Bryson•s Dictionary for Writers and Editors

linage, lineage / Ljubljana � 207
idea of a limit being imposed, the word is better avoided. It is
reasonable enough to say that a special offer is available for a
limited time, but to write that “there was a limited demand for
tickets” is absurd when what is meant is that fewer customers
than had been hoped showed up.
linage, lineage. The first refers to lines of text; the second to ancestry.
linchpin, but lynch law, lynch gang.
Linnaean for the system of naming plants and animals by genus and
species names (e.g., Homo sapiens). Some dictionaries also accept
Linnean as an alternative spelling. The term comes from the
Swedish botanist Carl Linné (1707–1778), who chose to Latinize
his name as Carolus Linnaeus. For the rules of application concerning
the Linnaean system, see genus, species.
lion’s share is a cliché. Why not say “most” or “the larger part” or
whatever is appropriate?
Lipari Islands. Group of islands off Sicily, also known as the Aeolian
Islands.
Lipchitz, Jacques. (1891–1973) French sculptor.
Lippmann, Walter. (1889–1974) American journalist.
liquefy, liquefaction.
liqueur.
lira. Currency of Turkey; pl. liras. It has not been the currency of
Italy since 2002, but for historical purposes it may be worth noting
that the Italian plural was lire.
lissome.
literally means actually, not figuratively. If you don’t wish to be taken
literally, don’t use literally.
literati. Literary elite; learned people. But littérateur for a person of
letters.
Livni, Tzipora. (1958–) Deputy prime minister of Israel (2006–).
Ljubicic, Ivan. (1979–) Croatian tennis player.
Ljubljana. Capital of Slovenia; pronounced loob-lee-yah'-na.