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12 dictionary results for: leer
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This
leer1 
[leer] Pronunciation Key
—Related forms
[leer] Pronunciation Key –verb (used without object)
–noun
| 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. |
| 2. | a lascivious or sly look. |
[Origin: 1520–30; perh. v. use of obs. leer cheek (ME leor, OE hléor; c. ON hlȳr (pl.))]
] —Related forms
leer·ing·ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This
leer2
[leer] Pronunciation Key
[leer] Pronunciation Key –adjective British Dialect.
| 1. | having no burden or load. |
| 2. | faint for lack of food; hungry. |
[Origin: bef. 1050; ME lere, OE gelǣr; c. G leer empty]
]
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
| leer
(lîr) Pronunciation Key
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. |
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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
leer (v.)
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
WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This
| leer | |
noun | |
| 1. | a facial expression of contempt or scorn; the upper lip curls [syn: sneer] |
| 2. | a suggestive or sneering look or grin |
verb | |
| 1. | look suggestively or obliquely; look or gaze with a sly, immodest, or malign expression; "The men leered at the young women on the beach" |
WordNet® 3.0, © 2006 by Princeton University.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
Leer
Leer\ (l[=e]r), v. t. To learn. [Obs.] See Lere, to learn.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
Leer
Leer\, a. [OE. lere; akin to G. leer, OHG. & OS. l[=a]ri.] [Obs. or Prov. Eng.] Empty; destitute; wanting; as: (a) Empty of contents. "A leer stomach." --Gifford. (b) Destitute of a rider; and hence, led, not ridden; as, a leer horse. --B. Jonson. (c) Wanting sense or seriousness; trifling; trivolous; as, leer words.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
Leer
Leer\, n. An oven in which glassware is annealed.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
Leer
Leer\, n. [OE. lere cheek, face, look, AS. hle['o]r cheek, face; akin to OS. hlear, hlior, OD. lier, Icel. hl[=y]r.]1. The cheek. [Obs.] --Holinshed. 2. Complexion; aspect; appearance. [Obs.] A Rosalind of a better leer than you. --Shak. 3. A distorted expression of the face, or an indirect glance of the eye, conveying a sinister or immodest suggestion. With jealous leer malign Eyed them askance. --Milton. She gives the leer of invitation. --Shak. Damn with faint praise, assent with civil leer. --Pope.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
Leer
Leer\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Leered (l[=e]rd); p. pr. & vb. n. Leering.] To look with a leer; to look askance with a suggestive expression, as of hatred, contempt, lust, etc.; to cast a sidelong lustful or malign look. I will leerupon him as a' comes by. --Shak. The priest, above his book, Leering at his neighbor's wife. --Tennyson.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
Leer
Leer\, v. t. To entice with a leer, or leers; as, to leer a man to ruin. --Dryden.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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