I. ˈlēs noun
Etymology: Middle English les, from Anglo-French, from lesser
Date: 14th century
1. : a contract by which one conveys real estate, equipment, or facilities for a specified term and for a specified rent ; also : the act of such conveyance or the term for which it is made
2. : a piece of land or property that is leased
3. : a continuance or opportunity for continuance
a new lease on life
II. transitive verb
( leased ; leas·ing )
Etymology: Anglo-French lesser, laisser, lescher to leave, hand over, lease, from Latin laxare to loosen, from laxus slack — more at slack
Date: circa 1570
1. : to grant by lease
2. : to hold under a lease
Synonyms: see hire
• leas·able ˈlē-sə-bəl adjective