lyke

A knight stands vigil over the lyke in the chapel.

Definition

1. Noun (archaic):
   • Corpse or dead body: "lyke" is an archaic term referring to a human corpse or dead body, especially one laid out for burial or viewing.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The mourners gathered around the lyke to pay their final respects. (The dead body was laid out for viewing.)
  • In olden times, a lyke-wake was held to watch over the deceased before burial. (A vigil kept over a corpse.)

Advanced Usage

• "lyke-wake" (also "lykewake"): a vigil or watch kept over a dead body before burial, often involving feasting or drinking in some traditions.
  • The village held a lyke-wake for the elderly farmer, with neighbours taking turns to sit by the coffin. (A traditional wake for the deceased.)

Variants and Related Words

• Lyke is an alternative spelling of "lich" or "lych," which has the same meaning of a dead body.
  • The old churchyard contained a lych-gate, where the lyke was brought before burial. (A covered gate for a corpse.)

Synonyms

• Corpse: a dead body, especially of a human.
• Carcass: a dead body of an animal (sometimes used for humans in derogatory or archaic contexts).
• Remains: the physical body after death.

Related Idioms