[f. LEAN v.]
1. The act or condition of leaning; inclination. On the lean: inclining, sloping.
1776. G. Semple, Building in Water, 73. Pressure from either Side, would give them all a lean to the opposite Side.
1850. P. Cunningham, Handbk. Lond., p. xxxvii/1. Leaden coffins piled thirty-feet high, and all on the lean from their own immense weight.
1851. Jrnl. R. Agric. Soc., XII. II. 647. The corn has a decided lean in one direction.
1890. W. Clark Russell, Ocean Trag., I. v. 106. The rounds of her canvas whitened into marble hardness with the yearn and lean of the distended cloths.
† 2. concr. Something to lean on; a support.
1610. Healey, trans. Vives’ St. Aug. Citie of God, Ded. A, How holy … a man, what a light, what a leane to the christian common-wealth [L. quale specimen columenque reip. Christianæ], on whom onely it rested for many rites.
