Main Entry:

¹lean

Pronunciation:

\ˈlēn\

Function:

verb

Inflected Form(s):

leaned \ˈlēnd, chiefly British ˈlent\ ; lean·ing \ˈlē-niŋ\

Etymology:

Middle English lenen, from Old English hleonian; akin to Old High German hlinēn to lean, Greek klinein, Latin clinare

Date:

before 12th century

intransitive verb1 a: to incline, deviate, or bend from a vertical position b: to cast one's weight to one side for support2: to rely for support or inspiration3: to incline in opinion, taste, or desire <leaning toward a career in chemistry>transitive verb: to cause to lean : incline

— lean on

: to apply pressure to