Lichgate, lich′gāt, n. a churchyard gate with a porch to rest the bier under.—ns. Lich′wake, the wake or watch held over a dead body—also Likewake, Lykewake, and even Latewake; Lich′way, the path by which the dead are carried to the grave. [M. E. lich—A.S. líc (Ger. leiche), geat, a gate.]
Licit, lis′it, adj. lawful, allowable.—adv. Lic′itly. [L.]
Lick, lik, v.t. to pass the tongue over: to take in by the tongue: to lap: to beat by repeated blows: (coll.) to triumph over, overcome.—n. a passing the tongue over: a slight smear: (Scot.) a tiny amount: a blow: (coll.) an attempt, trial: (pl., Scot.) a thrashing.—ns. Lick′er; Lick′ing, a thrashing; Lick′penny (Scot.), a miserly person; Lick′-plat′ter, Lick′-trench′er, Lick′spittle, a mean, servile dependent.—Lick into shape, to give form and method to—from the notion that the she-bear gives form to her shapeless young by licking them; Lick the dust, to be slain: to be abjectly servile. [A.S. liccian; Ger. lecken, L. lingĕre, Gr. leichein.]
Lickerish, lik′ėr-ish, adj. dainty: eager to taste or enjoy: tempting.—adv. Lick′erishly.—n. Lick′erishness. [Formerly also liquorish; a corr. of obsolete lickerous, lecherous.]
Licorice. Same as Liquorice.
Lictor, lik′tor, n. an officer who attended the Roman magistrates, bearing an axe and bundle of rods. [L.]
Lid, lid, n. a cover: that which shuts a vessel: the cover of the eye.—adjs. Lid′ded, having a lid or lids; Lid′less, without lid or lids. [A.S. hlid (Dut. lid)—hlídan, to cover.]
Lie, lī, n. anything meant to deceive: an intentional violation of truth: anything that misleads.—v.i. to utter falsehood with an intention to deceive: to make a false representation:—pr.p. ly′ing; pa.t. and pa.p. lied.—Lie in one's throat, to lie shamelessly; Lie out of whole cloth, to lie without any foundation whatever; Give the lie to, to charge with falsehood; White lie, a conventional phrase not strictly true: a well-meant falsehood. [A.S. leógan (lyge, a falsehood), prov. Eng. lig; Dut. liegen, Goth. liugan, Ger. lügen, to lie.]
Lie, lī, v.i. to rest in a reclining posture: to lean: to press upon: to be situated: to abide: to consist: (law) to be sustainable: (Shak.) to be imprisoned: to lodge, pass the night:—pr.p. ly′ing; pa.t. lay; pa.p. lain, (B.) lī′en.—n. manner of lying: relative position: an animal's lair: (golf) position of the ball for striking.—ns. Lī′er, Lie′-abed′, one who lies late—also adj.—Lie along, to be extended at full length; Lie at one's door, to be directly imputable to one; Lie at one's heart, to be an object of interest or affection to one; Lie by, to take rest from labour: (Shak.) to be under the charge of; Lie hard or heavy on, upon, (Shak.) to, to oppress, burden; Lie in, to be in childbed; Lie in one, to be in one's power; Lie in the way, to be ready, at hand: to be an obstacle; Lie in wait, to lie in ambush; Lie low, to conceal one's actions or intentions; Lie on, upon, to be incumbent on; Lie on the hands, to remain unused or unoccupied; Lie over, to be deferred to a future occasion; Lie to, to be checked in sailing; Lie under, to be subject to or oppressed by; Lie up, to abstain from work; Lie with, to lodge or sleep with: to have carnal knowledge of; Lying-in hospital, a hospital for those about to become mothers. [A.S. licgan; Ger. liegen; Goth. ligan.]
Liebig, lē′big, n. a nutritious extract of beef first prepared by the great German chemist, Baron von Liebig (1803-1873).