Lith

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /liθ/

From Middle English lith, lyth, from Old English liþ ("limb, member, joint, tip of finger, point"), from Proto-Germanic *liþuz ("limb"), from Proto-Indo-European *(e)lAi- ("to bend"). Cognate with Scots lith ("part of the body, joint"), West Frisian lid ("part of the body, member"), Dutch lid ("limb, member, section"), Middle High German lit ("limb, member"), Swedish led ("joint, link, channel"), Icelandic liður ("item"), Dutch lid ("part of the body; member") and gelid ("joint, rank, file"), German Glied ("limb, member, link").

Alternative forms

• lythe 15th century

Full definition of lith

Noun

1. (UK dialectal) A limb; any member of the body.
2. (UK dialectal) A joint; a segment or symmetrical part or division.lith and limbout of lith
• 1485, Sir Thomas Malory, Le Morte Darthur, Book IV:there the ladyes hors stumbled and threwe her doun that her arme was sore brysed and nere she swouned for payne. Allas syr sayd the lady myn arme is out of lythe wher thorow I must nedes reste me ....
3. (Scotland) A segment of an orange, or similar fruit.

From Middle English lith, lyth ("owndom"), from Old Norse lýðr ("people, lede"), from Proto-Germanic *liudiz ("men, people"), from Proto-Indo-European *(e)lewedʰ- ("man, people"). Cognate with Dutch lieden and lui, German Leute ("people"), Old English lēode ("people"). More at lede.

Noun

1. Owndom; property.

From Middle English *lith, from Old Norse hlið ("a gap, gate, space"), from Proto-Germanic *hliþą ("door, lid, eyelid"), from Proto-Indo-European *kel- ("to conceal, hide"). Cognate with Norwegian dialectal lid, led ("an opening in a fence"), Scots lith ("a gap in a fence, gate opening"), Old English hlid ("lid, covering, door, gate, opening"). More at lid.

Noun

1. (UK dialectal) A gate; a gap in a fence.

Anagrams

• hilt