lie

1. 1

   To rest in a horizontal position on a surface.intransitive

   • The book lies on the table; the snow lies on the roof; he lies in his coffin.
   • Under an oak were lying asleep a pair of shepherds.
2. 2

   To be placed or situated.intransitive

   • Ying-yang county lies 70 li southwest of the modern Teng-feng county, Honan.
   • Hepaticology, outside the temperate parts of the Northern Hemisphere, still lies deep in the shadow cast by that ultimate "closet taxonomist," Franz Stephani—a ghost whose shadow falls over us all.
3. 3

   To abide; to remain for a longer or shorter time; to be in a certain state or condition.copulativeintransitive

   • to lie waste; to lie fallow; to lie open; to lie hidden; to lie grieving; to lie under one's displeasure; to lie at the mercy of the waves
   • The paper does not lie smooth on the wall.
4. 4

   Used with in: to be or exist; to belong or pertain; to have an abiding place; to consist.

   • Envy lies between beings equal in nature, though unequal in circumstances.
   • He that thinks that diversion may not lie in hard labour, forgets the early rising and hard riding of huntsmen.
5. 5

   Used with with: to have sexual relations with.

   • And it came to passe after these things, that his masters wife cast her eyes vpon Ioseph, and shee said, Lie with me.
6. 6

   Used with on/upon: to be incumbent (on); to be the responsibility of a person.

7. 7

   To lodge; to sleep.archaic

   • While I was now trifling at home, I saw London, […] where I lay one night only.
   • Mr. Quinion lay at our house that night.
8. 8

   To be still or quiet, like one lying down to rest.

   • The Wind is lowd, and will not lie till the Ship be cleard of the dead.
9. 9

   To be sustainable; to be capable of being maintained.

   • An appeal lies in this case from the ordinary to the arches.

1. 1

   The terrain and conditions surrounding the ball before it is struck.

2. 2

   The terrain and conditions surrounding the disc before it is thrown.

3. 3

   The position of a fetus in the womb.

4. 4

   A manner of lying; relative position.

5. 5

   An animal's lair.

syn. alternative fact · anti-fact · invention · bluff · bollocks · bullshit · canard · cap · chin · clanker · contradiction · cram

ant. fact · truth · verity

1. 1

   To knowingly give false information with intent to deceive.intransitive

   • When Pinocchio lies, his nose grows.
   • If you are found to have lied in court, you could face a penalty.
2. 2

   To convey a false image or impression.intransitive

   • Photographs often lie.
3. 3

   To be mistaken or unintentionally spread false information.colloquialintransitive

   • Sorry, I haven't seen your keys anywhere...wait, I lied! They're right there on the coffee table.

syn. prevaricate

1. 1

   An intentionally false statement; an intentional falsehood.

   • I knew he was telling a lie by his facial expression.
2. 2

   A statement intended to deceive, even if literally true.

3. 3

   Anything that misleads or disappoints.broadly

   • Wishing this lie of life was o'er.
   • The cake is a lie.
4. 4

   A liar; a dishonest person.slang

syn. alternative fact · anti-fact · invention · bluff · bollocks · bullshit · canard · cap · chin · clanker · contradiction · cram

ant. fact · truth · verity