lean

LEAN, verb intransitive [Gr., Latin clino.] 1. To deviate or move from a straight or perpendicular line; or to be in a position thus deviating. We say, a column leans to the north or to the east; it leans to the right or left. 2. To incline or propend; to tend toward. They delight rather to lean to their old customs - 3. To bend or incline so as to rest on something; as, to lean against a wall or a pillar; to lean on the arm of another. 4. To bend; to be in a bending posture. LEAN, verb transitive 1. To incline; to cause to lean 2. To conceal. [Not in use.] LEAN, adjective [Latin lenis, and Eng. slender.] 1. Wanting flesh; meager; not fat; as a lean body; a lean man or animal. 2. Not rich; destitute of good qualities; bare; barren; as lean earth. 3. Low; poor; in opposition to rich or great; as a lean action. [Unusual.] 4. Barren of thought; destitute of that which improves or entertains; jejune; as a lean discourse or dissertation. LEAN, noun That part of flesh which consists of muscle without the fat.