lye

plural lyes

1. countableuncountableAn alkaline liquid made by leaching ashes (usually wood ashes).
2. countableuncountablePotassium or sodium hydroxide (caustic soda).

   She had not left the lye in too long so that the hair would fall out in clumps later.

   2019, Namwali Serpell, The Old Drift, Hogarth, page 372

present singular third person lyes · participle present lyeing · participle past lyed · past lyed

1. To treat with lye.

present singular third person lyes · participle present lying · past lay · participle past lain · participle past layn

1. obsoleteObsolete spelling of lie.

   Now negligent of sports I lye, And now as other Fawkners use, I spring a mistresse, sweare, write, sigh and weepe: And the game kill'd, or lost, goe talk, and sleepe.

   1654, John Donne, Loves Diet

   1 more example

   But when his foe lyes proſtrate on the plain, He ſheaths his paws, uncurls his angry mane; And, pleas'd with bloudleſs honours of the day, Walks over, and diſdains th' inglorious Prey,[…]

   1687, [John Dryden], “The Third Part”, in The Hind and the Panther. A Poem, in Three Parts, 2nd edition, London: […] Jacob Tonson […], →OCLC, page 88

plural lyes

1. obsoleteObsolete spelling of lie.
2. UKrail transportA short side line, connected with the main line; a turn-out; a siding.

   Brakevan lye. [same page in the main text] There is also an inclined lye for brakevans at each end of the yard.

   1962 October, G. Freeman Allen, “The New Look in Scotland's Northern Division—II: The new Perth marshalling yard”, in Modern Railways, page 273, photo caption with indicating arrow

1. A suburban area in the Metropolitan Borough of Dudley, West Midlands, England (OS grid ref SO9284).
2. rareA diminutive of the female given name Lyanna.