[f. phr. to lie by: see LIE v.1 20.]
1. A concubine, mistress. Now dial. (Cf. LIG-BY.)
a. 1656. Ussher, Ann., vi. (1658), 132. He obtained this favour … by the means of his Lie-by; which was a wench of Eretria.
1825–80. Jamieson, Ly-by … 2. A mistress, a concubine. Fife.
1886. Elworthy, W. Somerset Word-bk., s.v., Why, her wad’n never no better’n Squire ——’s lie by, and now her’s anybody’s.
† 2. A neutral. (Cf. by-lier s.v. BY- B. 2 a.)
16[?]. Postscript to Rutherford’s Lett. (1857), 569. Their Master [Satan] fearing little, or finding little damage to his dominion, by these lazy ly-byes and idle loiterers.
a. 1687. R. McWard, Earnest Contend. for Faith (1723), 354 (Jam.). Such an heroick Appearance, now in its proper Season, would make you live and die Ornaments to your Profession, while Ly-bys will stink away in their Sockets.
3. (See quot.)
1840. Evid. Hull Docks Comm., 31. What is called a lie-by, or recess, to enable vessels to pass.
