LYME, a sea-port town of Dorsetshire, in England, seated on the sea-shore, with a good harbour. It is so called from a little river which runs through the middle of the town, and falls into the sea. It is a large well-built corporation-town, is a place of good trade, and sends two members to parliament. The duke of Monmouth landed here with a handful of men in 1685, which were soon increased to 6000, and was then proclaimed king; but he was defeated by king James's army, taken prisoner, and beheaded. W. Long. 3. 5. N. Lat. 50. 40.