leer
1[ leer ]
/ lɪər /
verb (used without object)
to look with a sideways or oblique glance, especially suggestive of lascivious interest or sly and malicious intention: I can't concentrate with you leering at me.
noun
a lascivious or sly look.
Nearby words
Origin of leer
11520–30; perhaps v. use of obsolete leer cheek (Middle English leor, Old English hlēor; cognate with Old Norse hlȳr (plural))
Related formsleer·ing·ly, adverb
Definition for leer (2 of 4)
leer
2[ leer ]
/ lɪər /
adjective British Dialect.
having no burden or load.
faint for lack of food; hungry.
Origin of leer
2before 1050; Middle English lere, Old English gelǣr; cognate with German leer empty
Definition for leer (3 of 4)
Definition for leer (4 of 4)
lee
1[ lee ]
/ li /
noun
protective shelter: The lee of the rock gave us some protection against the storm.
the side or part that is sheltered or turned away from the wind: We erected our huts under the lee of the mountain.
Chiefly Nautical. the quarter or region toward which the wind blows.
adjective
pertaining to, situated in, or moving toward the lee.
Origin of lee
1before 900; Middle English; Old English hlēo(w) shelter, cognate with Old Frisian hli, hly, Old Saxon hleo, Old Norse hlé
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for leer
British Dictionary definitions for leer (1 of 4)
leer
/ (lɪə) /
verb
(intr) to give an oblique, sneering, or suggestive look or grin
noun
such a look
Derived Formsleering, adjective, nounleeringly, adverb
Word Origin for leer
C16: perhaps verbal use of obsolete leer cheek, from Old English hlēor
British Dictionary definitions for leer (2 of 4)
Lee
1/ (liː) /
noun
a river in SW Republic of Ireland, flowing east into Cork Harbour. Length: about 80 km (50 miles)
British Dictionary definitions for leer (3 of 4)
Lee
2/ (liː) /
noun
British Dictionary definitions for leer (4 of 4)
lee
/ (liː) /
noun
a sheltered part or side; the side away from the direction from which the wind is blowing
by the lee nautical so that the wind is blowing on the wrong side of the sail
under the lee nautical towards the lee
adjective
(prenominal) nautical on, at, or towards the side or part away from the windon a lee shore Compare weather (def. 5)
Word Origin for lee
Old English hlēow shelter; related to Old Norse hle
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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