lee

1
[ lee ]
/ li /

noun

protective shelter: The lee of the rock gave us some protection against the storm.
the side or part that is sheltered or turned away from the wind: We erected our huts under the lee of the mountain.
Chiefly Nautical. the quarter or region toward which the wind blows.

adjective

pertaining to, situated in, or moving toward the lee.

Idioms for lee

    by the lee, Nautical. accidentally against what should be the lee side of a sail: Careless steering brought the wind by the lee.
    under the lee, Nautical. to leeward.

Origin of lee

1
before 900; Middle English; Old English hlēo(w) shelter, cognate with Old Frisian hli, hly, Old Saxon hleo, Old Norse hlé

Definition for lee (2 of 3)

lee 2
[ lee ]
/ li /

noun

Usually lees. the insoluble matter that settles from a liquid, especially from wine; sediment; dregs.

Origin of lee

2
1350–1400; Middle English lie < Middle French < Medieval Latin lia, probably < Gaulish *lig(j)a; compare Old Irish lige bed, akin to Old English gelege bed. See lie2

Definition for lee (3 of 3)

Lee
[ lee ]
/ li /

noun

Example sentences from the Web for lee

British Dictionary definitions for lee (1 of 3)

lee
/ (liː) /

noun

a sheltered part or side; the side away from the direction from which the wind is blowing
by the lee nautical so that the wind is blowing on the wrong side of the sail
under the lee nautical towards the lee

adjective

(prenominal) nautical on, at, or towards the side or part away from the wind on a lee shore Compare weather (def. 5)

Word Origin for lee

Old English hlēow shelter; related to Old Norse hle

British Dictionary definitions for lee (2 of 3)

Lee 1
/ (liː) /

noun

a river in SW Republic of Ireland, flowing east into Cork Harbour. Length: about 80 km (50 miles)

British Dictionary definitions for lee (3 of 3)

Lee 2
/ (liː) /

noun