lie¹ (lī)
intr.v., lay (lā), lain (lān), ly·ing (lī'ĭng), lies.

1. To be or place oneself at rest in a flat, horizontal, or recumbent position; recline: He lay under a tree to sleep.
2. To be placed on or supported by a surface that is usually horizontal: Dirty dishes lay on the table. See Usage Note at lay¹.
3. To be or remain in a specified condition: The dust has lain undisturbed for years. He lay sick in bed.
4. 1. To exist; reside: Our sympathies lie with the plaintiff.
   2. To consist or have as a basis. Often used with in: The strength of his performance lies in his training.
5. To occupy a position or place: The lake lies beyond this hill.
6. To extend: Our land lies between these trees and the river.
7. To be buried in a specified place.
8. Law. To be admissible or maintainable.
9. Archaic. To stay for a night or short while.

n.

1. The manner or position in which something is situated.
2. A haunt or hiding place of an animal.
3. Sports. The position of a golf ball that has come to a stop.

phrasal verbs:

lie down

1. To do little or nothing: He's lying down on the job.

lie in

1. To be in confinement for childbirth.

lie to Nautical.

1. To remain stationary while facing the wind.

lie with

1. To be decided by, dependent on, or up to: The choice lies with you.
2. Archaic. To have sexual intercourse with.

idiom:

lie (or lay) low

1. To keep oneself or one's plans hidden.
2. To bide one's time but remain ready for action.

[Middle English lien, from Old English licgan.]

lie² (lī)
n.

1. A false statement deliberately presented as being true; a falsehood.
2. Something meant to deceive or give a wrong impression.

v., lied, ly·ing (lī'ĭng), lies.

v.intr.

1. To present false information with the intention of deceiving.
2. To convey a false image or impression: Appearances often lie.

v.tr.
To cause to be in a specific condition or affect in a specific way by telling falsehoods: You have lied yourself into trouble.

idiom:

lie through one's teeth

1. To lie outrageously or brazenly.

[Middle English, from Old English lyge.]

SYNONYMS   lie, equivocate, fib, palter, prevaricate. These verbs mean to evade or depart from the truth: a witness who lied under oath; didn't equivocate about her real purpose; fibbed to escape being scolded; paltering with an irate customer; didn't prevaricate but answered honestly.

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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