lair etymology

Etymology and Origin of "Lair"

The word "lair" has its origins in Middle English, specifically the noun layer (pronounced as "lay-er"), meaning a place where an animal lives. This term, in turn, evolved from Old English leger, which meant "resting place" or "couch."

Meaning of "Lair"

A lair is a shelter or den where a wild animal lives and rests. It often refers to the resting place of predatory animals, particularly big cats such as lions, tigers, and leopards.

Usage Examples

• The lion retreated to its lair after a successful hunt.
• The mama bear was fiercely protective of her cubs in their secluded lair.
• The poachers were searching for the tiger's lair to capture the animal.

Figurative Usage

In addition to its literal meaning, "lair" can also be used figuratively to describe a hidden or protected place where someone or something resides.

• The criminal's lair was discovered by law enforcement.
• The reclusive artist's studio was his private lair.
• The company's headquarters was a towering lair of power and influence.

Other Forms and Related Terms

• Lairing: the act of an animal taking cover in its lair
• Lairwoman/Lairman: a person who takes care of animals in a lair
• Laired: sheltered or hidden in a lair

lair relate terms

• layer

  Etymology Origin Old English leger meaning a stratum or bed Proto Germanic lagriz m

• allay

  Etymology The word allay comes from the Old English word alegian meaning to reliev

• anlage

  Etymology Latin ad to locus place Meaning A place where something is put or k

• belay

  Etymology The word belay comes from the Middle English word beleien meaning to sta

• beleaguer

  Etymology Old French belaguer from Late Latin bellicare from Latin bellicus of w

• bylaw

  Etymology Bylaw is a compound word composed of two separate terms By In legal context

• coverlet

  Etymology Middle English curverled from Anglo Norman French coverlid from Old Fr

• fellow

  Etymology Fellow comes from Middle English felowe which in turn originated from Old

• lager

  Etymology The word lager is derived from the German word lagern which means to sto

• lair

  Etymology and Origin of Lair The word lair has its origins in Middle English specifi

• lawful

  Etymology The word lawful is derived from the Old French word lei law which itsel

• lawless

  Etymology The word lawless is derived from Old English lāwleas which is a compound

• lawsuit

  Etymology Late Middle English lawe sute lawe sute from Anglo Norman French lei sute

• lawyer

  Etymology The word lawyer is derived from the Old French word legiste which in turn

• ledge

  Etymology Old English lecge a resting place berth stratum Meaning A horizont

• ledger

  Etymology The word ledger comes from the Middle English word legger which in turn come

• lees

  Etymology The word lees is derived from the Old English word les or liese which me

• litter

  Etymology Middle English litere litier Old French litiere from Late Latin lectaria

• outlaw

  Etymology The word outlaw has Old English origins Ut out Denoting separation

• stalag

  Etymology Greek stalagmós drop Latin stalagmus dropping water Meaning A

• vorlage

  Etymology The word Vorlage comes from the German word vor meaning before or in fro

• beleaguer

  Etymology Old French belaguer from Late Latin bellicare from Latin bellicus of w

• couch

  Etymology The word couch comes from the Old French couche meaning bed or place t

• rouse

  Etymology Old English rūsian to arouse Related to Old Norse rūsa to shake rouse

• brainstorm

  Etymology Origin Old Norse brainstormr Components brá brow forehead steinn

• start

  Etymology The word start has multiple etymologies depending on its usage Meaning

• habitation

  Etymology The word habitation is derived from the Latin word habitare meaning to dw

• oracle

  Etymology The word oracle derives from the Latin term oraculum which in turn comes f

• seal

  Etymology of Seal The word seal derives from the Old English word seolh which orig