lie-by
[f. phr. to lie by: see lie v.1 21.]
1. A concubine, mistress. Now dial. (Cf. lig-by.)
| a 1656 Ussher Ann. vi. (1658) 132 He obtained this favour..by the means of his Lie-by; which was a wench of Eretria. 1825–80 Jamieson, Ly-by..2. A mistress, a concubine. Fife. 1886 Elworthy W. Somerset Word-bk. s.v., Why, her wad'n never no better'n Squire ―'s lie by, and now her's anybody's. |
† 2. A neutral. (Cf. by-lier s.v. by- B. 2 a.)
| 16.. Postscript to Rutherford's Lett. (1857) 569 Their Master [Satan] fearing little, or finding little damage to his dominion, by these lazy ly-byes and idle loiterers. 1723 M{supc}Ward Earnest Contend. 354 (Jam.) Such an heroick appearance,..would make you live and die ornaments to your profession, while ly-bys will stink away in their sockets. |
3. (See quot.)
| 1840 Evid. Hull Docks Comm. 31 What is called a lie-by, or recess, to enable vessels to pass. |