I. ˈlēn verb
( leaned ˈlēnd, chiefly Brit ˈlent ; lean·ing ˈlē-niŋ)
Etymology: Middle English lenen, from Old English hleonian; akin to Old High German hlinēn 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
II. noun
Date: 1776
: the act or an instance of leaning : inclination
III. adjective
Etymology: Middle English lene, from Old English hlǣne
Date: before 12th century
1.
a. : lacking or deficient in flesh
b. : containing little or no fat
lean meat
2. : lacking richness, sufficiency, or productiveness
lean profits
the lean years
3. : deficient in an essential or important quality or ingredient: as
a. of ore : containing little valuable mineral
b. : low in combustible component — used especially of fuel mixtures
4. : characterized by economy (as of style, expression, or operation)
• lean·ly adverb
• lean·ness ˈlēn-nəs noun
Synonyms:
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
IV. transitive verb
Date: before 12th century
: to make lean
V. noun
Date: 15th century
: the part of meat that consists principally of lean muscle