lair

/leə/

Thân thiện

The fox returns to its lair in the hillside.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • The den or resting place of a wild animal: A "lair" is a sheltered place, often a cave, hole, or thicket, where a wild animal lives, sleeps, or hides.
   • (Figurative) A secret or private place for a person: Used metaphorically to describe a place where someone, especially someone with sinister intentions, hides or operates from.

Examples of Usage

• Noun (Animal's dwelling):
  • The bear returned to its lair after hunting.
  • Trackers followed the footprints to the wolf's lair.
• Noun (Figurative, human hideout):
  • The thieves operated from a hidden lair in the old warehouse district.
  • In the story, the villain had a secret lair inside the volcano.

Advanced Usage

• "to retire to one's lair": to go back to one's private or secluded place.
  • After a long day of meetings, he retired to his lair to read.
• Used in literature and media to evoke a sense of danger, secrecy, or the primitive nature of a dwelling.

Variants and Related Words

• Den (n): A wild animal's lair; also a cozy human room. (e.g., )
• Hideout (n): A place where someone hides, especially from the authorities.
• Burrow (n): A hole or tunnel dug by a small animal as a dwelling.

Synonyms

• Den: Often interchangeable, though "den" can imply a cozier, more enclosed space.
• Habitat: The natural environment of an animal (broader than "lair").
• Hideaway: A place used for hiding or as a retreat.

Related Phrases

• "The lion's lair": A common phrase symbolizing a dangerous or powerful place one must enter.
  • Entering the CEO's office felt like walking into the lion's lair.

Related Idioms

• "Beard the lion in his lair": To confront a powerful or dangerous person in their own domain.
  • The journalist was determined to beard the corrupt official in his lair.

Học thuật

Noun

1. the habitation of wild animals

Từ đồng nghĩa

• den