† chamber-lye ? Obs. exc. dial.
(ˈtʃeɪmbəlaɪ, -lɪ)
Also 6 -ley, 6–8 -lie, -ly, 7–8 -lee.
[f. chamber n. + lye. (Cf. Ger. Kammerlauge in Grimm.)]
Urine; esp. as used for washing, etc.
| 1577 B. Googe Heresbach's Husb. iii. (1586) 135 b, Take Chamberly, and Salte, and seeth them to gether, and washe the places where the skinne is cut of. 1596 Shakes. 1 Hen. IV, ii. i. 23 Your Chamber-lye breeds Fleas like a Loach. 1660 Sharrock Vegetables 91. 1664 Cotton Poet. Wks. (1765) 51 She..wash'd her hands in Chamber-lee. 1713 Lond. & Countr. Brew. iv. (1743) 296 That nasty, horrid, and detestable Piece of Cunning and Knavery..commonly practised in a certain famous Metropolis of putting Chamberlye, or human Urine, into their pale or Amber Two⁓penny Malt Drink. c 1842 E. J. Lance Cott. Farm. 7 Refuse water from the house, particularly soap-suds, (which contain potash), chamberlye, etc. 1877 Holderness Gloss. (E.D.S.), Chaymerly, urine. Formerly preserved in tubs, for washing, to soften the water and save soap. |