Forms: see LIE v.2 [f. LIE v.2 + -ING2.]
1. Of a person, his lips, etc.: That tells lies.
1535. Coverdale, Ps. cxix. 2. Deliuer my soule (o Lorde) from lyenge lippes.
1593. Shaks., 2 Hen. VI., II. i. 126. Then, Saunder, sit there, the lying’st Knaue in Christendome.
1610. B. Jonson, Alch., IV. iv. Do not beleeue him, Sir. He is the lying’st Swabber!
1611. Bible, Prov. x. 18. Hee that hideth hatred with lying lippes … is a foole.
a. 1758. Ramsay, Eagle & Robin, 44. With a wickit lieand tung.
1886. W. J. Tucker, E. Europe, 158. A canting, lying, hypocritical set.
2. Of impersonal things: Untruthful, mendacious; hence, deceitful, false.
a. 1225. Juliana, 2. Ant of þis lihinde lif leade us … into þe eche of heouene.
a. 1340. Hampole, Psalter, i. 4. His worde sall noght … dissayuabile ne leghynge.
1535. Coverdale, Jer. vii. 4. Trust not in false lyenge wordes.
1611. Bible, Ps. xxxi. 6. I haue hated them that regard lying vanities.
1718. Prior, Solomon, II. 673. And slavish bards our mutual loves rehearse In lying strains.
1855. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., xix. IV. 322. It was much easier … to put forth a lying prospectus.
