lichyard

lichyard

English

Etymology

lich (“corpse”) +‎ yard

Noun

lichyard (plural lichyards)

1. (literary) A graveyard.
   • 1893, Anne Reeve Aldrich, "A Ballad of Slumber", in Nadine and Other Poems, page 20:

     The last sleep that my love slept

     Shall last till Judgment Day,

     In corner of the lichyard close,

     'Neath drooping boughs of May.

   • 1996, George R. R. Martin, A Game of Thrones, Bantam Specta, US (1996), →ISBN, Voyager Books, UK (1996), →ISBN Chapter 53, "Bran", unumbered page:

     Beneath the shadow of the First Keep was an ancient lichyard, its headstones spotted with pale lichen, where the old Kings of Winter had laid their faithful servants.

   • 1999, George R. R. Martin, A Clash of Kings, Bantam Spectra (2000), →ISBN, unnumbered page:

     Mikken lay buried in the lichyard, and the new smith was capable of little more than nails and horseshoes.

   • 2008, Jay Lake, Escapement, Tor Books (2009), →ISBN, page 157:

     Stands of trees teeming with barking animals would be quiet as lichyards when he passed them again.

   • For more examples of usage of this term, see Citations:lichyard.

Synonyms

• See also Thesaurus:cemetery.