Emily Dickinson Lexicon

LIE, n.² [Sax. lig or lyge; Sw. lögn; Dan. lögn; D. leugen; G. lug, lüge; Russ. loj. The verb is probably the primary word.]

1. A criminal falsehood; a falsehood uttered for the purpose of deception; an intentional violation of truth. Fiction, or a false statement or representation, not intended to deceive, mislead or injure, as in fables, parables and the like, is not a lie. It is willful deceit that makes a lie. A man may act a lie, as by pointing his finger in a wrong direction, when a traveler inquires of him his road. – Paley.
2. A fiction; in a ludicrous sense. – Dryden.
3. False doctrine. 1 John ii.
4. An idolatrous picture of God, or a false god. Rom. i.
5. That which deceives and disappoints confidence. Micah i. To give the lie, to charge with falsehood. A man's actions may give the lie to his words.