Part 63

LAY, l[=a], _v.t._ to cause to lie down: to place or set down: to beat down: to spread on a surface: to conjoin: to spread the proper thing on: to calm: to appease: to wager: to bring forth: to impose: to charge: to present.--_v.i._ to produce eggs: to wager, bet:--_pr.p._ lay'ing; _pa.t._ and _pa.p._ laid.--_n._ situation: (_Shak._) a bet: a share of profit, esp. in whaling enterprises: (_slang_) a field or method of operations, esp. of thieves: a measure in thread manufacture, about 800 yards.--_ns._ LAY'ER, that which lays--e.g. a hen, a bricklayer: a bed or stratum: a shoot laid for propagation; LAY'ERING, the propagation of plants by layers; LAY'ING, the first coat of plaster: the act or time of laying eggs: the eggs laid; LAY'-OUT, that which is laid out, a spread, for dining, gaming, &c.; LAY'-STALL, a place for laying dung, rubbish, &c.--LAY ABOUT ONE, to deal blows vigorously or on all sides; LAY ASIDE, AWAY, to discard: to put apart for future use; LAY AT, to endeavour to strike; LAY BARE, to make bare, disclose; LAY BEFORE, to submit to, as of plans; LAY BY, to keep for future use, to dismiss, to put off; LAY BY THE HEELS (see HEEL); LAY DOWN, to give up: to deposit, as a pledge: to apply, as embroidery: to delineate, describe: to affirm, assert: (_rare_) to store for future use; LAY HEADS TOGETHER, to consult together, to deliberate; LAY HOLD OF, or ON, to seize, apprehend; LAY IN, to get in a supply of; LAY INTO, to chastise thoroughly; LAY IT ON, to charge exorbitantly, to do anything with profuseness; LAY OFF, to cast aside: to mark off; LAY ON, to apply with force, to strike, to act with vigour; LAY ONE'S SELF OUT TO, to put forth one's best efforts for anything; LAY ON LOAD (_Spens._), to belabour; LAY ON THE TABLE (see TABLE); LAY OPEN, to make bare, to show, expose; LAY OUT, to expand, to display: to expend, to plan, to exert: to dress in grave-clothes: to take measures, seek; LAY SIEGE TO, to besiege: to importune; LAY THE LAND, to cause the land to disappear below the horizon by sailing away from it; LAY TO, to apply with vigour: to bring a ship to rest; LAY TO HEART (see HEART); LAY UNDER, to subject to; LAY UP, to store up, preserve: to confine to one's bed or room for a time: to put a ship in dock after dismantling; LAY UPON, to wager upon; LAY WAIT, to lie in wait, or in ambush; LAY WASTE, to devastate, to destroy.--LAYING ON OF HANDS (see HAND).--LAID EMBROIDERY, gimped or raised embroidery.--ON A LAY, on shares, as when a crew is shipped 'on a lay' instead of receiving wages. [_Lay_ is the causal to _lie_, from A.S. _lecgan_; Ice. _leggja_, Ger. _legen_.]

LAY, l[=a], _n._ a song: a lyric or narrative poem. [O. Fr. _lai_, from Celt.; cf. Gael. _laoidh_, a hymn.]

LAY, l[=a], LAIC, -AL, l[=a]'ik, -al, _adjs._ pertaining to the people: not clerical: unprofessional: (_cards_) not trumps.--_v.t._ L[=A]'ICISE, to deprive of a clerical character.--_ns._ L[=A]'ITY, the people as distinguished from any particular profession, esp. the clerical; LAY'-BAP'TISM, baptism administered by a layman; LAY'-BROTH'ER, a layman: a man under vows of celibacy and obedience, who serves a monastery, but is exempt from the studies and religious services required of the monks; LAY'-COMMUN'ION, the state of being in the communion of the church as a layman; LAY'-IMPR[=O]'PRIATOR, an impropriator who is a layman (see IMPROPRIATOR); LAY'-LORD, a civil lord of the Admiralty; LAY'MAN, one of the laity: a non-professional man; LAY'-READ'ER, in the Anglican Church, a layman who receives authority to read the lessons or a part of the service, and who may in certain cases preach or read the sermons of others. [O. Fr. _lai_--L. _laicus_--Gr. _laikos_--_laos_, the people.]

LAY-DAY, l[=a]'-d[=a], _n._ one of a number of days allowed a charter-party for shipping or unshipping cargo.

LAYER, l[=a]'[.e]r, _n._ a stratum--better LAIR (q.v.). See LAY.

LAYETTE, l[=a]-yet', _n._ a baby's complete outfit: a tray for carrying powder in powder-mills. [Fr.]

LAY-FIGURE, l[=a]'-fig'[=u]r, _n._ a jointed figure used by painters in imitation of the human body, as a model for drapery: a living person or a fictitious character wanting in individuality.--Also LAY'-MAN.

LAZAR, l[=a]'zar, _n._ one afflicted with a loathsome and pestilential disease like Lazarus, the beggar.--_ns._ L[=A]'ZAR-HOUSE, a lazaretto; LAZ'ARIST, a member of a R.C. order, the Congregation of the Priests of the Mission, founded by St Vincent de Paul in 1624.--_adj._ L[=A]'ZAR-LIKE, like a lazar: full of sores: leprous. [Fr. _lazare_--L.,--Gr. _Lazaros_, in the parable in Luke xvi.--Heb. _El`[=a]z[=a]r_, 'he whom God helps.']

LAZARETTO, laz-a-ret'[=o], _n._ a public hospital for diseased persons, esp. for such as have infectious disorders: a prison hospital: a place where persons are kept during quarantine.--Also LAZ'ARET. [It. _lazzeretto_.]

LAZARONI, laz-a-r[=o]'ni, _n._ Same as LAZZARONI.

LAZULI, laz'[=u]-l[=i]. See LAPIS-LAZULI, under LAPIDARY.

LAZULITE, laz'[=u]-l[=i]t, _n._ a mineral of a light, indigo-blue colour, occurring in quartz and in clay-slate.

LAZY, l[=a]'zi, _adj._ disinclined to exertion: averse to labour: sluggish: tedious.--_v.i._ LAZE, to be lazy.--_adv._ L[=A]'ZILY.--_ns._ L[=A]'ZINESS, state or quality of being lazy; L[=A]'ZY-BED, a bed for growing potatoes, the seed being laid on the surface and covered with earth dug out of trenches along both sides; L[=A]'ZYBONES (_coll._), a lazy person, an idler; L[=A]'ZY-JACK, a jack constructed of compound levers pivoted together; L[=A]'ZY-PIN'ION (see IDLE-WHEEL).--_n.pl._ L[=A]'ZY-TONGS, tongs consisting of a series of diagonal levers pivoted together at the middle and ends, capable of being extended by a movement of the scissors-like handles so as to pick up objects at a distance. [M. E. _lasche_--O. Fr. _lasche_ (Fr. _l[^a]che_), slack, weak, base--L. _laxus_, loose.]

LAZZARONI, laz-a-r[=o]'ni, _n._ name given to the lowest classes in Naples, idle beggars, with no fixed habitation or regular occupation:--_sing._ LAZZARONE. [It.]

LEA, l[=e], _n._ a meadow: grass-land, pasturage.--Older forms, LAY, LEE, LEY. [A.S. _le['a]h_; cf. prov. Ger. _lohe_, _loh_, found also in place-names, as Water_loo_.]

LEACH, l[=e]ch, _v.t._ to wash or drain away by percolation of water, esp. to make lye by leaching ashes--also LETCH.--_ns._ LEACH'-TROUGH, -TUB, a trough or tub in which ashes are leached.--_adj._ LEACH'Y, liable to be leached, letting water percolate through. [A.S. _leccan_, to moisten.]

LEACH, l[=e]ch, _n._ Same as LEECH.

LEAD, l[=e]d, _v.t._ to show the way by going first: to guide by the hand: to direct: to precede: to transport or carry: to allure.--_v.i._ to go before and show the way: to have a tendency: to exercise dominion:--_pr.p._ lead'ing; _pa.t._ and _pa.p._ led.--_n._ first place: precedence: direction: (_naut._) the course of a running rope from end to end: the right of playing the first card in a round or trick: a main conductor in electrical distribution.--_ns._ LEAD'ER, one who leads or goes first: a chief: the leading editorial article in a newspaper (also LEADING ARTICLE): principal wheel in any machinery; LEADERETTE', a brief newspaper leader; LEAD'ERSHIP, state or condition of a leader or conductor; LEAD'ING-BUS'INESS, the acting of the principal parts or r[^o]les in plays; LEAD'ING-M[=O]'TIVE (Ger. _leit-motif_), in dramatic music, a principal theme: a theme, usually of but few tones, by which any personage or

## particular emotion is indicated by suggestion as often as it occurs;

LEAD'ING-QUES'TION, a legal term for a question so put to a witness as to suggest the answer that is wished or expected.--_n.pl._ LEAD'ING-STRINGS, strings used to lead children when beginning to walk: vexatious care or custody.--LEAD APES IN HELL (see APE); LEAD ASTRAY, to draw into a wrong course, to seduce from right conduct; LEAD BY THE NOSE, to make one follow submissively; LEAD IN PRAYER, to offer up prayer in an assembly, uniting the prayers of others; LEAD OFF, to begin or take the start in anything; LEAD ON, to persuade to go on, to draw on; LEAD ONE A DANCE (see DANCE); LEAD UP TO, to bring about by degrees, to prepare for anything by steps or stages. [A.S. _l['ae]dan_, to lead, _l['a]d_, a way; Ger. _leiten_, to lead.]

LEAD, led, _n._ a well-known metal of a bluish-white colour: the plummet for sounding at sea: a thin plate of lead separating lines of type: (_pl._) sheets of lead for covering roofs, a flat roof so covered.--_v.t._ to cover or fit with lead: (_print._) to separate lines with leads.--_n._ LEAD'-ARM'ING, tallow, &c., placed in the hollow of a sounding-lead, to ascertain the nature of the bottom.--_adjs._ LEAD'ED, fitted with or set in lead: (_print._) separated by leads, as the lines of a book, &c.; LEAD'EN, made of lead: heavy: dull; LEAD'EN-HEART'ED, having an unfeeling heart; LEAD'EN-STEP'PING (_Milt._), moving slowly.--_ns._ LEAD'-GLANCE, lead ore, galena; LEAD'-MILL, a mill for grinding white-lead: a leaden disc charged with emery for grinding gems; LEAD'-PEN'CIL, a pencil or instrument for drawing, &c., made of blacklead; LEAD'-POI'SONING, or _Plumbism_, poisoning by the absorption and diffusion of lead in the system, its commonest form, _Lead_ or _Painter's Colic_; LEADS'MAN, a seaman who heaves the lead.--_adj._ LEAD'Y, like lead. [A.S. _le['a]d_; Ger. _loth_.]

LEAF, l[=e]f, _n._ one of the lateral organs developed from the stem or axis of the plant below its growing-point: anything beaten thin like a leaf: two pages of a book: one side of a window-shutter, &c.:--_pl._ LEAVES (l[=e]vz).--_v.i._ to shoot out or produce leaves:--_pr.p._ leaf'ing; _pa.p._ leafed.--_ns._ LEAF'AGE, leaves collectively: abundance of leaves: season of leaves or leafing; LEAF'-BRIDGE, a form of drawbridge in which the rising leaf or leaves swing vertically on hinges; LEAF'-BUD, a bud producing a stem with leaves only; LEAF'INESS; LEAF'-IN'SECT, an orthopterous insect of family _Phasmidae_, the wing-covers like leaves.--_adj._ LEAF'LESS, destitute of leaves.--_ns._ LEAF'LET, a little leaf, a tract; LEAF'-MET'AL, metal, especially alloys imitating gold and silver, in very thin leaves, for decoration; LEAF'-MOULD, earth formed from decayed leaves, used as a soil for plants; LEAF'-STALK, the petiole supporting the leaf.--_adj._ LEAF'Y, full of leaves.--TAKE A LEAF OUT OF ONE'S BOOK (see BOOK); TURN OVER A NEW LEAF, to take up a new and better course of conduct. [A.S. _le['a]f_; Ger. _laub_, Dut. _loof_, a leaf.]

LEAGUE, l[=e]g, _n._ a nautical measure, 1/20th of a degree, 3 geographical miles, 3.456 statute miles: an old measure of length, varying from the Roman league, 1.376 mod. Eng. miles, to the French, 2.764 miles, and the Spanish, 4.214 miles. [O. Fr. _legue_ (Fr. _lieue_)--L. _leuca_, a Gallic mile of 1500 Roman paces; from the Celt., as in Bret. _le['o]_.]

LEAGUE, l[=e]g, _n._ a bond or alliance: union for mutual advantage.--_v.i._ to form a league: to unite for mutual interest:--_pr.p._ leag'uing; _pa.t._ and _pa.p._ leagued.--_n._ LEAG'UER, one connected with a league. [Fr. _ligue_--Low L. _liga_--L. _lig[=a]re_, to bind.]

LEAGUER, l[=e]g'[.e]r, _n._ a camp, esp. of a besieging army: siege or besiegement. [Dut. _leger_, a lair.]

LEAK, l[=e]k, _n._ a crack or hole in a vessel through which liquid may pass: the oozing of any fluid through an opening.--_v.i._ to let any fluid into or out of a vessel through a leak.--_ns._ LEAK'AGE, a leaking: that which enters or escapes by leaking: an allowance for leaking; LEAK'INESS.--_adj._ LEAK'Y, having leaks: letting any liquid in or out.--LEAK OUT, to find vent, to get to the public ears; SPRING A LEAK, to begin to let in water. [Ice. _leka_; Dut. _lekken_, to drip.]

LEAL, l[=e]l, _adj._ true-hearted, faithful.--LAND O' THE LEAL, the home of the blessed after death--Paradise, not Scotland. [Norm. Fr. _leal_, same as _loyal_.]

LEAM, l[=e]m, _n._ (_obs._) a gleam of light, a glow.--_v.i._ to shine. [A.S. _le['o]ma_.]

LEAN, l[=e]n, _v.i._ to incline or bend: to turn from a straight line: to rest against: to incline towards:--_pr.p._ lean'ing; _pa.t._ and _pa.p._ leaned or leant (lent).--_n._ LEAN'-TO, a shed or penthouse whose supports lean upon another building or wall. [A.S. _hlinian_, and causal form _hl['ae]nan_; Dut. _leunen_.]

LEAN, l[=e]n, _adj._ thin, wanting flesh: not fat: unprofitable, taking extra time--a printer's phrase.--_n._ flesh without fat.--_adj._ LEAN'-FACED, having a thin face: (_print._) slender and narrow, as letters.--_adv._ LEAN'LY.--_n._ LEAN'NESS.--_adj._ LEAN'-WIT'TED, of little sense. [A.S. _hl['ae]ne_; Low Ger. _leen_; according to Skeat, from _hl['ae]nan_, to lean (above).]

LEAP, l[=e]p, _v.i._ to move with bounds: to spring upward or forward: to jump: to rush with vehemence.--_v.t._ to bound over: to cause to take a leap: to cover or copulate (of some beasts):--_pr.p._ leap'ing; _pa.t._ leaped or leapt (lept); _pa.p._ leaped, rarely leapt.--_n._ act of leaping: bound: space passed by leaping: sudden transition.--_ns._ LEAP'-FROG, a play in which one boy places his hands on the back of another stooping in front of him, and vaults over his head; LEAP'ING-HOUSE (_Shak._), a brothel; LEAP'ING-TIME (_Shak._), youth; LEAP'-YEAR, every fourth year--of 366 days, adding one day in February.--LEAP IN THE DARK, an act of which we cannot foresee the consequences. [A.S. _hle['a]pan_, pa.t. _hle['o]p_; Ger. _laufen_, to run.]

LEAP, l[=e]p, _n._ a basket: a wicker net. [A.S. _le['a]p_.]

LEAR, l[=e]r, _v.t._ (_Spens._) to learn.--_n._ that which is learned, a lesson: (_Scot._) learning.

LEARN, l[.e]rn, _v.t._ to acquire knowledge of, to get to know: to gain power of performing: (_prov._) to teach.--_v.i._ to gain knowledge: to improve by example.--_adjs._ LEARN'ABLE, that may be learned; LEARN'ED, having learning: versed in literature, &c.: skilful.--_adv._ LEARN'EDLY.--_ns._ LEARN'EDNESS; LEARN'ER, one who learns: one who is yet in the rudiments of any subject; LEARN'ING, what is learned: knowledge: scholarship: skill in languages or science.--NEW LEARNING, the awakening to classical learning in England in the 16th century, led by Colet, Erasmus, Warham, More, &c. [A.S. _leornian_; Ger. _lernen_; cf. A.S. _l['ae]ran_ (Ger. _lehren_), to teach.]

LEASE, l[=e]s, _n._ a contract letting a house, farm, &c. for a term of years: the duration or term of tenure: any tenure.--_v.t._ to let for a term of years:--_pr.p._ leas'ing; _pa.t._ and _pa.p._ leased.--_adjs._ LEAS'ABLE; LEASE'HOLD, held by lease or contract.--_n._ a tenure held by lease.--_ns._ LEASE'HOLDER; LEAS'ER, one who leases. [Fr. _laisser_, to leave--L. _lax[=a]re_, to loose, _laxus_, loose.]

LEASE, l[=e]z, _v.i._ (_prov._) to glean.--_n._ LEAS'ING, gleaning. [A.S. _lesan_, to gather.]

LEASE, l[=e]s, _n._ in weaving, the plane in which the warp-threads cross: this system of crossing.

LEASH, l[=e]sh, _n._ a lash or line by which a hawk or hound is held: a brace and a half, three.--_v.t._ to hold by a leash: to bind. [O. Fr. _lesse_ (Fr. _laisse_), a thong to hold a dog by--L. _laxus_, loose.]

LEASING, l[=e]z'ing, _n._ falsehood, lies: lying. [A.S. _l['a]sung_--_le['a]s_, false, loose; Goth. _laus_, Ice. _los_.]

LEASOWE, l[=e]'s[=o], _n._ a pasture.--_v.t._ to feed or pasture. [A.S. _l['ae]s_, a meadow.]

LEAST, l[=e]st, _adj._ (serves as superl. of LITTLE) little beyond all others: smallest.--_adv._ in the smallest or lowest degree.--_advs._ LEAST'WAYS, LEAST'WISE, at least: however.--AT LEAST, or AT THE LEAST, at the lowest estimate: at any rate. [A.S. _laest_, contr. from _laesast_, from _laessa_ (adj.), less, _laes_ (adv.).]

LEAST, l[=e]st, _conj._ (_Spens._). Same as LEST.

LEAT, LEET, l[=e]t, _n._ (_prov._) a trench for bringing water to a mill-wheel.

LEATHER, leth'[.e]r, _n._ the prepared skin of an animal, tanned, tawed, or otherwise dressed.--_adj._ consisting of leather.--_ns._ LEATH'ER-CLOTH, a textile fabric coated on one face with certain mixtures of a flexible nature when dry, so as to resemble leather--called also _American leather-cloth_, or simply _American cloth_; LEATH'ER-COAT (_Shak._), an apple with a rough coat or rind, the golden russet; LEATHERETTE', cloth or paper made to look like leather; LEATH'ER-HEAD, a blockhead: an Australian bird with a bare head--called also _Monk_ and _Friar_: LEATH'ERING, a thrashing; LEATH'ER-JACK'ET, one of various fishes; LEATH'ER-KNIFE, a knife of curved form for cutting leather.--_adj._ LEATH'ERN, made or consisting of leather.--_p.adj._ LEATH'ER-WINGED (_Spens._), having wings like leather.--_adj._ LEATH'ERY, resembling leather: tough.--FAIR LEATHER, leather not artificially coloured; MOROCCO LEATHER (see MOROCCO); PATENT LEATHER, leather with a finely varnished surface--also JAPANNED or LACQUERED LEATHER; RUSSIA LEATHER, a fine brownish-red leather with a characteristic odour; SPLIT LEATHER, leather split by a machine, for trunk-covers, &c.; WHITE LEATHER, tawed leather, having its natural colour. [A.S. _ledher_, leather; Dut. and Ger. _leder_.]

LEAVE, l[=e]v, _n._ permission: liberty granted: formal parting of friends: farewell. [A.S. _le['a]f_, permission, cog. with _le['o]f_, dear. See LIEF.]

LEAVE, l[=e]v, _v.t._ to allow to remain: to abandon, resign: to quit or depart from: to have remaining at death: to bequeath: to refer for decision.--_v.i._ to desist: to cease: to depart:--_pr.p._ leav'ing; _pa.t._ and _pa.p._ left.--LEAVE ALONE, to let remain undisturbed; LEAVE IN THE DARK, to conceal information from; LEAVE OFF, to desist, to terminate: to give up using; LEAVE OUT, to omit.--GET LEFT (_coll._), to be beaten or left behind; TAKE FRENCH LEAVE (see FRENCH); TAKE LEAVE, to assume permission: to part, say farewell. [A.S. _l['ae]fan_, to leave a heritage (_l['a]f_), _lifian_, to be remaining.]

LEAVE, l[=e]v, _v.t._ (_Spens._) to levy, to raise.

LEAVE, l[=e]v, _v.i._ to put out leaves.--_adj._ LEAVED, furnished with leaves: made with folds.

LEAVEN, lev'n, _n._ the ferment which makes dough rise in a spongy form: anything that makes a general change, whether good or bad.--_v.t._ to raise with leaven: to taint.--_n._ LEAV'ENING.--_adj._ LEAV'ENOUS, containing leaven. [Fr. _levain_--L. _levamen_--_lev[=a]re_, to raise--_levis_, light.]

LEAVES, l[=e]vz, _pl._ of _leaf_.

LEAVINGS, l[=e]v'ingz, _n.pl._ things left: relics: refuse.--_n._ LEAV'ING-SHOP, an unlicensed pawnshop.

LEAVY, l[=e]v'i, _adj._ (_Shak._). Same as LEAFY.

LECHER, lech'[.e]r, _n._ a man addicted to lewdness.--_v.i._ to practise lewdness.--_adj._ LECH'EROUS, lustful: provoking lust.--_adv._ LECH'EROUSLY.--_ns._ LECH'EROUSNESS, LECH'ERY. [O. Fr. _lecheor_--_lecher_, to lick; from Old High Ger. _lech['o]n_, Ger. _lecken_, Eng. _lick_.]

LECTERN, lek't[.e]rn, _n._ a reading-desk in churches from which the Scripture lessons are read.--_ns._ (_obs._) LEC'TURN, LET'TERN. [Low L. _lectrinum_--Low L. _lectrum_, a pulpit--Gr. _lektron_, a couch.]

LECTION, lek'shun, _n._ a reading: a variety in a manuscript or book: a portion of Scripture read in divine service.--_ns._ LEC'TIONARY, a book for use in worship, containing lessons for particular days; LEC'TOR, a reader: a reader of Scripture in the ancient churches; LEC'TRESS, a female reader. [L. _lection-em_--_leg[)e]re_, _lectum_, to read.]

LECTUAL, lek't[=u]-al, _adj._ confining to the bed.

LECTURE, lek't[=u]r, _n._ a discourse on any subject, esp. a professional or tutorial discourse: an expository and discursive religious discourse, usually based on an extended passage of Scripture rather than a single text: an endowed lectureship, as the Bampton, Hulsean, &c.: a formal reproof.--_v.t._ to instruct by discourses: to instruct authoritatively: to reprove.--_v.i._ to give a lecture or lectures.--_ns._ LEC'TURER, one who lectures: one of a class of preachers in the Church of England, chosen by the vestry and supported by voluntary contributions; LEC'TURESHIP, the office of a lecturer. [See LECTION.]

LED, led, _pa.t._ and _pa.p._ of lead, to show the way.--_adj._ under leading or control, esp. of a farm or place managed by a deputy instead of the owner or tenant in person.--LED CAPTAIN, an obsequious attendant, a henchman; LED HORSE, a spare horse led by a servant, a sumpter-horse or pack-horse.

LEDEN, led'n, _n._ (_Spens._) language, dialect, speech. [A.S. _l['ae]den_, Latin speech--L. _Latinum_, Latin.]

LEDGE, lej, _n._ a shelf on which articles may be laid: that which resembles such a shelf: a ridge or shelf of rocks: a layer: a small moulding: a lode in mining.--_adj._ LEDG'Y, abounding in ledges. [Skeat explains as Scand., allied to Sw. _lagg_, Ice. _l[:o]gg_, Norw. _logg_ (pl. _legger_); cf. also Norw. _lega_, a couch; all from Ice. _liggja_; Sw. _ligga_, Dan. _ligge_, to lie.]

LEDGER, lej'[.e]r, _n._ the principal book of accounts among merchants, in which the entries in all the other books are entered: (_Shak._) a resident, esp. an ambassador: a bar, stone, &c., made to lie flat, a piece of timber used in making a scaffolding, a horizontal slab, as over a tomb.--_adj._ lying in a certain place, stationary. [Skeat explains _ledger-book_ as one that lies always ready, from Dut. _legger_, one that lies down, _leggen_, to lie, a common corr. of _liggen_, to lie (like _lay_ for _lie_ in English).]

LEDUM, l[=e]'dum, _n._ a genus of ericaceous plants. [Gr. _l[=e]don_, ladanum.]

[Illustration]

LEE, l[=e], _n._ the quarter toward which the wind blows.--_adj._ as in LEE'-SIDE, the sheltered side of a ship.--_ns._ LEE'-BOARD, a board lowered on the lee-side of a vessel, and acting like a keel or centre-board to prevent her from drifting to leeward; LEE'-GAGE, the sheltered or safe side:--opp. to _Weather-gage_; LEE'-SHORE, the shore opposite to the lee-side of a ship; LEE'-TIDE, a tide running in the same direction as the wind is blowing.--_adj._ LEE'WARD, pertaining to, or in, the direction toward which the wind blows.--_adv._ toward the lee.--_n._ LEE'WAY, the distance a ship is driven to leeward of her true course: a falling behind.--MAKE UP LEEWAY, to make up for time lost; UNDER THE LEE, on the side sheltered from the wind, under shelter from the wind. [A.S. _hle['o]w_, shelter; Ice. _hl['e]_, Low Ger. _lee_; prov. Eng. _lew_.]

LEE, l[=e], _n._ (_Spens._) a river: also the same as LEA.

LEECH, l[=e]ch, _n._ the edge of a sail at the sides. [Ice. _l['i]k_, a leech-line; Dan. _lig_; Sw. _lik_, a bolt-rope.]

LEECH, l[=e]ch, _n._ a blood-sucking worm: a physician.--_v.t._ to apply leeches to.--_ns._ LEECH'CRAFT, LEECH'DOM. [A.S. _l['ae]ce_, one who heals; cf. Goth. _leikeis_.]

LEEF, l[=e]f, _adj._ an obsolete form of _lief_.

LEEFANG, l[=e]'fang, _n._ a rope through the clew of a jib, holding it amidships while lacing on the bonnet.

LEEK, l[=e]k, _n._ a well-known biennial species of the onion family, esteemed for cooking--national emblem of Wales.--EAT THE LEEK, to be compelled to take back one's words or put up with insulting treatment--from the scene between Fluellen and Pistol in _Henry V_. [A.S. _le['a]c_, a leek, a plant, present also in _Char-lock_, _Gar-lic_, _Hem-lock_.]

LEER, l[=e]r, _n._ a sly, sidelong look: (_Shak._) complexion, colour.--_v.i._ to look askance: to look archly or obliquely.--_adv._ LEER'INGLY, with a leering look. [A.S. _hle['o]r_, face, cheek; Ice. _hl['y]r_.]

LEES, l[=e]z, _n.pl._ sediment or dregs that settle at the bottom of liquor. [Fr. _lie_--Low L. _lia_.]

LEESE, l[=e]z, _v.t._ (_Spens._) to lose. [A.S. _le['o]san_, to lose.]

LEET, l[=e]t, _n._ (_Scot._) a selected list of candidates for an office.--SHORT LEET, a small list of selected candidates--for the final choice. [Ice. _leiti_, a share; cf. A.S. _hl['e]t_, _hl['y]t_, forms of _hlot_, lot.]

LEET, l[=e]t, _n._ an ancient English court, esp. the assembly of the men of a township: the district subject to such: the right to hold such a court.--_n._ COURT'-LEET (see COURT). [A.S. _l['ae]th_.]

LEETLE, l[=e]'tl, a vulgarism for _little_.

LEEZE, l[=e]z (_Scot._), in phrase LEEZE ME, it is pleasing to me. [Prob. a corr. of _Lief is me_.]

LEFT, left, _pa.p._ (_Spens._) lifted.

LEFT, left, _pa.t._ and _pa.p._ of leave.--_adj._ LEFT'-OFF, laid aside.

LEFT, left, _adj._ being on the left side--also LEFT'-HAND.--_n._ the side opposite to the right: the part of an assembly sitting on the president's left hand, generally the more liberal or democratic section.--_adv._ toward the left.--_adj._ LEFT'-HAND'ED, having the left hand stronger and readier than the right: awkward: unlucky.--_ns._ LEFT'-HAND'EDNESS; LEFT'-HAND'ER, a blow with the left hand, a sudden and unexpected attack; LEFT'-HAND'INESS, awkwardness.--_adv._ LEFT'WARD, towards the left: on the left side. [M. E. _lift_, _left_--A.S. _left_ for _lyft_, weak; prob. allied to _lop_.]

LEG, leg, _n._ one of the limbs by which animals walk: a long, slender support of anything, as of a table: (_fig._) something that supports: in cricket, that part of the field, or that fielder, to the left of and behind the batsman as he faces the bowler.--_v.i._ to pass on briskly, often with indef. _it._--_ns._ LEG'-BAIL (see BAIL); LEG'-BUS'INESS, ballet-dancing; LEG'-BYE, in cricket, a run made when the ball touches any part of the batsman's person except his hand.--_adj._ LEGGED, having legs.--_ns._ LEG'GING, an outer and extra gaiter-like covering for the legs; LEG'GISM, character of a blackleg.--_adj._ LEG'GY, having disproportionately long and lank legs.--_n._ LEG'-[=I]'RON, a fetter for the leg.--_adj._ LEG'LESS, without legs.--CHANGE THE LEG (of a horse), to change the gait; FEEL ONE'S LEGS (of an infant), to begin to support one's self on the legs; FIND ONE'S LEGS, to become habituated to, to attain ease in; GIVE A LEG TO, to assist by supporting the leg; IN HIGH LEG, in great excitement; MAKE A LEG (_Shak._), to make a bow; ON ONE'S LAST LEGS (see LAST); ON ONE'S LEGS, standing, esp. to speak; UPON ITS LEGS, in an independent position. [Ice. _leggr_, a leg; Dan. _laeg_, Sw. _l[:a]gg_.]