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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1965 (SND Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

†LICH(E), n. A corpse. In Sc. only in combs. lich-bird, -fowl, the nightjar, Caprimulgus Europaeus. Found in poet. usage only and from its form a borrowing from Eng. dial. Cf. Lyke. [lɪtʃ]Edb. 1791 J. Learmont Poems 12:
The howlet screamt, The liche fowle's hoarse, Did fairly deave her ear.Per. 1898 C. Spence Poems 184:
When mortals slept, and lichbirds wakit.

[Mid.Eng. liche, a corpse, O.E. līc, id.]

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