lee

Everyday

1. The lee is the side of something that is sheltered from the wind, like the lee of a wall or a hill. tree →
2. On a boat the lee side is the side away from the wind. tree →
3. Lee is also a common first name and surname. tree →

In the lessons

In geography and weather lessons, the lee side of a mountain is drier because rain falls on the windward side first; this is called a rain shadow. In sailing and camping, you shelter «in the lee of» a rock or a hedge. Phrases: «in the lee of», «the lee side», «leeward». As a name it is written with a capital: Lee.

Examples

• We ate our picnic in the lee of a big rock, out of the wind. tree →
• The lee side of the mountain gets very little rain. tree →
• Sheep crowded in the lee of the stone wall. tree →
• The boat waited in the lee of the island until the storm passed. tree →
• My friend Lee lives next door. tree →
• Pitch your tent in the lee of the hedge. tree →

Note

Mostly used in the phrase «in the lee of». The opposite is «windward» (facing the wind); «leeward» means on the lee side. As a name it needs a capital letter. Homophone: «lea» (an old word for a meadow).

In Jewish tradition

Here "lees" means the thick bits that settle at the bottom of wine. Wine on the lees was rich and strong, and well refined.

Interpretation. Isaiah's feast for all peoples is read as a picture of the good world that is to come.

Examples

• And in this mountain will the LORD of hosts make unto all peoples a feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of wines on the lees well refined. (Prophets ISA.25.6, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Mostly used in the phrase «in the lee of». The opposite is «windward» (facing the wind); «leeward» means on the lee side. As a name it needs a capital letter. Homophone: «lea» (an old word for a meadow).