Word
lire
US/ˈɫɪɹə/
UK/lˈaɪə/
Definitions
01currency
n. the plural form of lira, which was the money used in Italy before the Euro.
n. the plural form of lira, the former basic monetary unit of Italy, San Marino, and the Vatican City, replaced by the euro in 2002.
“Before the euro was introduced, you would pay for your coffee in lire.”
“The traveler found an old jar filled with thousands of Italian lire that were no longer legal tender but held sentimental value.”
Usage
The plural of 'lira'; in English, the plural 'lire' is used specifically for the Italian currency context.
02flesh or muscle
n. a very old or local word for the fleshy part of a person or animal.
n. the fleshy or muscular part of a body, as distinguished from the bones and skin.
“The old butcher described the lire of the meat as being particularly tender.”
“In traditional Scots poetry, the poet might praise the whiteness of a lady's lire, referring to her fair skin.”
Dialect · Archaic · Literary
Usage
Primarily found in Northern English and Scots dialects; largely obsolete in standard modern English.
Antonyms
03complexion or face
n. a local word for the look of someone's face or their skin color.
n. the appearance of the face, skin, or complexion.
“The ballad described the maiden with a lire as white as milk.”
“The archaic text remarked upon his healthy lire, suggesting a life spent in the outdoors rather than in the city.”
Dialect · Literary
Usage
Used in historical Scottish literature to describe physical beauty or health.
Synonyms
Etymology
From Middle English lire, lyre, from Old English līra (“any fleshy part of the body, muscle, calf of the leg”), from Proto-Germanic ligwizô, lihwizô (“thigh, groin”), from Proto-Indo-European lekʷs-, lewks- (“groin”). Cognate with Dutch lies (“groin”), Swedish lår (“thigh”).
From Middle English lire, lyre, from Old Norse hlýr (“cheeks”, plural). Compare Middle English lere, from Old English hlēor (“cheek, countenance, complexion”). More at leer.
From Old Norse líri. Cognate with Norwegian lira.
From Italian lire.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/lire