From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Lean \Lean\ (l[=e]n), v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Leaned} (l[=e]nd),
sometimes {Leant} (l[e^]nt); p. pr. & vb. n. {Leaning}.] [OE.
lenen, AS. hlinian, hleonian, v. i.; akin to OS. hlin[=o]n,
D. leunen, OHG. hlin[=e]n, lin[=e]n, G. lehnen, L. inclinare,
Gr. kli`nein, L. clivus hill, slope. [root]40. Cf.
{Declivity}, {Climax}, {Incline}, {Ladder}.]
1. To incline, deviate, or bend, from a vertical position; to
be in a position thus inclining or deviating; as, she
leaned out at the window; a leaning column. "He leant
forward." --Dickens.
[1913 Webster]
2. To incline in opinion or desire; to conform in conduct; --
with to, toward, etc.
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They delight rather to lean to their old customs.
--Spenser.
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3. To rest or rely, for support, comfort, and the like; --
with on, upon, or against.
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He leaned not on his fathers but himself.
--Tennyson.
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