LEAN

v. & n. --v. (past and past part. leaned or leant) 1 intr. & tr. (often foll. by across, back, over, etc.) be or place in a sloping position; incline from the perpendicular. 2 intr. & tr. (foll. by against, on, upon) rest or cause to rest for support against etc. 3 intr. (foll. by on, upon) rely on; derive support from. 4 intr. (foll. by to, towards) be inclined or partial to; have a tendency towards. --n. a deviation from the perpendicular; an inclination (has a decided lean to the right). ølean on colloq. put pressure on (a person) to act in a certain way. lean over backwards see BACKWARDS. lean-to (pl. -tos) a building with its roof leaning against a larger building or a wall. [OE hleonian, hlinian f. Gmc]