[lean] vb leaned ; lean.ing [ME lenen, fr. OE hleonian; akin to OHG hlinen to lean, Gk klinein, L clinare] vi (bef. 12c) 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 ~ vt: to cause to lean: incline -- lean on : to apply pressure to
[2]lean n (1776): the act or an instance of leaning: inclination [3]lean adj [ME lene, fr. OE hlaene] (bef. 12c) 1 a: lacking or deficient in flesh b: containing little or no fat
2: lacking richness, sufficiency, or productiveness
3: deficient in an essential or important quality or ingredient: as a of ore: containing little valuable mineral b: low in combustible component--used esp. of fuel mixtures
4: characterized by economy (as of style, expression, or operation) -- lean.ly adv -- lean.ness n syn lean, spare, lank, lanky, gaunt, rawboned, scrawny, skinny mean thin because of an absence of excess flesh. lean stresses lack of fat and of curving contours "a lean racehorse". spare suggests leanness from abstemious living or constant exercise "the gymnast's spare figure". lank implies tallness as well as leanness "the lank legs of the heron". lanky suggests awkwardness and loose-jointedness as well as thinness "a lanky youth, all arms and legs". gaunt implies marked thinness or emaciation as from overwork or suffering "a prisoner's gaunt face". rawboned suggests a large ungainly build without implying undernourishment "a rawboned farmer". scrawny and skinny imply an extreme leanness that suggests deficient strength and vitality "a scrawny chicken" "skinny street urchins". [4]lean vt (bef. 12c): to make lean [5]lean n (15c): the part of meat that consists principally of lean muscle