n.
Pronunciation: ' l ī
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English l ē ag; akin to Old High German louga lye, Latin lavare, lavere to wash, Greek louein
Date: before 12th century
1 : a strong alkaline liquor rich in potassium carbonate leached from wood ashes and used especially in making soap and for washing broadly : a strong alkaline solution (as of sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide)
2 : a solid caustic (as sodium hydroxide)