lye

4 definitions found

lye - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Lye \Lye\, n. (Railroad)
     A short side line, connected with the main line; a turn-out;
     a siding. [Eng.]
     [1913 Webster]

  Lye \Lye\, n.
     A falsehood. [Obs.] See Lie.
     [1913 Webster]

  Lye \Lye\, n. [Written also lie and ley.] [AS. le['a]h; akin
     to D. loog, OHG. louga, G. lauge; cf. Icel. laug a bath, a
     hot spring.]
     1. A strong caustic alkaline solution of potassium salts,
        obtained by leaching wood ashes. It is much used in making
        soap, etc.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. (Chem.) Sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide, or a
        concentrated aqueous solution of either compound.
        [PJC]

lye - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  lye
      n 1: a strong solution of sodium or potassium hydroxide