lie by
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Sense 1
Meaning · English
To have sex with.
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
Than he lete make a cry thorow all the oste that uppon layne of lyff and lymme […] that no lyege man that longyth to his oste sholde lye be no maydens ne ladyes nother no burgessis wyff that to the cité longis.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Sense 2
Meaning · English
To rest from labour; to take a break.
Register: dated
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “lie by” mean?
To have sex with.
Is “lie by” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.