ly- -comb form

  1. degrading : reduction
    • ly ase
  2. dispersed state : dispersion
    • lyo philic

ly·amhound ['lī-əm-,hau̇nd] -n

  1. bloodhound

ly·art ['lī-ərt] -adj

  1. streaked with gray : gray

ly·ase ['lī-,ās, -,āz] -n

  1. an enzyme (as a decarboxylase) that forms double bonds by removing groups from a substrate other than by hydrolysis or that adds groups to double bonds

ly·can·thro·py [lī-'kan(t)-thrə-pē] -n, adj

  1. a delusion that one has become a wolf
  2. the assumption of the form and characteristics of a wolf held to be possible by witchcraft or magic

ly·cee [lē-'sā] -n

  1. a French public secondary school that prepares students for the university

ly·ce·um [lī-'sē-əm, 'lī-sē-] -n

  1. a hall for public lectures or discussions
  2. an association providing public lectures, concerts, and entertainments
  3. lycee

ly·chee ['lē-(,)chē, 'lī-] -n

  1. the oval fruit of a Chinese tree ( Litchi chinensis) of the soapberry family having a hard scaly reddish outer covering and sweet whitish edible flesh that surrounds a single large seed called also lychee nut
  2. a tree bearing lychees

lychgate ['lich-,gāt] -n

  1. a roofed gate in a churchyard under which a bier rests during the initial part of the burial service

lych·nis ['lik-nəs] -n

  1. any of a genus ( Lychnis) of north-temperate zone herbs of the pink family with terminal cymes of showy mostly red or white flowers having five or rarely four styles

Ly·cian ['li-sh(ē-)ən] -n, adj

  1. a native or inhabitant of Lycia
  2. an Anatolian language of the Indo-European language family

ly·co·pene ['lī-kə-,pēn] -n

  1. a carotenoid pigment C 40H 56that is the red coloring matter of the tomato

ly·co·pod ['lī-kə-,päd] -n

  1. lycopodium
  2. club moss

ly·co·po·di·um [,lī-kə-'pō-dē-əm] -n

  1. any of a large genus ( Lycopodium) of erect or creeping club mosses with reduced or scalelike evergreen leaves
  2. a fine yellowish flammable powder composed of lycopodium spores and used esp. in pharmacy

Ly·cra ['lī-krə] -trademark

  1. used for a spandex synthetic fiber

lydd·ite ['li-,dīt] -n

  1. a high explosive composed chiefly of picric acid

Lyd·i·an ['li-dē-ən] -n, adj

  1. a native or inhabitant of Lydia
  2. an Anatolian language of the Indo-European language family

lye ['lī] -n

  1. a strong alkaline liquor rich in potassium carbonate leached from wood ashes and used esp. in making soap and for washing
  2. a strong alkaline solution (as of sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide)
  3. a solid caustic (as sodium hydroxide)

ly·gus bug ['lī-gəs-] -n

  1. any of various small sucking bugs (genus Lygus) including some pests of cultivated plants

lying ['lī] -vi, n

(variant of lie)

  1. to be or to stay at rest in a horizontal position : be prostrate : rest, recline
    • lie motionless
    • lie asleep
  2. to assume a horizontal position often used with down
  3. to reside temporarily : stay for the night : lodge
  4. to have sexual intercourse used with with
  5. to remain inactive (as in concealment)
    • lie in wait
  6. to be in a helpless or defenseless state
    • the town lay at the mercy of the invaders
  7. to be or remain in a flat or horizontal position upon a broad support
    • books lying on the table
  8. to have direction : extend
    • the route lay to the west
  9. to occupy a certain relative place or position
    • hills lie behind us
  10. to have a place in relation to something else
    • the real reason lie s deeper
  11. to have an effect through mere presence, weight, or relative position
    • remorse lay heavily on him
  12. to be sustainable or admissible
  13. to remain at anchor or becalmed
  14. to have place : exist
    • the choice lay between fighting or surrendering
  15. consist, belong
    • the success of the book lie s in its direct style
    • responsibility lay with the adults
  16. remain
  17. to remain unused, unsought, or uncared for
  18. lay
  19. the position or situation in which something lies
    • a golf ball in a difficult lie
  20. the haunt of an animal (as a fish) : covert
  21. an act or instance of lying or resting
  22. to make an untrue statement with intent to deceive
  23. to create a false or misleading impression
  24. to bring about by telling lies
    • lied his way out of trouble
  25. an assertion of something known or believed by the speaker to be untrue with intent to deceive
  26. an untrue or inaccurate statement that may or may not be believed true by the speaker
  27. something that misleads or deceives
  28. a charge of lying

ly·ingin [,lī-iŋ-'in] -n

  1. the state attending and consequent to childbirth : confinement

Lyme disease ['līm-] -n

  1. an acute inflammatory disease that is caused by a spirochete ( Borrelia burgdorferi) transmitted by ticks (genus Ixodesand esp. I. dammini), that is usu. characterized initially by a spreading red annular erythematous skin lesion and by fatigue, fever, and chills, and that if left untreated may later manifest itself in joint pain, arthritis, and cardiac and neurological disorders called also Lyme

lymph ['lim(p)f] -n

  1. the sap of plants
  2. a usu. clear coagulable fluid that passes from intercellular spaces of body tissue into the lymphatic vessels, is discharged into the blood by way of the thoracic duct, and resembles blood plasma in containing white blood cells and esp. lymphocytes but normally few red blood cells and no platelets

lymph- -comb form

  1. lymph : lymphatic tissue
    • lympho granuloma

lymph·ad·e·ni·tis [,lim-,fa-də-'nī-təs] -n

  1. inflammation of lymph nodes

lymph·ade·nop·a·thy [,lim-,fa-də-'nä-pə-thē] -n

  1. abnormal enlargement of the lymph nodes

lymph·an·gi·og·ra·phy [,lim-,fan-jē-'ä-grə-fē] -n, adj

  1. X-ray depiction of lymph vessels and nodes after use of a radiopaque material called also lymphography

lym·phat·ic [lim-'fa-tik] -adj, adv

  1. of, relating to, or produced by lymph, lymphoid tissue, or lymphocytes
  2. conveying lymph
  3. lacking physical or mental energy : sluggish

lymphatic -n

  1. a vessel that contains or conveys lymph called also lymph vessel

lymphatic system -n

  1. the part of the circulatory system that is concerned esp. with scavenging fluids and proteins which have escaped from cells and tissues and returning them to the blood, with the phagocytic removal of cellular debris and foreign material, and with the immune response and that consists esp. of lymphoid tissue, lymph, and lymph-transporting vessels called also lymph system

lymph·ede·ma [,lim(p)-fi-'dē-mə] -n

  1. edema due to faulty lymphatic drainage

lymph gland -n

  1. lymph node

lymph node -n

  1. any of the rounded masses of lymphoid tissue that are surrounded by a capsule of connective tissue, are distributed along the lymphatic vessels, and contain numerous lymphocytes which filter the flow of lymph passing through the node

lym·pho·blast ['lim(p)-fə-,blast] -n, adj

  1. a lymphocyte that has enlarged following stimulation by an antigen, has the capacity to recognize the stimulating antigen, and is undergoing proliferation and differentiation either to an effector state in which it functions to eliminate the antigen or to a memory state in which it functions to recognize the future reappearance of the antigen

lym·pho·cyte ['lim(p)-fə-,sīt] -n, adj

  1. any of the colorless weakly motile cells originating from stem cells and differentiating in lymphoid tissue (as of the thymus or bone marrow) that are the typical cellular elements of lymph, include the cellular mediators of immunity, and constitute 20 to 30 percent of the white blood cells of normal human blood

lymphocytic cho·rio·men·in·gi·tis [-,kȯr-ē-ō-,me-nən-'jī-təs] -n

  1. an acute disease that is caused by an arenavirus (species Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virusof the genus Arenavirus), that is characterized by fever, nausea and vomiting, headache, stiff neck, and slow pulse, that is marked by the presence of numerous lymphocytes in the cerebrospinal fluid, and that is transmitted esp. by rodents

lymphocytic leukemia -n

  1. leukemia of either of two types marked by an abnormal increase in the number of white blood cells (as lymphocytes) which accumulate esp. in bone marrow, lymphoid tissue, and circulating blood called also lymphatic leukemia

lym·pho·cy·to·sis [,lim(p)-fə-,sī-'tō-səs, -fə-sə-] -n

  1. an increase in the number of lymphocytes in the blood usu. associated with chronic infections or inflammations

lym·pho·gran·u·lo·ma ['lim(p)-fō-,gran-yə-'lō-mə] -n

  1. lymphogranuloma venereum

lymphogranuloma in·gui·na·le [-,iŋ-gwə-'nä-lē, -'na-, -'nā-] -n

  1. lymphogranuloma venereum

lym·pho·gran·u·lo·ma·to·sis [-,lō-mə-'tō-səs] -n

  1. the development of benign or malignant nodular swellings of lymph nodes in various parts of the body
  2. a condition characterized by these

lymphogranuloma ve·ne·re·um [-və-'nir-ē-əm] -n

  1. a contagious venereal disease caused by various strains of a chlamydia ( Chlamydia trachomatis) that is marked by painful swelling and inflammation of the lymph nodes esp. in the region of the groin

lym·phog·ra·phy [lim-'fä-grə-fē] -n, adj

  1. lymphangiography

lym·phoid ['lim-,fȯid] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or being tissue (as of the lymph nodes or thymus) containing lymphocytes
  2. of, relating to, or resembling lymph

lym·pho·kine ['lim(p)-fə-,kīn] -n

  1. any of various substances (as interleukin-2) of low molecular weight that are not antibodies, are secreted by T cells in response to stimulation by antigens, and have a role (as the activation of macrophages or the enhancement or inhibition of antibody production) in cell-mediated immunity

lym·pho·ma [lim-'fō-mə] -n, adj

  1. a usu. malignant tumor of lymphoid tissue

lym·pho·ma·to·sis [(,)lim-,fō-mə-'tō-səs] -n

  1. the presence of multiple lymphomas in the body

lym·pho·sar·co·ma [,lim(p)-fə-sär-'kō-mə] -n

  1. a malignant lymphoma that tends to metastasize freely

lynch ['linch] -vt, n

  1. to put to death (as by hanging) by mob action without legal sanction

lynch law -n

  1. the punishment of presumed crimes or offenses usu. by death without due process of law

lynchpin ['linch-,pin] -n

(variant of linchpin)

  1. a locking pin inserted crosswise (as through the end of an axle or shaft)
  2. one that serves to hold together parts or elements that exist or function as a unit
    • the linchpin in the defense's case

lynx ['liŋ(k)s] -n

  1. : any of several wildcats with relatively long legs, a short stubby tail, mottled coat, and often tufted ears that are thought to comprise a distinct genus ( Lynx) of the cat family or to be part of a genus ( Felis) that includes the domestic cat and cougar as
  2. a lynx ( L. lynx) of northern Europe and Asia
  3. bobcat
  4. a No. American lynx ( L. canadensis) distinguished from the bobcat by its larger size, longer tufted ears, and wholly black tail tip called also Canadian lynx

lynxeyed ['liŋ(k)s-,īd] -adj

  1. sharp-sighted

ly·on·naise [,lī-ə-'nāz] -adj

  1. prepared with onions
    • lyonnaise potatoes

Ly·on·nesse [,lī-ə-'nes] -n

  1. a country that according to Arthurian legend was contiguous to Cornwall before sinking beneath the sea

lyo·phile ['lī-ə-,fīl] -adj

  1. of or relating to freeze-drying
  2. obtained by freeze-drying

lyo·phil·ic [,lī-ə-'fi-lik] -adj

  1. marked by strong affinity between a dispersed phase and the liquid in which it is dispersed
    • a lyophilic colloid

ly·oph·i·lise [lī-'ä-fə-,līz] -vt, n

(variant of lyophilize)

  1. freeze-dry

ly·oph·i·lize [lī-'ä-fə-,līz] -vt, n

  1. freeze-dry

Ly·ra ['lī-rə] -n

  1. a northern constellation representing the lyre of Orpheus or Mercury and containing Vega

ly·rate ['lī-,rāt] -adj

  1. having or suggesting the shape of a lyre
    • the lyrate horns of the impala

lyre ['lī(-ə)r] -n

  1. a stringed instrument of the harp class having an approximately U-shaped frame and used by the ancient Greeks esp. to accompany song and recitation
  2. lyra

lyre·bird [-,bərd] -n

  1. either of two Australian passerine birds (genus Menura) distinguished in the male by very long tail feathers displayed in the shape of a lyre during courtship

lyr·ic ['lir-ik] -n

  1. a lyric composition
  2. a lyric poem
  3. the words of a song often used in pl.

lyric -adj

  1. suitable for singing to the lyre or for being set to music and sung
  2. of, relating to, or being drama set to music
  3. operatic
    • lyric stage
  4. expressing direct usu. intense personal emotion esp. in a manner suggestive of song
    • lyric poetry
  5. exuberant, rhapsodic
  6. having a light voice and a melodic style

lyr·i·cal ['lir-i-kəl] -adj, adv, n

  1. lyric

lyr·i·cism ['lir-ə-,si-zəm] -n

  1. the quality or state of being lyric : songfulness
  2. an intense personal quality expressive of feeling or emotion in an art (as poetry or music)
  3. exuberance
    • the sort of author who inspires lyricism or invective, not judicious interpretation -- Time

lyr·i·cist [-sist] -n

  1. a writer of lyrics

lyr·ism ['lir-,i-zəm] -n

  1. lyricism

lyr·ist -n

  1. a player on the lyre
  2. lyricist

lys- -comb form

  1. lysis
    • lys in

ly·sate ['lī-,sāt] -n

  1. a product of lysis

lyse ['līs, 'līz] -vb

  1. to cause to undergo lysis
  2. to undergo lysis

Ly·sen·ko·ism [lə-'seŋ-kō-,i-zəm] -n

  1. a biological doctrine asserting the fundamental influence of somatic and environmental factors on heredity in contradiction of orthodox genetics

ly·ser·gic acid [lə-'sər-jik-, (,)lī-] -n

  1. a crystalline acid C 16H 16N 2O 2from ergotic alkaloids
  2. lsd

lysergic acid di·eth·yl·am·ide [-,dī-,e-thə-'la-,mīd] -n

  1. lsd

ly·sim·e·ter [lī-'si-mə-tər] -n, adj

  1. a device for measuring the percolation of water through soils and for determining the soluble constituents removed in the drainage

ly·sin ['lī-sᵊn] -n

  1. a substance (as an antibody) capable of causing lysis

ly·sine ['lī-,sēn] -n

  1. a crystalline essential amino acid C 6H 14N 2O 2obtained from the hydrolysis of various proteins

ly·sis ['lī-səs] -n

  1. the gradual decline of a disease process (as fever)
  2. a process of disintegration or dissolution (as of cells)

ly·so·gen ['lī-sə-jən] -n

  1. a lysogenic bacterium or bacterial strain

ly·so·gen·ic [,lī-sə-'je-nik] -adj, n

  1. harboring a prophage as hereditary material
    • lysogenic bacteria
  2. temperate
    • lysogenic viruses

ly·sog·e·nise [lī-'sä-jə-,nīz] -vt, n

(variant of lysogenize)

  1. to render lysogenic

ly·sog·e·nize [lī-'sä-jə-,nīz] -vt, n

  1. to render lysogenic

ly·sog·e·ny [lī-'sä-jə-nē] -n

  1. the state of being lysogenic

ly·so·lec·i·thin [,lī-sə-'le-sə-thən] -n

  1. a hydrolytic substance formed by the enzymatic hydrolysis (as by some snake venoms) of a lecithin

ly·so·some ['lī-sə-,sōm] -n, adj

  1. a saclike cellular organelle that contains various hydrolytic enzymes

ly·so·zyme ['lī-sə-,zīm] -n

  1. a basic bacteriolytic protein that hydrolyzes peptidoglycan and is present in egg white and in human tears and saliva

lyt·ic ['li-tik] -adj, adv

  1. of or relating to lysis or a lysin
  2. productive of or effecting lysis (as of cells)