https://static.wixstatic.com/media/eb68db_7deb1bd10b274eeca38fe2f821b50c0d~mv2.jpg, https://static.wixstatic.com/media/eb68db_5cefdb6ad4434b9b99a58676c1b40199~mv2.jpg, https://static.wixstatic.com/media/eb68db_9a3da47b5c6c4d28ad67e4c4379e8ad8~mv2.jpg
TOEFL 12, Middle School 5, Residence and Solitude
covert,haunt
eb68db_817411c42e4c4cdbab24ad4f7ae95140.mp3
asylum,burrow,hangout,hideaway,hole,lairage,nest,retreat
den, open field, public space, square
lair
IPA
Dictionary definition of lair
A hidden or secluded place where a person or animal, often of a predatory nature, seeks shelter, safety, or refuge.
"The police raided the criminal's lair and made several arrests."
Detailed meaning of lair
It typically carries connotations of secrecy and concealment. In the natural world, animals like bears, wolves, and big cats may have lairs, which serve as their dens or resting places. In a broader sense, the term can be used metaphorically to describe any location where someone or something hides or resides, often with a sense of mystery or danger. For instance, a criminal might be said to have a lair where they plan their unlawful activities. The term is commonly associated with a sense of intrigue and the unknown, making it a popular choice in literature, movies, and storytelling to create an aura of suspense or mystique.
Example sentences containing lair
1. The bear found a cozy lair in the deep forest.
2. The villain concealed his plans in his secret lair.
3. The dragon guarded its treasure in a mountain lair.
4. The spy operated from an underground lair.
5. The cat made a comfortable lair in the attic.
6. The hermit lived in a remote mountain lair.
History and etymology of lair
The noun 'lair' has its origins in Old English, where it was spelled as 'leger.' It is related to the Old Norse word 'lega,' both of which mean 'a resting place' or 'a bed.' In its early usage, 'lair' referred to a hidden or secluded place where a person or animal, often of a predatory nature, seeks shelter, safety, or refuge. These hidden resting places were typically used by animals like wolves or other predators as a base for hunting or as a secure location to raise their young. Over time, the term 'lair' expanded its meaning to describe any concealed or secluded shelter or dwelling, and it has been used in literature and storytelling to evoke a sense of secrecy or danger associated with hidden places. The etymology of 'lair' underscores its historical connection to the idea of a concealed resting place, often associated with animals and their predatory instincts.
Further usage examples of lair
1. The wolf retreated to its snowy lair.
2. The criminal's lair was hidden beneath the city.
3. The pirate hid his loot in a hidden island lair.
4. The bats hung upside down in their cave lair.
5. The eagle nested in a high mountain lair.
6. The vampire chose a crypt as its dark lair.
7. The serpent lurked in its subterranean lair.
8. The spy's secret lair was equipped with advanced technology.
9. The bandit used a cave as a temporary lair.
10. The squirrel's lair was nestled in a tall tree.
11. The grizzly bear prepared for hibernation in its den lair.
12. The detective searched for clues in the criminal's lair.
13. The hidden lair was revealed by a hidden trapdoor.
14. The mysterious creature's lair was a topic of local legends.
15. The villagers warned travelers to beware of the bandits' lair.
16. The bear retreated to its lair in the woods.
17. The wolves howled from their hidden lair in the hills.
18. The fox dug a burrow to use as its lair.
19. The lair was well-hidden among the rocks and trees.
20. The hunters tracked the animal to its lair.
21. The lair was filled with bones and remnants of previous meals.
22. The animal emerged from its lair to hunt for food.
23. The lair provided shelter from the harsh winter weather.
24. The lair was located in an abandoned warehouse on the edge of town.
25. The explorers discovered the hidden lair of a lost civilization.
