Definitions

1. noun

a caustic alkaline substance, sodium hydroxide (NaOH), used in various industries for its cleaning and bleaching properties

“The factory worker carefully handled the lye in the soap-making process.”

2. verb

to soak or treat with lye

“The old wood was lye-bashed to remove the old stain.”

3. verb

to treat with a caustic substance, especially lye

“The tree bark was lye-d to soften it for weaving.”