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Leering

 - 3 dictionary results

leer

1  [leer]
Use Leering in a Sentence
–verb (used without object)
1. to look with a sideways or oblique glance, esp. suggestive of lascivious interest or sly and malicious intention: I can't concentrate with you leering at me.
–noun
2. a lascivious or sly look.
Origin:
1520–30; perh. v. use of obs. leer cheek (ME leor, OE hlēor; c. ON hlȳr (pl.))

Related forms:
leer⋅ing⋅ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To Leering
leer   (lîr)   
intr.v.   leered, leer·ing, leers
To look with a sidelong glance, indicative especially of sexual desire or sly and malicious intent.
n.  A desirous, sly, or knowing look.

[Probably from obsolete leer, cheek, from Middle English ler, from Old English hlēor; see kleu- in Indo-European roots.]
leer'ing·ly adv.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

leer  (v.)
"to look obliquely" (now usually implying "with a lustful or malicious intent"), 1530, from M.E. noun ler "cheek," from O.E. hleor "the cheek, the face," from P.Gmc. *khleuzas "near the ear," from *kleuso- "ear," from PIE root *kleu- "to hear" (see listen). The notion is probably of "looking askance" (cf. figurative development of cheek). The noun is first attested 1598.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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