lid).
lie, v.i., n. (Make) consciously false statement;
(of things) give false idea. Give the
lie to, make clear or say strongly that
(person) is lying, (thing) is false. 'liar, n.
One (given to) lying. 'lying, a., n. (lai).
lie (lay, lain), 1. v.i. Have or get the body
stretched out, parallel with earth, supported,
resting, (on something); be (in
some position, condition) (lie hidden etc.);
(of place etc.) be, be stretching; [Law] (of
process) be of sort which may rightly
come before judge. Lie down, get into lying
position; lie in, be in bed while giving
birth; lie low, sp., keep quiet, not get
attention turned on one; lie up, be ill
in bed; (of ships) be not in use; take it
lying down, take punishment, trouble
etc. without protesting or fighting. 2. n.
Way, position, in which thing lies. The lie
of the land, sp., the general position of
things. (lai (lei, lein)).
lief, adv. Only I etc. would, had, as lief (do
this) as (do that), I would as (more)
readily (do this) as (than) (do that). (li:f).
liege, 1. n. Liege lord or liegeman. 2. a.
Only liege lord, (in FEUDAL times) ruler or
landowner with men under his authority.
'liegeman, n. One under a liege lord. (li:dʒ).
'lien, n. Right to keep another's property
till payment has been made of debt in
connection with it. ('li:ən).
lieu, n. Only in lieu of, in place of. (lju:).
lieu'tenant, n. Person acting for another
of higher position; man in second from
lowest position with COMMISSION in army,
and third from lowest in sea force.
lieutenant-, Highest in position under.
lieu'tenant-colonel, lieu'tenant-commander, lieu'tenant-general.
(lef'tenənt).
life, n. Condition of being living; time between
birth and death; time for which a
thing has working value; living things
as a body; condition, way, of living;
account in writing of person's life; quality
giving driving-force, interest, making
things bright. Life Guards, 2 horse
REGIMENTS in Brit. Army. 'life-belt, n.
Structure of cork etc. put round body to
keep person up in water. 'life-boat, n.
Boat for going to help of those in danger
in, on, sea. 'lifebuoy, n. Ring etc. for
keeping person up in water (see BUOY).
'lifelong, a. For all one's life. 'life-preser-ver,
n. Short stick with weighted head.
(laif).
lift, 1. v.t.&i. Take up to higher level; (of
mist etc.) become less thick, go away;
[Com.] STEAL. Not lift a finger to, not make
the smallest attempt to; lift up one's voice,
give a cry. 2. n. A lifting; apparatus for
taking persons, things, up and down from
floor to floor. Give person a lift, sp., take
him in cart, automobile etc. on the way
one is going. (lift).
'ligament, n. Band of strong, elastic
material keeping bones together in body.
('ligəmənt).
'ligature, 1. n. Band. cord etc. for joining
something, putting tightly round,
sp., cut blood-vessel etc. 2. v.t. Put ligature
round; get joined with ligature. ('ligətʃuə).
light, 1. n. That which makes things able
to be seen; anything from which light
comes; bit of burning substance, sp.
match, for putting fire to anything;
bright quality; new knowledge making
something clearer. 2. a. Having much light,
opp. dark; (of colour) not deep. 3. v.t.&i.
Get (fire etc.) burning; become
lighted, burning; give light to; make, become,
bright (freq. light up). 'lighten, v.t.&i.
Make, become light(er); give out lightning.
'lighthouse, 'lightship, nn. Building,
ship, with light for guiding ships at sea.
'lightning, n. Bright light produced in sky
by natural electric force, gen. with
thunder. Lightning conductor, metal rod on
house etc. making electric connection
with earth and so keeping safe from
damage by lightning. (lait).
light, a. Of little weight, sp., for its size;
not strongly made to take great weights;
delicate in form or motion; without
great force; (of work, punishment) not
hard; not serious, deep, important; (of
bread etc.) having enough air in it; (of
food) readily undergoing digestion;
(of sleep) readily broken. 'lighten, v.t.&i.
Make, become, lighter. light-fingered, a.
Expert at taking money etc. from
pockets of others. light-headed, a.
DELIRIOUS. light-hearted, a. Happy, free
from care. 'light-weight, n. BOXER of a
little greater weight than
FEATHERWEIGHT.
'lighter, n. Boat for taking goods between
ship and land. ('laitə).
lights, n. pl. Breathing-parts of pig, sheep
etc. as food. (laits).
'ligneous, a. Like wood; (of plants) having
wood. ('ligniəs).
'lignite, n. Brown coal still having structure
of wood. ('lignait).
like, 1. a. Of the same sort, form, having
the same quality, as; like another or
one another. Like anything (adv.), [Hum.] very
much, very hard; like mad, violently;
nothing like as good etc., very far from being
as good. 2. prep., adv. In the same way,
to the same degree, as. Feel like doing, have
a desire to do; it looks like rain(ing) etc.,
there are signs that there is going to be
rain. 'likelihood, n. Degree to which an
event is probable. 'likely, a. Probable; seeming
good, right for the purpose. 'liken, v.t.
Be pointing out the likeness of (one
thing to another). 'likeness, n. Being like;
picture of person, sp. as being like him.
'likewise, 1. adv. In the same way. 2.
conj. In addition, further. (laik).
like, 1. v.t. Be pleased with, give approval
to; take pleasure in (doing). 2. n. Likes,
things one likes. 'likable, a. Pleasing,
causing liking. 'liking, n. Sp., a liking for,
a taste for; to one's liking, to one's taste.
'lilac, n., a. Tall tree-like plant with white or
blue-red flowers; light blue-red. ('lailək).
lilt, 1. v.t.&i. Give (song) with strongly
marked rhythm. 2. n. (Song with) such
rhythm. (lilt).
'lily, n. Sorts of bulb plant having great,
freq. white, flowers. 'lily-livered, a. With
tendency to fear. ('lili).
limb, n. Arm, leg, or wing; great branch of
tree. (lim).
'limber, 1. n. Front part of gun-carriage
which may be taken off. 2. v.t. Get limber
joined to (gun). ('limbə).
'limber, a. (Of person, muscles etc.) freely
moving, not stiff.
'limbo, n. [Fict.] Place where those who
have not had chance to become Christians
are said to go to after death; condition
of being put out of memory of
men. ('limbou).
lime, 1. n. White substance got by burning
sorts of stone, used in making MORTAR.
Qwick lime, in dry form; slaked lime, chemically
united with water. 2. v.t. Put BIRD-LIMB
on (trees); give dressing of lime to (land).
'limelight, n. Very bright light produced by
heating lime in certain sort of gas flame.
In the limelight, sp., getting public attention.
'limestone, n. Stone with much lime in it.
(laim).
lime, n. Acid fruit like small LEMON.
lime, n. Sort of tree with heart-formed
leaves.
'limerick, n. Verse of 5 lines used for purposes
of humour. ('limərik).
'limit, 1. n. Line, point, marking end of
thing, edge; greatest or least amount,
degree, possible or in question. It's the limit,
[Com.] as much as, more than, one will
put up with. 2. v.t. Put limits to; be the limit
of. 'limited, a. Sp., (of amount) not great;
(of views etc.) narrow. Limited company, trading
company formed of persons every
one of whom is responsible only for certain
part of its debts. limit'ation, n. Sp.,
limiting condition. One's limitations, qualities
one is poor in, without. ('limit).
limn, [Old] v.t. Make (a picture); make a
picture of. (lim).
'limousine, n. Automobile with shut-in
body and roof over driver's seat.
('liməzi:n).
limp, a. Not stiff or elastic, readily bent;
tired, feeling feeble. (limp).
limp, n., v.i. Walk (as) of one with damaged
leg or foot.
'limpet, n. Sea MOLLUSC getting itself
tightly fixed onto stones. ('limpit).
'limpid, a. (Of liquid, eyes etc.) very
clear. ('limpid).
'linchpin, n. Pin keeping wheel fixed to
AXLE. ('lintʃpin).
'linden, n. LIME tree. ('lindən).
line, 1. n. Thread, cord, wire, for special pur-pose
(fishing-line, telephone line etc. etc.);
thread-like mark, sp. on paper; [Math.]
limiting edge of plane, form having one
DIMENSION only; limit; outline; number
of persons or things placed in line-like form,
sp., military; such line of print or writing
across page; division of a verse, gen.
forming line on page; note, short letter;
family (tree); line(s) of metal on which
train etc. goes; railway or other transport
system, company; direction taken by
person's acts or purposes; (in trade) any
special branch of trade, sort of goods.
The Line, sp. EQUATOR; in line with, sp., in
agreement with; line of battle, men, ships,
in fighting order. 2. v.t.&i. Get marked
with lines; get lined up at side of. Line up, get
placed in line(s). 'lineage, ('liniidʒ). n. Lineal
connection, family line. 'lineal ('liniəl), a.
Straight from father to son in the family
tree. 'linear ('liniə), a. Of or in lines; [Math.]
to be measured in one direction of space
only. 'liner ('lainə), n. Transport ship
making regular journeys. 'linesman, n.
(In sports) man watching to see if ball
goes over line. (lain).
line, v.t. Put, be, covering material on inside
of (box, bag, clothing etc.). 'lining,
n. Sp., material which lines.
'lineament, n. Special quality, outline, detail,
sp. of face (gen. pl.). ('liniəmənt).
'linen, n., a. (Cloth) made of FLAX; clothing,
table cloths etc. made of linen. (linin).
ling, n. Sorts of HEATHER. (liŋ).
ling, n. Sea-fish used, gen. salted, for food.
'linger, v.i. Be slow to go; be waiting,
keeping, about, round. 'linging, a. (Of
disease etc.) going on for a long time.
('liŋgə).
'lingerie, [F.] n. Women's underclothing.
('lanʒəri:).
'lingo, n. Language, way of talking, which
is strange to one, of which one has poor
opinion. ('liŋgou).
'lingua 'franca, n. Language, sp. a mixed
one, in use between persons of 2 or more
different nations. ('liŋgwə 'fraŋkə).
'lingual, a. Of, made with, the tongue; of
language. ('lingwəl).
'linguist, n. One expert in languages.
lin'guistic, a. Of language or linguistics. lin'guistics,
n. The science of language.
('liŋgwist).
'liniment, [Med.] n. Liquid for rubbing
body when stiff etc. ('lilimənt).
link, 1. n. One ring of a chain; part, thing,
person, forming connection; 2 linked
buttons for arm of shirt; measure,
1/100 of CHAIN. 2 v.t.&i. Get joined
(together, to, with), sp., like 2 links, make
connection between; get, be, linked (onto).
(link).
link, [Hist.] n. Light made of readily-burning
material at end of a stick.
links, n, GOLF-COURSE. (links).
'linnet, n. Small song-bird. ('linit).
li'noleum, n. Canvas coated with powdered
cork mixed with oil, for covering
floors. (li'nouliəm).
'linotype, n. Machine producing complete
lines of words on bits of metal for printing.
('lainoutaip).
'linseed, n. Seed of FLAX, from which oil
is produced. ('linsi:d).
lint, n. Linen etc. material made wool-like
on one side
for covering
wounds.
(lint).
'lintel, n. Long
bit of wood or
stone across
top of door or
window.
('lintl).
'lion, n. Great
yellow-brown
animal of cat
family, living
on other
animals. Lion's
share, greatest
part. 'lionize, v.t. Make much of (person)
as being noted. ('laiən).
lip, n. One or other of the edges of the
opening into the mouth; edge of vessel
etc., lip-like part; [Com.] talk without
respect. 'lip-service, n. Words of respect,
approval etc. unsupported by feelings,
acts. 'lipstick, n. Stick of colouring-substance
for making lips red. (lip).
li'queur, n. Sorts of alcohol drink taken in
small amounts after a meal. (li'kjuə).
'liquid, 1. n. Any substance, such as
water, which is not solid or a gas. 2. a.
In the form of a liquid; clear, bright, like
water; (of sounds) clear, soft, not
rough; not fixed in form. Liquid
assets, property which may be readily changed
into money. lique'faction, n. 'liquefy,
v.t.&i. Make, become, a liquid.
li'quescent (li'kwesənt), a. Becoming,
with tendency to become, liquid. ('likwid).
'liquidate, v.t. Make payment of (debt);
put an end to (company etc.) by making
division of its property among
creditors. liqui'dation, n. Sp. go into liquidation,
sp, become BANKRUPT. ('likwideit).
'liquor, n. Alcohol drink; liquid used or
produced in cooking etc. ('likə).
'liquorice, n. (Plant with root giving)
black substance used medically and as
a sweet. ('likəris).
'lira (lire), n. Unit, bit, of It. money.
('liərə ('liəri)).
'lisle ('thread), n. Thin hard-twisted
cotton thread. ('lail ('θred)).
lisp, 1. v.i.&t. Say th in place of s, z, in
talking; say lispingly. 2. n. A lisping
way of talking. (lisp).
'lissom, a. (Of body) not stiff, moving
readily, beautifully. ('lisəm).
list, [Old] v.t. Have a desire, be pleased
(to do). (list).
list, 1. n. Number of names of persons,
things etc. put down in writing. 2. v.t.
Put on a list, make a list of.
list, v.i., n. (Of ship, wall etc.) (have) slope
over to one side through weight, earth,
moving.
list, [Old] v.i.&t. LISTEN, LISTEN to.
list, n. SELVEDGE.
'listen, v.i. Make attempt at, be, hearing
something; give attention, give way, (to
request, suggestion). Listen in, be listening
to radio; be listening to talk between
others on telephone. ('lisn).
'listless, a. Without interest in, desire to
do, anything, tired. ('listlis).
lists, [Hist.] n. pl. Shut-in space for fights
between armed men on horseback. (lists).
lit. See LIGHT.
'litany, n. Form of PRAYERS in Church of
England in which PRIEST and public
take part in turn. ('litəni).
'literal, a. Of the letters or a letter; (of
copy of writing, etc.) copying, giving,
every word; taking words in their
straightforward sense. ('litərəl).
'literary, a. Of, to do with, literature.
'literature ('litritʃə), n. (Producing of)
books, verses, sp., sort valued as art;
the writings of some country or time, or
on some question. ('litərəri).
'literate, n., a. (Person) having knowledge
of reading and writing. 'literacy, n.
('literit).
lithe, a. (Of body) not stiff, readily
moving, twisting. (laið).
'lithograph, 1. n. Print made from picture
by special process on stone or metal.
2. v.t. Make lithograph from. ('liθougra:f).
'litigate, v.i.&t. Go to law about some
question. li'tigious (li'tidʒəs), a. Taking
pleasure in litigating. ('litigeit).
'litmus, n. Blue colouring-substance
turned red by acids and made blue
again by ALKALIS. 'litmus-paper, n. Paper
coloured with litmus for testing chemicais.
('litməs).
'litre, n. Unit of measure for liquids in
METRIC system, about 1 3/4 pints. ('li:tə).
'litter, n. Sort of bed for transport used
in old times as carriage; sort of stretcher. ('litə).
'litter, 1. n. The young given birth by
animal at one time. 2. v.i. (Of animals)
give birth to young.
'litter, 1. n. Mass of bits, papers, out of
order; bedding for animals. 2. v.t.
Put litter about (place); put litter down for
(animal).
'little, 1. a. Small in size or amount;
young; unimportant. A little (food, trouble
etc.), a small amount of; little finger, that
farthest from thumb. 2. adv. To a
small degree, not much. 3. n. (Only) a
small amount. After (for) a little, after (for)
a short time; little by little, by degrees. 'little-go,
n. Test letting person into Cambridge University.
('litl).
'littoral, n., a. (Part of a country which is)
near the sea. ('litərəl).
'liturgy, n. The fixed forms of PRAYER
etc. used in a Church. ('litədʒi).
live, 1. v.i.&t. Have existence as plant or
animal, not be dead; have (one's or certain
sort of existence); get full pleasure
etc. from existence; make one's living-place
(in, at); get what is needed for
living (from) (live on); be kept in memory,
go on having effect. Live down, so live as to
take away memory, effects, of (wrongdoing).
2. (laiv), a. Living; full of force.
Live coal, burning coal; live shell etc., one
which has not gone off; live wire, one with
electric current going through it.
'livelihood ('laivlihud), n. Money etc.
needed for living. 'livelong, [Let.] a. Only
the livelong day etc., all through the long day etc.
'lively, a. Full of force, bright, interesting.
'liven, v.t.&i. Make, become, more lively
(freq. liven up). 'livestock, n. Animals kept
for use or profit. 'living ('liviŋ), 1. a.
Sp., (of picture, copy) like in every
detail. 2. n. Sp., livelihood; BENEFICE.
Living wage, one great enough to live on.
'living-room, n. One for general use.
(liv).
'liver, n. Part of the body producing
BILE and keeping blood free from
poisons. 'liverish, a. With liver in bad
condition. ('livə).
'livery, n. Special dress of person's servants;
the housing and care of horses for
payment. Livery stable, place where horses
are kept for owners or let out for payment.
('livəri).
'livid, a. Of blue-grey colour like lead,
sp. through fear,
angry feeling.
('livid).
'lizard, n. Sorts of
cold-blooded, 4-legged,
long-tailed
animal.
('lizəd).
'llama, n. S. Am.
animal with long thick hair, used for
transport. ('la:mə).
lo, [Old] int. See! Lo and behold, used as
sign that one is about to say something
surprising. (lou).
load, 1. n. What is (to be) lifted, transported;
amount which cart etc. is able
to take; weight of care, trouble etc.
Loads of, [Com.] more than enough, a
great amount, of. 2. v.t. Put load on; put
(goods) on; put firing-material in (gun)
ready for firing. Loaded stick, one with
lead in head. (loud).
'loadstone, n. LODESTONE. ('loudstoun).
loaf (loaves), n. Mass of bread cooked as
separate bit. Loaf sugar, sugar in form of
CONE or cut into small squares.
(louf (louvz)).
loaf, v.i. Be wasting time, waiting about
without purpose.
loam, n. Fertile sort of earth with much
dead leaf material in it; earth paste
used for brick-making etc. (loum).
loan, 1. n. Money or things of which use
is given for a time, with
or without interest; the giving or getting of a loan 2.
v.t. Give as loan. (loun).
lo(a)th, a. Unready, not desiring (to do
etc.). (louθ).
loathe, v.t. Have feeling of hate, disgust,
for. 'loathsome, a. Disgusting. (louð).
loaves. See LOAF.
lob, v.t.&i., n. (Sp. in CRICKET, TENNIS)
send (ball) high. (lɔb).
'lobby, n. Small room or space by front
door etc., CORRIDOR; (in HOUSE OF COMMONS
etc.) room open to public. 'lobbying, n.
Going among persons of law-making
body attempting to get support for
something. ('lɔbi).
lobe, n. Lower, soft, hanging part of ear;
part of like form. (loub).
'lobster, n. Long-tailed
sea-animal
with 10
legs and hard
outer cover,
turning red
when cooked;
its meat as
food. ('lɔbstə).
'local, a. Of,
special to, some
place; not
general in distribution.
lo'cality,
n. Thing's position; place where
some event takes place, some part of a
town, country. 'localize, v.t. Make localize, not
general. lo'cate, v.t. Make discovery of,
give, position of; get placed (somewhere).
('loukl).
loch, n. Scot. stretch of inland water or
land-locked arm of sea. (lɔk).
lock, n. Group of hairs hanging together.
Locks, the hair. (lɔk).
lock, 1. n. Apparatus worked with key for
keeping door etc. from being got open;
apparatus by which hand-gun is fired;
part of river etc. which may be shut off
from rest and water let in or out, for
purpose of getting boats from one level to
another; apparatus for keeping machine-part
from moving, condition of being
fixed tight, unable to be moved. Lock, stock,
and barrel, all of a thing, completely. 2.
v.t.&i. Make shut, fixed, with lock and
key; keep (in, out) by locking door etc.;
make, become, fixed, unable to be
moved. Lock up, get doors of (building etc.)
locked; put in locked room etc. 'locker, n.
Sp., small cupboard with lock. 'locket, n.
Small box for picture, bit of hair, etc.,
as ornament for neck, watch-chain.
'lockjaw, n. Disease in which muscles of JAW
become suddenly fixed. 'lock-out, n. Keeping
of workmen out of work-place as way
of forcing agreement. 'locksmith, n. Maker
of locks for doors etc. 'lock-up, n. Room
etc. used as prison.
loco'motion, n. (Power of) self-motion
from place to place. 'locomotive, 1. a.
2. n. Locomotive engine, sp. railway engine.
(loukə'mouʃn).
'locum 'tenens, [L.] Person acting for
PRIEST, medical man etc. while he is
away. ('loukəm 'ti:nenz).
'locus (loci), n. Place, position, of something;
[Math.] curve etc. made by all the
points in agreement with certain conditions
or by motion of a point, line, or
plane. ('loukəs (lousai)).
'locust, n. Winged insect, moving in great
masses, causing complete destruction of
plants etc. ('loukəst).
lo'cution, n. Way of using words; word-group,
form of words. (lə'kju:ʃən).
lode, n. Natural line of metal in stone.
'lodestar, n. POLE-star; guiding idea etc.
'lodestone, n. Sort of OXIDE of iron with
power of attraction. (loud).
lodge, 1. n. Small house for gardener etc.
by way into garden of great house;
porter's room at doorway. 2. v.t.&i.
Give house-room to; be living (at, in,
with) sp., as lodger; put (in place, with
person) for safe-keeping; make (protest,
statement) to authorities; put, get, fixed
(in some place, position). 'lodger, n. Sp.,
person living in another's house for payment.
'lodging, n. Sp., place where one
lodges, sp., as lodger (freq. lodgings). Lodging house,
house letting rooms. (lɔdʒ).
loft, n. Room, storing space, at top of
house etc. under roof. (lɔft).
'lofty, a. Very high; (of thoughts, feelings,
behaviour etc.) good, uplifted. ('lɔfti).
log, n. The stem of a cut-down tree; bit
cut off this for firewood. 'logrolling, n.,
a. Giving support to others to get support
from them. 'logwood, n. Am. tree
from which colouring-substance is got.
(lɔg).
log, n. Apparatus for measuring ship's rate
of motion. 'log-book, n. Book in which
record is kept day by day of ship's rate
of motion and events taking place.
'loganberry, n. Sort of berry produced
from blackberry and RASPBERRY.
('lougənberi).
'log(arithm), [Math.] n. Any one of a
special system of numbers which makes
it possible for questions to be worked out
by the addition and taking away of
numbers in place of by MULTIPLICATION
and division. ('lɔg(əriθəm)).
'loggerhead, n. At loggerheads, not in agreement
(with), against one another. ('lɔgəhed).
'loggia, [It.] n. Room, part of house, with
one side open to air. ('lɔdʒə).
'logic, n. (Book, system, of) science of
reasoning; (person's etc.) way of reasoning.
'logical, a. Sp., in agreement with laws
of logical; with power of reasoning rightly.
('lɔdʒik).
loin, n. (In pl.) lower part of back of body;
cut of meat formed of one half of this cut
down backbone. (lɔin).
'loiter, v.i. Be slow, make frequent stops
on the way; be waiting about. ('lɔitə).
loll, v.i. Be in resting position, with the
body loose; (of the tongue) be hanging
out. (lɔl).
'lollipop, n. Sweet. ('lɔlipɔp).
lone, [Let.] a. By oneself, without company;
without any persons about. 'lonely, a.
Lone; desiring company. 'lonesome, a.
Having or causing lonely feeling. (loun).
long, 1. a. Having a certain measure from
end to end in space or time; measuring
much from end to end; having great
range; taking a long time. A long face, a sad
look; in the long run, in the end, taking
everything into account. 2. n. A long
time. Before long, before a long time has gone
by; the long and the short of it, the outcome,
point, of it all. 3. adv. For, by, a long time.
As, so, long as, sp., if, on condition that.
'long-bow, n. One pulled by hand, sending
long feathered ARROW. Draw the long, make
overstatements, make up false stories.
'longcloth, n. Sort of strong, cotton cloth.
'longdrawn-'out, a. Taking unnecessarily
long. long'evity (lɔn'dʒeviti), n. Living for a
long time. 'longhand, n. Normal sort of
writing, opp. shorthand. 'longshoreman,
n. One who makes a living by fishing or
working by the sea. long-suffering, a.
Putting up with much without protest.
long-winded ('lɔŋ'windid), a. (Of talk or
writing) over-long. (lɔŋ).
long, v.i. Have a very great desire (for).
'longing, n. Strong desire.
'longitude, n. Distance of a place E. or W.
from MERIDIAN, sp. of Greenwich,
measured by angle. longi'tudinal, a.
Sp., of or in measure from end to end, not
across. ('lɔndʒitju:d).
'loofah, n. Inner part of seed-vessel of
a sort of plant made dry and used for
rubbing body in washing. ('lu:fə).
look, 1. v.i.&t. Make use of power of seeing;
have, get, the eyes turned in certain
direction or the direction (of), to see or
give sign of feeling (look at); be facing or
turned in some direction; have air of
being, seem to be. Look after, sp., give care
to; look down on, sp., have a low opinion of;
look for, make attempts to see or make discovery
of; look forward to, be hoping,
waiting, with pleasure for; look in on, sp., go
to see for short time; look on, be watching,
not taking part; look on as, have opinion
that (thing, person) is; look out! sp., take
care!; look sharp! sp., be quick!; look to, sp.,
take care about, give attention to; look up,
sp., get better; make discovery of by
turning over pages; go to see (person). 2.
n. (An) act of looking; way of looking;
what a thing is like to the eye. Looks, what
a person's face, form, is like. 'looking-glass,
n. Plate of glass with quicksilver on back,
in which one may see oneself. 'look-out,
n. (Person, place for)
keeping watch. A
poor etc. look, a poor
etc. chance, outlook;
that is his look, that is
for him to take care
about, etc. (luk).
loom, n. Cloth-making
machine. (lu:m).
loom, v.i. Come into
view, not clearly, freq. seeming greater
than natural size.
loon, [Scot.] n. Foolish good-for-nothing.
(lu:n).
loon, n. Sorts of water-bird.
'loony, [Hum.] n. Short for LUNATIC. ('lu:ni).
loop, 1. n. Form produced by curve going
across itself; part of cord etc. in this
form, sp. fixed by knot. 2. v.t.&i.
Make, be, in form of loop(s); keep up, back
etc. in form of or by loop(s). Loop the loop, (of airplane)
make loop in air, turning upside
down. 'loop-hole, n. Narrow hole in wall;
a small chance of getting out of some
trouble, round some rule etc. (lu:p).
loose, 1. a. Free from grip etc., not fixed;
not stiff or tight; not tightly massed together;
(of argument etc.) not well put
together, with poor connections; (of talk,
behaviour) low, bad, uncontrolled. At a loose
end, having nothing to do. 2. v.t. Make
loose. free. 'loosen, v.t. Make loosen, less tight.
(lu:s).
loot, 1. v.t.&i. Take (goods, property)
from (place) by force, sp. in time of war.
2. n. Property so taken. (lu:t).
lop, v.t. Get branches cut away from; get
(part) cut off. (lɔp).
lop, v.i. Be hanging loosely down. lop-ear,
n. Ear hanging down. lop-sided, a. With
one side lower etc., not equally balanced.
lope, v.i. Go with long, jumping steps.
(loup).
lo'quacious, a. Given to much talking.
lo'quacity (lou'kwasiti), n. (lou'kweiʃəs).
lord, 1. n. One in ruling position,
position of authority over some thing or person;
PEER; name given in talking to, of,
BARON. The (Our) Lord, GOD, Christ; the Lords,
body of PEERS etc. forming one of 2 divisions
of Eng. PARLIAMENT. 2. v.i. Lord it over,
be acting like a lord to. 'lordling, n. Unimportant
person of TITLE. 'lordly, a. As of,
right for, a lord. 'lordship, n. Rule, authority,
over. His (Your) Lordship, form used in
talking of (to) a lord. (lɔ:d).
lore, n. [Old] Learning; body of knowledge,
beliefs, handed down about something.
(lɔ:).
lorg'nette, n. Eye-glasses with long hand-part.
(lɔ:n'jet).
lorn, [Let.] a. Without friends, by oneself
and sad. (lɔ:n).
'lorry, n. Long, low automobile or 4-wheeled
cart for transport. ('lɔri).
lose (lost), v.t.&i. Have taken from one,
have go from one, not keep; be unable
to come across (thing etc. which one
had); be worse off in (money) by or on
some bit of business; be overcome in
(fight, competition). Lose one's temper, get
angry; lose one's train, not get; lose one's way,
be uncertain where one is, which way to
take; lose no time (in doing), do (a thing)
straight away. loss, n. Losing; what is
lost; damage, trouble, caused by losing.
At a loss, uncertain what to do. lost, a.
Sp., having lost one's way; (of ship) gone
down. (lu:z (lɔst)).
lot, n. Lots, a lot (of), a great number,
amount, (of); the lot, all. (lɔt).
lot, n. One of number of bits of paper, etc.
used in making selection, decision, by
chance (cast, draw, lots); (system of)
selection, decision, by chance; one's
part in, way of, existence, what comes
to one; thing, or parcel of things, put up
for AUCTION; bit of land, sp., for building.
A bad lot, [Com.] person who is bad.
'lottery, n. System by which money is
given for tickets, and those with tickets
of certain numbers, made selection of by
lot, get reward of money.
'lotion, n. Liquid for putting on wound,
making skin soft, etc. ('louʃən).
'lotus, n. [Fict.] Plant which, when taken
as food, puts person into happy, half-sleeping
condition; sorts of water-plant
in E. 'lotus-eater, n. One who takes pleasure
in doing nothing. ('loutəs).
loud, a. (Of sound) such as to have strong
effect on ears; (of dress, colour, behaviour
etc.) forcing itself over-much
on the attention. loud-speaker, n. (In
radio) apparatus for turning electric
waves into sounds loud enough for
hearing in a room. (laud).
lough, n. Irish stretch of inland water or
arm of sea. (lɔk).
lounge, 1. v.i. Be seated etc. in position of
comfort, doing nothing. 2. n. A lounging;
room with cushioned seats for resting in.
Lounge lizard, man caring for nothing but
dancing with women and such pleasures;
lounge suit, man's normal European day
clothing in town. (laund3).
'lour, v.i. Have or give dark, angry look.
('lauə).
louse (lice), n. Sorts of small insect living
on bodies of animals or men. 'lousy
('lauzi), a. Sp., [Com.] bad, of poor
quality. (laus (lais)).
lout, n. Man of rough, unpolished behaviour.
(laut).
love, 1. n. Warm, kind feeling, feeling of
attraction; this joined with sex desire;
feeling of desire for, pleasure in,
something; person for whom one has love
and desire. In love (with), with love and
desire (for). 2. v.t. Have love for. Love to do
etc., take great pleasure in doing. 'lovable,
a. Having qualities causing love.
'love-bird, n. Sort of small PARROT.
'love-lock, n. Waving bit of hair coming
over top of face. 'lovelorn, a. Unhappy because
one is not loved by person one
loves. 'lovely, a. Beautiful; pleasing.
'love-philtre, n. Drink said to have effect
of causing love. 'lover, n. Sp., one, gen. man,
who is in love. 'love-sick, a. Ill through
love for someone. 'loving-cup, n. Wine-cup
handed from one person to another
so that everyone may take a drink from
it. (lʌv).
love, n. (In TENNIS) no points.
low, n., v.i. Sound made by cows. (lou).
low, 1. a. Opp. high in size, position,
degree, quality, sound; (of person's condition)
feeble; (of language etc.) dirty; (of
person etc.) common or bad. In low spirits,
feeling unhappy; Low Church, group in
Church of England giving little attention
to forms; Lower House, house of
representatives of general public in
law-making body. 2. adv. Opp. high.
'lowbrow, n. One without much interest in,
knowledge of, things of the mind, art.
'lowdown, 1. a. (Of person etc.) low. 2. n.
The lowdown, [Hum.] the secret, inside facts
about something. 'lower, v.t. Make lower;
let down. 'Lowlands, n. pl. Sp., low, S.E.
part of Scotland. 'lowly, a. Poor, simple,
without high opinion of oneself.
'lower, v.i. LOUR. ('lauə).
'loyal, a. True to a cause, one's friends,
one's ruler. 'loyalty, n. ('lɔiəl).
'lozenge, n. 4-sided form with opp. sides
equal and parallel and no right angles,
DIAMOND; small sweet, sp., one having in it
medical substance for throat. ('lɔzindʒ).
'lubricate, v.t. Put oil into (machine-parts),
make readily slipping. 'lubricant,
n. Lubricating substance.
('lu:brikeit).
lu'cerne, n. Sort of plant used as food for
animals. (lu'sə:n).
'lucid, a. (Of mind etc.) clear; clearly put,
readily taken in by the mind. ('lu:sid).
'Lucifer, n. The morning star; SATAN.
('lu:sifə).
luck, n. (That which comes to a person by)
chance; the help of chance, good luck.
In (out of) !., having good (bad) luck.
'luckless, n. (Generally) having bad luck.
'lucky, a. Having, done by, producing, good
luck. (lʌk).
'lucrative, a. Giving good profit.
('lu:krətiv).
'lucre, n. Profit, money, sp. looked on as
low. ('lu:kə).
lucu'bration, n. Long, hard process of
thought, sp., at night. Lucubrations, writing
marked by learning, much thought.
(lu:kju'breiʃən).
'ludicrous, a. Foolish, causing laughing.
('lu:dikrəs).
luff, v.t.&i. Get head of (ship) turned in
direction nearer to that of wind. (lʌf).
lug, v.t. Be pulling, lifting, with much
force, trouble. (lʌg).
'luggage, n. Boxes, bags etc. taken on
journey. ('lʌgids).
'lugger, n. Small ship with 4-sided sails.
('lʌgə).
lu'gubrious, a. (Looking) very sad.
(lu:'gju:briəs).
'lukewarm, a. Not very warm but not
cold; not greatly moved, interested.
('lu:kwɔ:m).
lull, 1. v.t.&i. Make, become, quiet, at
rest; send to sleep. 2. n. Time of quiet or
rest between attacks of pain, wind etc.
'lullaby ('lʌləbai), n. Song for lulling babies
to sleep. (lʌl).
lum'bago, n. Disease causing pain in
lower part of back. (lʌm'beigou).
'lumbar, a. Of lower part of back.
('lʌmbə).
'lumber, 1. v.i.&t. Go as if weighted,
slowly, with noise (gen. along, by etc.);
take up space in, make it hard to get
about in (place). 2. n. Waste, unneeded
things, taking up space. ('lʌmbə).
'lumber, 1. n. Roughly cut wood. 2. v.i.
Get trees cut down and roughly cut up.
'luminary, n. Light-giving body, sp. sun
or moon; person noted for learning etc.
('lu:minəri).
'luminous, a. Giving light. lumi'nosity
(lu:mi'nɔsiti), n. ('lu:minəs).
lump, 1. n. Mass without regular form;
square bit of sugar; a SWELLING. A lump sum,
one amount covering a number of payments.
2. v.t. Be grouping together (in
thought); put roughly together in a mass.
Like it or lump it, be pleased or not, it has
to be. 'lumping, [Hum.] a. Of great weight
or amount. 'lumpish, a. Fat, formed, moving,
badly; slow, foolish. (lʌmp).
'lunar, a. Of, dependent on, the moon.
Lunar month, 4 weeks. ('lu:nə).
'lunatic, n., a. (One who is) of unbalanced
mind, off his head. 'lunacy, n. ('lu.'nətik).
lunch, v.i., n. (Take) small meal in middle
of day. 'luncheon, n. Lunch. (lʌntʃ).
lung, n. One or other of the 2 sponge-like
breathing-parts in animal body. (lʌŋ).
lunge, 1. n. Sudden forward push with
SWORD etc.; sudden forward move in
giving blow etc. 2. v.i.&t. Make lunge.
(with). (lʌndʒ).
lurch, 1. n. Sudden changing of weight to one
side or foot, roll. Leave (person) in the lurcn,
go from him when he is in trouble, needing
help. 2. v.i. Make a lurcn; go with lurcns. (lə:tʃ).
'lurcher, n. Sort of dog used for going after
birds and animals. ('lə:tʃə).
lure, 1. n. Apparatus used for getting back
trained HAWK; something used as attraction
for some purpose; attraction,
interest, of something. 2. v.t. Get (HAWK)
back with lure; get (person) to go (in some
direction), do etc. by offering lure. (ljuə).
'lurid, a. Strange and violent-looking; of
the colour of flames and smoke; (of
account etc.) full of shocking details,
violently pictured. ('ljuərid).
lurk, v.i. Keep out of view, in secret place,
ready to come out, make attack. (lə:k).
'luscious, a. Very sweet, pleasing, in taste
or smell; (of way of writing) over-ornamented.
('lʌʃəs).
lush, a. (Of grass etc.) thick in growth,
green, good. (lʌʃ).
lust, 1. n. Sex desire looked on as wrong;
violent, uncontrolled sex desire; violent
pleasure in, desire for, something. 2. v.i.
Have lust. (for). (lʌst).
'lustre, n. Quality of being polished, bright,
beautiful. ('lʌstə).
'lusty, a. Healthy and strong; full of force.
('lʌsti).
lute, n. Old-time instrument of music with
cords, somewhat like BANJO. (lu:t).
lu'xuriant, a. Strong in growth, great in
amount; (of way of writing) over-ornamented.
lu'xuriate, v.i. Take great
pleasure (in). (lʌg'zjuəriənt).
'luxury, n. The having of things pleasing
to the senses, great comfort, much
money; pleasing thing which may be
done without. lu'xurious (lug'zjuəriəs),
a. Loving luxury; giving comfort.
('lʌkʃəri).
'lych-gate, n. Roofed doorway into
CHURCHYARD. ('litʃgeit).
lye, n. Water put through powder from
burned wood or other ALKALI, used for
washing and soap-making. (lai).
'lying. See LIE.
lymph, n. Clear liquid in the body. lymph'atic,
a. Of or producing lymph; slow in
thought or acting, feeble. (limf).
lynch, v.t. Put to death for crime without
authority of law. Lynch law, the process by
which decision to lynch is taken. (lintʃ).
lynx, n. Short-tailed animal of cat family,
noted for its sharp eyes. (liŋks).
'lyre, n. Old-time instrument of music
made of U-formed frame with cords
going up and down. ('laiə).
'lyric, 1. a. Of, designed for, songs, lyrics.
2. n. Verses for a song; song-like, not
very long, verses into which writer puts
his feelings. 'lyrical, a. Sp., full of feeling,
using language like that of lyric. ('lirik).