English
ley line
From ley (“meadow”) + line.
A compound of ley ‘meadow’ + line
Proto-Germanic *līną ‘flax’
Proto-Germanic *līnǭ ‘line’
Proto-West Germanic *līnā ‘line’
Old English līne ‘line’
Middle English line ‘rope’
English line
The story
Coined by archaeologist Alfred Watkins, who believed that the toponyms ley, lea and leigh indicated Neolithic paths.
Today it means
noun A supposed alignment of ancient sacred sites, such as megalith structures, along straight lines of mystical power.
Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.
Etymograph / ley line