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lie above

C1 formal inseparable intransitive
In simple words

To be on top of or higher than something else.

Literal meaning: To rest in a position that is higher than something else.

Meanings

1 C1 formal

To be physically located at a higher position than something else.

"The glacier lies above the treeline, where no vegetation can survive."

Grammar: inseparable
2 C1 formal

(Anatomy/geology) to be positioned on top of a particular layer, organ, or stratum.

"The epidermis lies above the dermis in the structure of human skin."

Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes

Used in technical, geographical, or formal written contexts to describe the position of one thing relative to another. More common in written English than spoken. Sometimes used in anatomy or geology.

Commonly used with

surface sea level layer town cloud plateau

Forms

Base
lie above
I/you/we/they
3rd person
lies above
he/she/it
Past simple
lay above
yesterday
Past participle
lain above
have + pp
-ing form
lying above
continuous

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