lair
UK: leə | US: ler
n. a secret or hidden place, especially where a wild animal rests
n. a secluded or private space where someone engages in illicit activities
The word "lair" originates from Old English leger, meaning "a bed, couch, or resting place," derived from Proto-Germanic legraz (related to lying down). Over time, it evolved to specifically denote the hidden resting place of wild animals, later extending metaphorically to human hideouts (often with negative connotations). The core idea of "a place to lie down" remains central to its meaning.
The fox returned to its lair at dawn.
Police discovered the thief’s lair in an abandoned warehouse.
Bears often hibernate in their lairs during winter.
The detective tracked the criminal to his hidden lair.
Legends speak of a dragon’s lair deep in the mountains.