north. dial. Also 5, 9 ley, (6 pl. lease), 9 lae, leigh. [a. ON. lé (Sw. lia, Da. lee).] A scythe.

1

1483.  Cath. Angl., 211/1. A Ley, or a sythe, falx, falcicula.

2

1528.  in Rogers, Agric. & Prices (1866), III. 567/2. 3 falces called leys.

3

1573.  Richmond. Wills (Surtees, 1853), 242. vij lease, iijs.

4

1781.  J. Hutton, Tour to Caves, Gloss. 92. Lea, a sythe.

5

1855.  Morton, Cycl. Agric., II. 724. Lea or Leigh (Yorks.), a scythe.

6

1877.  Holderness Gloss., Ley.

7

  attrib.  1855.  Robinson, Whitby Gloss., Lea-sand, a fine sand brought from the eastern moorlands, to lay upon the strickle or sharpening tool for the lea.

8

1869.  Lonsdale Gloss., Lea-stone, a scythe-sharpener.

9