lie1
• verb (lying; past lay; past part. lain) 1 be in or assume a horizontal or resting position on a supporting surface. 2 be or remain in a specified state. 3 reside or be found. 4 be situated in a specified position or direction. • noun 1 the way, direction, or position in which something lies or comes to rest. 2 the place of cover of an animal or a bird. — PHRASES let lie take no action regarding (a sensitive matter). lie in state (of the corpse of a person of national importance) be laid in a public place of honour before burial. lie low keep out of sight; avoid attention. the lie (N. Amer. lay) of the land 1 the features or characteristics of an area. 2 the current situation or state of affairs. lie with archaic have sexual intercourse with. take lying down accept (an insult, setback, or rebuke) without protest. — USAGE For the correct use of lay and lie, see the note at LAY1. — ORIGIN Old English.
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