noun
lye
LYE/laɪ/
A strongly alkaline solution used especially for making soap.
The lye solution stands beside the oil and finished soap.
Etymology
Old English leag named water made alkaline by leaching wood ashes. This liquid was used in place of soap, directly connecting the older substance with lye’s cleaning role.
In context
though you wash yourself with lye and use much soap yet your iniquity is marked before me
More examples
- Lye helps break down grease in some drain cleaners.
- The baker uses food-grade lye to give pretzels their dark crust.
- She wears gloves and goggles when handling lye.
Similar words
- alkali
- A broader term for a base that dissolves in water.
- caustic soda
- Specifically sodium hydroxide, which forms lye when dissolved in water.