I. ˈlēv verb
( left ˈleft ; leav·ing )
Etymology: Middle English leven, from Old English lǣfan; akin to Old High German ver leiben to leave, Old English be līfan to be left over, and perhaps to Lithuanian lipti to adhere, Greek lipos grease, fat
Date: before 12th century
transitive verb
1.
a.
(1) : bequeath , devise
left a fortune to his son
(2) : to have remaining after one's death
leave s a widow and two children
b. : to cause to remain as a trace or aftereffect
oil leave s 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 leave s a lot out
c. : to have as a remainder
4 from 7 leave s 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
Usage:
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.
II. noun
Etymology: Middle English leve, from Old English lēaf; akin to Middle High German loube permission, Old English a lȳfan to allow — more at believe
Date: before 12th century
1.
a. : permission to do something
b. : authorized especially extended absence from duty or employment
2. : an act of leaving : departure
III. intransitive verb
( leaved ; leav·ing )
Etymology: Middle English leven, from leef leaf
Date: 14th century
: leaf