lias

lias · noun¹

1. Proto-Indo-European · derived from*legʰ-“to lie (down)”
2. Proto-Celtic · derived from*legyā
3. Gaulish · derived from*ligyā
4. Celtic · derived from
5. Medieval Latin · derived fromliae
6. Old French · derived fromliois“compact limestone”
7. English todaylias

Originally dialectal, from Old French liois (“compact limestone”) (French liais), from Medieval Latin liae, plural of lia; doublet of lees (which is via Latin lias). Ultimate origin uncertain, possibly a Celtic word (such as Gaulish *ligyā) from Proto-Celtic *legyā, from Proto-Indo-European *legʰ- (“to lie (down)”). Compare Loire and Leicester.

Lias · proper noun²

See lias.

Words from the same roots