leave

leave

leave¹ [lēv]

vt.

left, leaving [ME leven < OE læfan, lit., to let remain (< * lafjan < base of laf, remnant, what remains), akin to (be)lifan, to remain, Ger bleiben, OHG belīban < IE * leip-, to smear with grease, stick to < base * lei-, viscous, sticky > L limus: see LIME¹]

1. to cause or allow to remain; not take away [to leave some of the food for latecomers]

2. to make, place, deposit, etc., and cause to remain behind one [to leave one's calling card]

3. to have remaining after one [the deceased leaves a widow]

4. to bequeath [to leave a fortune to charity]

5. to let be in the care of; entrust: with to or up to [to leave a decision to another]

6. to give as a remainder by subtraction [ten minus two leaves eight]

7. to reject [take it or leave it]

8. to go away from [to leave the house]

9. to let stay or cause to be in a certain condition [the flood left them homeless]

10. to give up; abandon; forsake

11. to stop living in, working for, or belonging to

12. Chiefly Dial. to let or allow [leave us go now]

vi.

to go away, depart, or set out

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leave alone

see the phrase under ALONE

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leave off

1. to stop; cease

2. to stop doing, using, or wearing

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leave out

1. to omit

2. to ignore

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leave well enough alone

see the phrase under ALONE

leaver

n.

leave² [lēv]

n.

[ME leve < OE leaf, permission, akin to obs. Ger laube, permission, erlauben, to allow, permit < IE base * leubh-, to like, desire > LIEF, LOVE, L libido]

1. permission

2.

a) permission to be absent from duty or work, esp. such permission given to personnel in the armed services

b) the period for which such permission is granted

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beg leave

to ask permission

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by your leave

with your permission

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on leave

absent from duty with permission

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take leave of

to say goodbye to

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take one's leave

to go away; depart

leave³ [lēv]

vi.

leaved, leaving [ME leven < lefe, LEAF]

to put forth, or bear, leaves; leaf