Lich

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /lɪtʃ/
• Rhymes: -ɪtʃ

Origin

From Old English līċ, from Proto-Germanic *līką, from Proto-Indo-European *līg-. Cognate with Dutch lijk, German Leiche, Norwegian lik, Swedish lik, Danish lig. Compare like, -like, -ly.

Full definition of lich

Noun

1. (archaic) A corpse or dead body. from 9th c.
• 1983 , Poul Anderson , Time Patrolman Chapter , She saw him again that eventide, but then he was a reddened lich.
2. (fantasy, roleplay) A reanimated corpse or undead being.
• 1974, Karl Edward Wagner, ‘Sticks’:It was a lich’s face – desiccated flesh tight over its skull.

Derived terms

• lichgate
• lych-gate