Definition of "lye"

lye¹

/laɪ/

noun
countable and uncountable, plural lyes
1. An alkaline liquid made by leaching ashes (usually wood ashes).
2. Potassium or sodium hydroxide (caustic soda).
  Quotations
  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
verb
third-person singular simple present lyes, present participle lyeing or lying, simple past and past participle lyed
1. To treat with lye.

lye²

/laɪ/

verb
third-person singular simple present lyes, present participle lying, simple past lay, past participle lain or layn
1. Obsolete spelling of lie.
  Quotations
  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
  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 […], page 88
noun
plural lyes
1. Obsolete spelling of lie
2. (UK, rail transport) A short side line, connected with the main line; a turn-out; a siding.
  Quotations
  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