lye
Other forms: lyes
Lye is an alkaline solution that's used for cleaning. If you were a maid about 200 years ago, you probably cleaned the chamber pots with lye.
Lye is an old cleaning product and an old word too. It comes from the Old English léag, which is related to the root for "wash" in our word lather. Lye is still used to make soap, but you probably won't come across the word except in old novels. If you become a historical re-enactor, say goodbye to body wash and hello to lye.
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a strong solution of sodium or potassium hydroxide
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types:
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caustic potash, potash, potassium hydroxide
a potassium compound often used in agriculture and industry
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caustic soda, sodium hydroxide
a strongly alkaline caustic used in manufacturing soap and paper and aluminum and various sodium compounds
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type of:
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caustic
any chemical substance that burns or destroys living tissue
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caustic potash, potash, potassium hydroxide
/laɪ/
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Vocabulary lists containing lye
Because his family is in witness protection, fifteen-year-old Nick Pearson (not his real name) is supposed to remain low-key, but he has trouble doing that when another member of the Stepton High newspaper uncovers some secrets.
Based on the true story of the settlement of Jamestown, this novel follows twelve-year-old Samuel Collier as he goes from being an orphan on the streets of London to the page of Captain John Smith on his journey to the New World.
After a birthday gift brings magic to eleven-year-old Willodeen and her friend Connor, Willodeen goes on a mission to protect her favorite strange beasts known as screechers.
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