Obs. exc. dial. [? repr. OE. lira the fleshy part of the body.] The flank or loin; the hollow under the ribs.
c. 1386. Chaucer, Sir Thopas, 146. He dide next his white leere Of clooth of lake fyn and cleere A breech and eek a sherte.
1725. Lond. Gaz., No. 6397/2. Stolen,… a … Mare,… several white Spots on her Body, one larger than the rest on the further Leer.
1746. Exmoor Courtship, 355 (E. D. S.). A geed ma a Vulch in tha Leer.
1777. Horæ Subsecivæ 249 (E. D. D.). Under the leer.
1886. Elworthy, W. Somerset Word-bk., Leer, the flank—applied to man and beast.
