Lye
/laɪ/noun
A strong alkaline solution used for cleaning, soap-making, and food preparation.
Did you know?The word comes from Old English and was originally tied to the idea of washing with an alkaline liquid made from wood ash, a substance powerful enough to shape soap-making for centuries.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*laujō
“lye, washing liquid”
Old English
OE
lēa
“lye, a strong alkaline solution”
Middle English
ME
lye
“caustic alkaline liquid used for washing”
Modern English
EN
lye
“a strong alkaline solution used in cleaning and soap-making”