lair

1
[ lair ]
/ lɛər /

noun

a den or resting place of a wild animal: The cougar retired to its lair.
a secluded or hidden place, especially a secret retreat or base of operations; a hideout or hideaway: a pirate's lair.
British. a place in which to lie or rest; a bed.

verb (used with object)

to place in a lair.
to serve as a lair for.

verb (used without object)

to go to, lie in, or have a lair.

Origin of lair

1
before 900; Middle English leir, Old English leger; cognate with Dutch, Old High German leger bed, camp; akin to lie2

Definition for lair (2 of 4)

lair 2
[ lair ]
/ lɛər /

noun

British Dialect. mud; mire.

verb (used without object)

Scot. to sink or stick in mud or mire.

Origin of lair

2
1250–1300; v. use of Middle English lair clay, mire < Old Norse leir clay, loam

Definition for lair (3 of 4)

lair 3
[ lair ]
/ lɛər /

noun Chiefly Scot.

lore; learning.

Origin of lair

3
Middle English (north and Scots) lare, Old English lār lore1

Definition for lair (4 of 4)

lair 4
[ lair ]
/ lɛər /

noun Australian Informal.

a man who dresses garishly and is crude or vulgar; showoff.

Origin of lair

4
First recorded in 1930–35; back formation from lairy

Example sentences from the Web for lair

British Dictionary definitions for lair (1 of 3)

lair 1
/ (lɛə) /

noun

the resting place of a wild animal
informal a place of seclusion or hiding
an enclosure or shed for farm animals
Scot the ground for a grave in a cemetery

verb

(intr) (esp of a wild animal) to retreat to or rest in a lair
(tr) to drive or place (an animal) in a lair

Word Origin for lair

Old English leger; related to lie ² and Old High German leger bed

British Dictionary definitions for lair (2 of 3)

lair 2
/ (ler) /

noun, verb

a Scot word for mire

Word Origin for lair

from Old Norse leir mud

British Dictionary definitions for lair (3 of 3)

lair 3
/ (lɛə) Australian slang /

noun

a flashy man who shows off

verb

(intr; foll by up or around) to behave or dress like a lair

Word Origin for lair

perhaps from leer