lean

Everyday

1. To lean is to bend your body towards something or away from straight: «Lean forward». tree →
2. To lean on or against something is to rest your weight on it. tree →
3. To lean on someone is to depend on them for help. tree →
4. Lean (adjective) means thin and fit, or (of meat) having little fat. tree →

In the lessons

In safety, do not lean out of windows, over balconies, out of a bus, or over the edge of a cliff or boat. In science and building, a leaning tower (like Pisa) may topple if its centre of gravity goes too far. In health, lean meat has little fat. Phrases: «lean on» (rely on), «lean towards» (prefer), «lean back».

Examples

• Don't lean out of the window. tree →
• Lean your bike against the wall. tree →
• She leaned forward to hear better. tree →
• The Leaning Tower of Pisa leans to one side. tree →
• You can always lean on your family for help. tree →
• Don't lean back on your chair. tree →
• Choose lean meat for a healthy meal. tree →
• The runner was tall and lean. tree →
• Lean your little head against us." tree →

Note

Past: «leaned» (more American) or «leant» (British, said «lent»). Comparison: leaner, leanest. Do not confuse «lean» with «lend» or «lent».

In Jewish tradition

Lean means thin, with little flesh or fat, as in Pharaoh's dream, and "fat or lean" land means rich or poor soil. The poets also use it of a body wasted by fasting, and of leaning on someone for support, as the beloved in the Song of Songs leans on her love, or a person who must not lean on their own understanding but trust God.

Interpretation. In Pharaoh's dream, the lean cows stand for the seven years of famine that Joseph explained. The tradition reads "lean not upon thine own understanding" as trusting God, and the Song of Songs as the love between God and Israel.

Examples

• And the lean and ill-favoured kine did eat up the first seven fat kine. (Torah GEN.41.20, JPS 1917) tree →
• And the ill-favoured and lean-fleshed kine did eat up the seven well-favoured and fat kine. (Torah GEN.41.4, JPS 1917) tree →
• and what the land is, whether it is fat or lean, whether there is wood therein, or not. (Torah NUM.13.20, JPS 1917) tree →
• Who is this that cometh up from the wilderness, leaning upon her beloved? (Writings SNG.8.5, JPS 1917) tree →
• My knees totter through fasting; and my flesh is lean, and hath no fatness. (Writings PSA.109.24, JPS 1917) tree →
• Trust in the LORD with all thy heart, and lean not upon thine own understanding. (Writings PRO.3.5, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Past: «leaned» (more American) or «leant» (British, said «lent»). Comparison: leaner, leanest. Do not confuse «lean» with «lend» or «lent».