a. Obs. [f. name of Leonard Lessi-us (died 1623) + -AN.] Of or pertaining to Lessius, esp. in Lessian diet (see quot. 1656).
1655. Bayly, Life Fisher, i. 3. Austerely curbing his wanton appetite with the most spare and Lessian dyet.
1656. Blount, Glossogr., Lessian, pertaining to Lessius, a modern Writer, who wrote a Rule of severe temperance, wherein be prescribed Fourteen Ounces every day, whence that is called a Lessian Diet.
1677. Temple, Ess., Gout, Wks. 1731, I. 144. Nor can this be determined by Measures and Weights, or any general Lessian Rules.
a. 1694. Tillotson, Serm. Evil Covetousness, Wks. 1717, I. 264. All the Religion he values himself upon, is a strict observance of the Lessian diet, which he recommends to those few that can deny themselves to Dine with him.
