leer

Meanings

Verb

• To look sideways or obliquely; now especially with sexual desire or malicious intent.
• To entice with a leer or leers.
• To teach.
• To learn.

Noun

• A significant side glance; a glance expressive of some passion, as malignity, amorousness, etc.; a sly or lecherous look.
• An arch or affected glance or cast of countenance.
• The cheek.
• The face.
• One's appearance; countenance.
• Complexion; hue; colour.
• Flesh; skin.
• The flank or loin.
• Alternative of lehr

Adjective

• Empty; unoccupied; clear.
• Destitute; lacking; wanting.
• Faint from lack of food; hungry.
• Thin; faint.
• Having no load or burden; free; without a rider.
• Lacking sense or seriousness; trifling; frivolous.

Origin

• Exact development uncertain, but apparently from a verb *leer, from leer#Etymology_2.
• From Middle English ler, leor, from Old English hlēor, from Proto-Germanic *hleuzą, from Proto-Indo-European *ḱlews-, from Proto-Indo-European *ḱlewe-, *ḱlew-. Cognate with Scots lire, lere, Dutch lier ("cheek"), Swedish lyra ("pout"), Norwegian lia ("hillside"), Icelandic hlýr ("the face, cheek, countenance"). Related to Old English hlyst ("sense of hearing, listening") and hlysnan. More at list, listen.
• From Middle English lere, from Old English ġelǣr, *lǣre, from Proto-Germanic *lēziz, *lēzijaz, from Proto-Indo-European *les-. Cognate with Dutch laar, German leer. Related to Old English lesan. More at lease.
• From Middle English leren, from Old English lǣran ("to teach, instruct, guide, enjoin, advise, persuade, urge, preach, hand down"), from Proto-Germanic *laizijaną ("to teach"), from Proto-Indo-European *leis- ("track, footprint, furrow, trace"). Cognate with Dutch leren ("to teach"), German lehren ("to teach"), Swedish lära ("to teach"). Related to {{cog|ang|lār||lore, learning, science, art of teaching, preaching, doctrine, study, precept, exhortation, advice, instigation, history, story, cunning
• . See lore.
• See lehr.