Dictionary

ligger en · NOUN

Pronunciation

• /ˈlɪɡə/ (UK)
• (Australia) audio
• /ˈlɪɡɚ/ (US)

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English liggere; equivalent to lig + -er. Doublet of ledger. Many senses (especially sense 5) are likely formed anew from lig rather than continuations of the preceding senses.

Meanings

1. The horizontal timber of a scaffolding; a ledger.
2. A simply supported plank over a stream used as a footbridge.
3. A nether millstone.
4. A coverlet for a bed.
5. (slang) A freeloader or hanger-on, especially in the music or entertainment industry.
   • Peaches Geldof may be a top showbiz ligger – but now she’s got a group of her own. 2006 August 29, “Peaches gets own band”, in The Sun:
   • The ligger caused a scene when he begged one reveller to find him some gear – and offered sexual favours in return. 2005 January 29, “Wicked Whispers”, in The Mirror:
   • I'm a lone wolf ligger, but I ain't no pretty boy. I'm a backbone shiver and I'm a bundle of joy 1984 September 1, “Killed by Death”, in BBC:
6. A kelt (“thin, recently spawned salmon”).
7. A baited fishing line attached to a float, for night fishing, etc.
8. (dialectal) One who lies in bed.
9. (dialectal) A layer.

Forms

Deriveds

liggerati · outrigger

Synonyms

ledger line · ledger