1. That which covers the opening of a vessel or box, etc.; a movable cover; as, the lid of a chest or trunk.

2. The cover of the eye; an eyelid. "Tears, big tears, gushed from the rough soldier's lid." (Byron)

3. <botany> The cover of the spore cases of mosses. A calyx which separates from the flower, and falls off in a single piece, as in the Australian Eucalypti.


Origin: AS. Hlid, fr. Hlidan (in comp) to cover, shut; akin to OS. Hlidan (in comp), D. Lid, OHG. Hlit, G. Augenlid eyelid, Icel. Hli gate, gateway.

(01 Mar 1998)