liegend

Liegend is a German adjective and the present participle of the verb liegen (to lie). It describes a state of being horizontal or reclining, or a position that is situated on a horizontal plane. In everyday language, it is used to indicate that someone or something is in a lying position or oriented horizontally, for example: der liegende Hund (the lying dog), das liegende Tier (the lying animal). In technical or descriptive contexts it can also refer to the orientation of objects or geographical features, such as eine liegende Schicht in der Geologie (a lying/undisturbed bed).

Declension and usage. Liegend behaves like a regular adjective when it modifies a noun. With definite articles: der liegende Mann, die liegende Frau, das liegende Kind; plural die liegenden Objekte. Accusative: den liegenden Mann, die liegende Frau, das liegende Kind; plural die liegenden Objekte. Dative: dem liegenden Mann, der liegenden Frau, dem liegenden Kind; plural den liegenden Objekten. With indefinite or no article, endings follow standard adjective declension: einen liegenden Mann, eine liegende Frau, ein liegendes Kind; liegende Objekte (plural).

Etymology and related forms. Liegend derives from liegen, the German verb for lying down. The past participle is gelegen, meaning “located” or “situated,” which is related but used differently (as in der Ort ist gelegen), while liegend emphasizes the ongoing position of lying.

See also. See also the verb liegen, sowie Lage and position terms such as horizontal and orientation. In literature and description, liegend can convey imagery of repose, rest, or a horizontal stance, distinct from stehende (standing) or sitzende (sitting).