■ verb ( past and past participle lent )
1》 allow (someone) to use (something) on the understanding that it will be returned.
2》 allow (someone) the use of (a sum of money) under an agreement to pay it back later, typically with interest.
3》 give (a quality) to.
4》 ( ~ oneself to ) accommodate or adapt oneself to.
↘( ~ itself to ) be suitable for.
Phrases
~ an ear (or one's ears ) listen sympathetically or attentively.
Derivatives
~able adjective
~er noun
Origin
OE lnan , of Gmc origin; related to loan 1 .
Usage
Reciprocal pairs of words such as ~ and borrow are often confused. Common uses in informal speech in a number of British dialects include can I ~ your pen? (correct standard use is can I borrow your pen? ).