lean

lean

lean¹ [lēn]

vi.

leaned or Chiefly Brit. leant, leaning [ME lenen < OE hlinian, to lean, hlænan, to cause to lean, akin to Ger lehnen < IE base * k̑lei-, to incline, lean > Gr klinein, L clinare]

1. to bend or deviate from an upright position; stand at a slant; incline

2. to bend or incline the body so as to rest part of one's weight upon or against something [he leaned on the desk]

3. to depend for encouragement, aid, etc.; rely (on or upon)

4. to have a particular mental inclination; tend (toward or to a certain opinion, attitude, etc.)

vt.

to cause to lean [to lean one's head back, lean the ladder against the house]

n.

the act or condition of leaning; inclination; slant

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☆ lean on

Slang to pressure, as by using influence or intimidating

leaner

n.

lean² [lēn]

adj.

[ME lene < OE hlæne, prob. akin to LEAN¹, in sense “leaning, drooping,” hence “thin, slender”]

1. with little flesh or fat; thin; spare

2. containing little or no fat: said of meat

3.

a) lacking in richness, profit, productivity, etc.; meager

b) deficient in some quality or substance [a lean mixture in the carburetor]

c) characterized by brevity, incisiveness, directness, etc. [a lean writing style]

d) characterized by economy, efficiency, automation rather than human labor, etc. [a leaner, more competitive company]

n.

meat containing little or no fat

leanly

adv.

leanness

n.