Definition of "lich"

lich¹

/lɪtʃ/

noun
plural liches or (with Scots pronunciation) lichs
1. (archaic, UK) A corpse or dead body.
  Quotations
  […] and that, as the chronicle states, a lich-way would be made through then, assembled his servants, and attempted to stop its progress as it was carried over a bridge. A scuffle ensued, and the body was thrown into the water. The lich-way as not made ; but the Bishop of Exeter amply revenged himself for the proceedings.
  1845, Penny Magazine of the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge, page 35
  She saw him again that eventide, but then he was a reddened lich.
  1983, Poul Anderson, Time Patrolman (Sci-Fi)
2. (fantasy, roleplaying games) A reanimated corpse or undead being; particularly an intelligent, undead spellcaster.
  Quotations
  It was a lich’s face – desiccated flesh tight over its skull.
  1974, Karl Edward Wagner, Sticks
3. Ellipsis of lichfield.
4. Ellipsis of lichgate.
5. Ellipsis of lichway.

lich²

adjective
comparative more lich, superlative most lich
1. (obsolete) Like; resembling; equal.
  Quotations
  Anon he let two cofres make / Of one semblance, and of one make, / So lich, that no lif thilke throwe, / That one may fro that other knowe.
  1386-90, John Gower, Confessio Amantis.
  [He] rather joy'd to be than seemen sich, For both to be and seeme to him was labour lich.
  1590, Edmund Spenser, “Book III, Canto VII”, in The Faerie Queene. […], London: […] [John Wolfe] for William Ponsonbie, page 29