leant

1 definition found

leant - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Lean \Lean\ (l[=e]n), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Leaned (l[=e]nd),
     sometimes Leant (l[e^]nt); p. pr. & vb. n. Leaning.] [OE.
     lenen, AS. hlinian, hleonian, v. i.; akin to OS. hlin[=o]n,
     D. leunen, OHG. hlin[=e]n, lin[=e]n, G. lehnen, L. inclinare,
     Gr. kli`nein, L. clivus hill, slope. [root]40. Cf.
     Declivity, Climax, Incline, Ladder.]
     1. To incline, deviate, or bend, from a vertical position; to
        be in a position thus inclining or deviating; as, she
        leaned out at the window; a leaning column. "He leant
        forward." --Dickens.
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     2. To incline in opinion or desire; to conform in conduct; --
        with to, toward, etc.
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              They delight rather to lean to their old customs.
                                                    --Spenser.
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     3. To rest or rely, for support, comfort, and the like; --
        with on, upon, or against.
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              He leaned not on his fathers but himself.
                                                    --Tennyson.
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