laptop (n., adj.)

Latin@ Means Latino/a. Avoid usage in running text; sometimes used at Oberlin, most commonly for promotional materials.

Latino/Latina/Latinx Latinx preferred at Oberlin. See ethnic and racial designations, bias-free language.

lay, lie The action word is lay. It takes a direct object. Laid is the form for its past tense and its past participle. Its present participle is laying.

Lie indicates a state of reclining along a horizontal plane. It does not take a direct object. Its past tense is lay. Its past participle is lain. Its present participle is lying.

When lie means "to make an untrue statement," the verb forms are lie, lied, lying.

LEED Acronym for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, a green building rating system developed by the U.S. Green Building Council. Spell out on first reference. LEED Gold, LEED Silver.

lecture titles Capitalize, set in Roman type, and enclose in quotation marks. See titles of works.

less See fewer, less.

letter winner

libraries Oberlin has four libraries. The main and art libraries have formal names that are capitalized.

When referring to the library system, use Oberlin College Libraries.

The Mary Church Terrell Main Library is housed in the Mudd Learning Center. On second and subsequent uses, main library or Terrell Main Library are acceptable.

Clarence Ward Art Library, art library; conservatory library; science library

lie See lay, lie.

lifelong (adj.)

lifestyle (n.)

line up (v.), lineup (n., adj.) Students will line up outside of the art museum to participate in Art Rental. The team’s lineup included a new group of first-year players.

LISTSERV Capitalize when referring to L-Soft, the trademark company that has the list management software; use listserv without caps when referring to a generic email list. Preferred use is to use email list or electronic mailing list when referring to generic mailing lists or other software mailing list management programs.

livestream (n., v.) One word in all uses; streamed live is an appropriate verb variant.

login, logon (n., adj.) Her login password is Bluestreak.

log in, log on, log off (v.) Log on to the website by visiting www.swe.org. Incorrect: log onto

long term (n.), long-term (adj.) She is in it for the long term. He signed a long-term lease.

long time (n.), longtime (adj.) They have known each other for a long time. They are longtime partners.