lair

English

/lɛə/, /lɛəɹ/

noun
Definitions
  • A place inhabited by a wild animal, often a cave or a hole in the ground.
  • A shed or shelter for domestic animals.
  • (figuratively) A place inhabited by a criminal or criminals, a superhero or a supervillain; a refuge, retreat, haven or hideaway.
  • (British) A bed or resting place.
  • (Scotland) A grave; a cemetery plot.

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English leir inherited from Old English leġer (couch, bed) inherited from Proto-Germanic *legrą derived from Proto-Indo-European *legʰ- (lie, lie down, lay, be situated, recline, resting place, put down), *legʰ- (lie, lie down, lay, be situated, recline, resting place, put down).

Origin

Proto-Indo-European

*legʰ-

Gloss

lie, lie down, lay, be situated, recline, resting place, put down

Concept
Semantic Field

Basic actions and technology

Ontological Category

Action/Process

Emoji
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Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms