lair
1 Americannoun
-
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)
noun
verb (used without object)
noun
noun
noun
-
the resting place of a wild animal
-
informal a place of seclusion or hiding
-
an enclosure or shed for farm animals
-
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
noun
verb
noun
Etymology
Origin of lair1
First recorded before 900; Middle English leir(e), lair, lare, Old English leger; cognate with Dutch, Old High German leger “bed, camp,” Afrkaans laager “defensive circle of wagons,” German Lager “storehouse”; akin to lie 2
Origin of lair2
First recorded in 1300–50; verb use of Middle English lair “clay, mire,” from Old Norse leir ”clay, mud”
Origin of lair3
Middle English lōre, laire (north and Scots lare, lere ), Old English lār “teaching, instruction”; lore 1
Origin of lair4
First recorded in 1930–35; back formation from lairy
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Have I stumbled up against the lair of one of those flame-breathing dragon monsters?
From Literature
At first I saw what I would expect to see in a witch’s lair.
From Literature
It roared, and the sound was like thunder, beating and echoing around the walls of the lair.
From Literature
Ownership of the Grinch’s likeness is guarded as jealously as the villain protects his lair: Dr. Seuss Enterprises holds the rights to the children’s book, Warner Bros.
From Los Angeles Times
A Demogorgon drags an unconscious Will to Vecna’s lair, and Vecna ominously says they can begin their work “at long last.”
From Los Angeles Times
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
