▪ I. lier
(ˈlaɪə(r))
[f. lie v.1 + -er1.]
a. One who lies, in senses of the vb.
| 1596 Dalrymple tr. Leslie's Hist. Scot. v. 292 The Scotis sa blyth of that Victorie and proud..heidet thair the deid lyeris. 1737 Bracken Farriery Impr. (1757) II. 72 Chusing a Horse that is a good Lier, or such a one as lays himself down often... There is a great Difference in Horses, with relation to their being good or bad Liers. |
b. With advs. or advb. phrases. † lier-by, a kept mistress (cf. lie-by 1, lig-by). Obs.
| 1583 B. Melbancke Philotimus Aa iij, It is a Prouerbe in Englande that the men of Tiuidal borderers on y⊇ english midle marches, haue likers, lemmons, and lyerbies. 1608 Willet Hexapla Exod. 394 These whom the Apostle calls αρσενοκοιται, liers with men. 1611 Bible Joshua viii. 14 There were liers in ambush against him. ― Judg. ix. 25 And the men of Shechem set lyers in wait for him. 1657 Fuller Serm., Best Employment 10 He [our Saviour] was no large lier on bed. 1827 Carlyle Germ. Rom. I. 25 She turned the corner with her, and escaped the eyes of the lier-in-wait. 1844 M. Howitt My Own Story x. 101 The old squire was a late lier in bed. |
▪ II. lier(e
obs. form of liar.
▪ III. lier
obs. var. leer n.3