n.
Pronunciation: ' l ē n
Function: verb
Inflected Form: leaned \ ' l ē nd, chiefly Brit ' lent \ ; lean · ing \ ' l ē -ni ŋ \
Etymology: Middle English lenen, from Old English hleonian; akin to Old High German hlin ē n to lean, Greek klinein, Latin clinare
Date: before 12th century
intransitive verb
1 a : to incline, deviate, or bend from a vertical position b : to cast one's weight to one side for support
2 : to rely for support or inspiration
3 : to incline in opinion, taste, or desire < lean ing toward a career in chemistry>
transitive verb : to cause to lean : INCLINE
– lean on : to apply pressure to