leave

¹leave

verb \ˈlēv\

left\ˈleft\leav·ing

Definition of LEAVE

transitive verb

1

a (1) : bequeath, devise <left a fortune to his son> (2) : to have remaining after one's death <leaves a widow and two children> b : to cause to remain as a trace or aftereffect <oil leaves a stain> <the wound left an ugly scar>

2

a : to cause or allow to be or remain in a specified condition <leave the door open> <his manner left me cold> b : to fail to include or take along <left the notes at home> <the movie leaves a lot out> c : to have as a remainder <4 from 7 leaves 3> d : to permit to be or remain subject to another's action or control <just leave everything to me> e : let f : to cause or allow to be or remain available <leave room for expansion> <left myself an out>

3

a : to go away from : depart <leave the room> b : desert, abandon <left his wife> c : to terminate association with : withdraw from <left school before graduation>

4

: to put, deposit, or deliver before or in the process of departing <I left a package for you> <leave a message>

intransitive verb

: set out, depart

— leav·er noun

— leave alone

: to refrain from bothering, disturbing, or using

Usage Discussion of LEAVE

Leave (sense 2e) with the infinitive but without to <leave it be> is a mostly spoken idiom used in writing especially for humorous effect. It is not often criticized in British English, but American commentators, adhering to an opinion first expressed in 1881, still dislike it.

Origin of LEAVE

Middle English leven, from Old English lǣfan; akin to Old High German verleiben to leave, Old English belīfan to be left over, and perhaps to Lithuanian lipti to adhere, Greek lipos grease, fat

First Known Use: before 12th century

Rhymes with LEAVE

breve, cleave, eave, eve, Eve, greave, grieve, heave, lief, peeve, reave, reeve, reive, scrieve, sheave, sleeve, steeve, thieve, weave