Lye: meaning, definitions and examples
🧪
lye
[ laɪ ]
chemical substance
Lye is a strong alkaline solution typically made from sodium hydroxide (NaOH) or potassium hydroxide (KOH). It is commonly used in the manufacture of soap and as a drain cleaner due to its ability to break down fats and organic matter.
Synonyms
caustic soda, potassium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide.
Examples of usage
- He used lye to make homemade soap.
- Be careful when handling lye, as it can cause burns.
- The recipe called for lye to create the proper texture.
- Lye is effective for unclogging drains.
Translations
Translations of the word "lye" in other languages:
🇵🇹 soda cáustica
🇮🇳 सोडियम हाइड्रॉक्साइड
🇩🇪 Lauge
🇮🇩 natrium hidroksida
🇺🇦 лужний розчин
🇵🇱 soda kaustyczna
🇯🇵 苛性ソーダ
🇫🇷 soude caustique
🇪🇸 lejía
🇹🇷 kostik soda
🇰🇷 가성 소다
🇸🇦 صودا كاوية
🇨🇿 louh
🇸🇰 žieravá sóda
🇨🇳 氢氧化钠
🇸🇮 caustična soda
🇮🇸 kaustísk sóda
🇰🇿 сода каустикалық
🇬🇪 კაუსტიკური სოდა
🇦🇿 kaustik soda
🇲🇽 lejía
Etymology
The word 'lye' originates from the Old English word 'lye', which means 'potash' or 'lye'. This word is derived from the Germanic root 'lūgō', meaning 'to wash'. Historically, lye was traditionally obtained by leaching wood ash, which is rich in potassium carbonate. In ancient times, lye was used primarily in the process of making soap from animal fats and plant oils, a practice observed in various cultures. The modern chemical versions of lye, such as sodium hydroxide, were developed in the 19th century as industrial demand for soap production increased. Today, lye is not only essential in soap making but also has applications in various industries, including food processing and cleaning products. The handling of lye requires caution due to its caustic nature, and it is often highlighted in safety protocols for both industrial and domestic use.