leme, a flame, light, ray, beam. Sir T. Elyot, The Governour, bk. i, c. 1, § 2; Calisto and Melibæa, in Hazlitt’s Dodsley, i. 64; leames, lights, Sackville, Induction to Mirror, st. 9. A north-country word, see EDD. (s.v. Leam, sb.1 1). ME. leme (Chaucer, C. T. B. 4120). OE. lēoma, light.
Lemures, in early Roman religion, the spirits of the departed. Milton, Christ’s Nativity, Hymn, st. 21.
l’envoy, the sending forth a poem, hence, the conclusion of a poetical or prose composition; the author’s parting words; fig. a conclusion, catastrophe, ‘Long since I look’d for this l’envoy’, Massinger, Bashful Lover, iv. 1 (Martino); v. 1 (Alonzo). OF. envoye (F. envoi), a sending.
lere, lore, teaching. Spenser, Shep. Kal., May, 261; Drayton, Pol. xxiv. 803; leare, Spenser, F. Q. iii, 11. 16; iv. 3. 40; leares, lessons, F. Q. iii. 7. 21; leere, Lyly, Mother Bombie, ii. 5 (Sperantus). Also, the meaning, sense (as of a Latin phrase), Heywood, Witches of Lancs. iv (Lawrence). In prov. use in Scotland and north of England, see EDD. (s.v. Lear, sb.1 5). ME. lere (Sir Gowther, 231); fr. leren, to teach (Chaucer, Tr. and Cr. iv. 441). See [leyre].
lere; see [leer].
lerrepoop; see [liripoop].
lerrie, something said by rote, a set speech, ‘patter’; ‘Man can teach us our lerrie’, Middleton, Blurt, Mr. Constable, iii. 3 (Third Lady). In Kent ‘lerry’ is the part which has to be learnt by a mummer (EDD.). See NED. (s.v. Lurry).
lesses, the dung of a ‘ravenous’ animal. Turbervile, Hunting, c. 37; p. 97; Maister of Game, c. 25. F. laisses, ‘the lesses (or dung) of a wild Boar, Wolf, or Bear’ (Cotgr.).
lest, to listen. Spenser, F. Q. vi. 1. 17. See EDD. (s.v. List, vb.3).
lest; see [list].