lythe, lithen (A.S.) [155], [270], to listen to
lyven, lyve (A.S.) to live. pr. pl. lyveden, [2]. part. act. lybbynge. See libben
lyves (A.S.) alive. lyves and lokynge, [405], alive and looking. See note on l. 5014
lyveris (A.S.) [235], livers, people who live
lobies (A.S.) [4], loobies, clowns
loft (A.S.) high, height. bi lofte and by grounde, [372], in height and in ground-plan. o-lofte, aloft, on high
lok (A.S.) [27], a lock
loken (A.S.) [388], to look, to over-see, [148]. pret. s. lokede, [276]
lollen (A.S.) [240], to loll. part. pas. lolled, [239]. part. act. lollynge, [346]
lolleris (A.S.) [308], lollards. The origin of this word is doubtful, but it seems to mean generally people who go about from place to place with a hypocritical show of praying and devotion. It was certainly in use long before the time of the Wycliffites, in Germany as well as in England. Johannes Hocsemius (quoted by Ducange, v. Lollardi) says, in his chronicle on the year 1309, "Eodem anno quidam hypocritæ gyrovagi, qui Lollardisive Deum laudantes vocabantur, per Hannoniam et Brabantiam quasdam mulieres nobiles deceperunt," &c. The term, used in the time of Piers Ploughman as one of reproach, was afterwards contemptuously given to the church reformers. The writer of the Ploughman's Tale, printed in Chaucer, Speght, fol. 86, appears to apply it to wandering friars:—