Pronunciation: [lˈe͡ə] (IPA) 
The word "lair" is spelled with four letters, but its pronunciation can be a bit tricky. The IPA phonetic transcription for "lair" is /lɛər/. The symbol "ɛ" represents the "e" sound in "bet" and the "ə" symbol represents the "uh" sound in "sofa". Therefore, the word "lair" has two syllables: "lay-uh". It means a wild animal's den or resting place, and it's important to spell it correctly to clearly communicate one's thoughts in written form.
A lair is a noun that refers to a hiding place or a den used by a wild animal or, in a metaphorical sense, by a person or group who wants to remain hidden or secretive. The term is predominantly associated with animals, particularly predatory ones like wolves, bears, or big cats, but can also extend to reptiles or other creatures. A lair serves as a refuge or shelter for these animals where they retreat to rest, sleep, give birth, or protect themselves from threats. It is typically found in natural surroundings such as caves, hollow tree trunks, rock formations, or underground burrows.
Beyond the animal kingdom, in a metaphorical context, a lair can denote a hideout, concealed residence, or a secretive meeting place for humans. This use is often associated with criminal activities, espionage, or clandestine operations. The term implies a place intentionally chosen for its obscurity or seclusion to avoid detection or discovery. It can be physical, like an abandoned building or an isolated house, or figurative, referring to a group or organization operating covertly. In literature or folklore, the concept of a lair is occasionally employed to symbolize the dark and eerie domain of evil beings or supernatural creatures.
Overall, a lair serves as a habitat for animals to seek refuge or as a metaphorical term for concealed locations linked to shady or secretive human activities.
The resting-place or couch of a wild beast.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "lair" originated from the Old English word "leger" or "leġer", which meant a place to lie or a bed. It is derived from the Proto-Germanic root word "leg-" which also meant to lie or lay down, and is related to words such as "lay", "lie", and "ledge". Over time, the meaning of "leger" evolved to refer specifically to a resting or dwelling place for animals, particularly those that hibernate or seek shelter, and eventually came to be known as a "lair".
