Standard Lemma guide

lias

name · noun · 6 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • UK, US: /ˈliəs/
  • rhymes with -iəs

1

name

Meaning 1

A stratigraphic group from the lower Jurassic of Western Europe, consisting of thin layers of blue limestone.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: geography, geology, natural-sciences

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

name

Meaning 2

The lower Jurassic.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: obsolete

Topics: geography, geology, natural-sciences

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

name

Meaning 3

A surname.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

noun

Meaning 4

A type of blue limestone present in parts of southern England and Wales.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: uncountable

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

5

noun

Meaning 5

Alternative letter-case form of Lias.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: alt-of, uncountable

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

6

noun

Meaning 6

plural of LIA

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: form-of, plural

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

See lias.

Originally dialectal, from Old French liois (“compact limestone”) (French liais), from Medieval Latin liae, plural of lia; doublet of lees (which is via Latin lias). Ultimate origin uncertain, possibly a Celtic word (such as Gaulish *ligyā) from Proto-Celtic *legyā, from Proto-Indo-European *legh- (“to lie (down)”). Compare Loire and Leicester.