Leer

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /lɪə/
• US IPA: /lɪɹ/
• Rhymes: -ɪə(r)

Exact development uncertain, but apparently from *leer ("to make a face"), from leer ("face"). See below.

Full definition of leer

Verb

1. (intransitive) To look sideways or obliquely; now especially with sexual desire or malicious intent.
2. (transitive) To entice with a leer or leers.
• To gild a face with smiles; and leer a man to ruin.

Noun

1. A significant side glance; a glance expressive of some passion, as malignity, amorousness, etc.; a sly or lecherous look.
2. An arch or affected glance or cast of countenance.

From Middle English ler, leor ("face, cheek"), from Old English hlēor ("face, cheek, profile"), from Proto-Germanic *hleuzą ("ear, cheek"), from Proto-Indo-European *ḱlews- ("temple of the forehead, cheek"), from Proto-Indo-European *ḱlewe-, *ḱlew- ("to hear"). Cognate with Scots lire, lere ("face, appearance, complexion, blee"), Dutch lier ("cheek"), Swedish lyra ("pout"), Norwegian lia ("hillside"), Icelandic hlýr ("the face, cheek, countenance"). Related to Old English hlyst ("sense of hearing, listening") and hlysnan ("to listen"). More at list, listen.

Alternative forms

• lyre, lire, lere

Noun

1. (obsolete) The cheek.
2. (obsolete) The face.
3. (obsolete) One's appearance; countenance.
• Shakespearea Rosalind of a better leer than you
4. (obsolete) Complexion; hue; blee; colour.
5. (obsolete) Flesh; skin.
6. (UK dialectal) The flank or loin.

Anagrams

• lere
• reel

From Middle English lere, from Old English ġelǣre, *lǣre ("empty, void, empty-handed"), from Proto-Germanic *lēziz, *lēzijaz ("empty"), from Proto-Indo-European *les- ("to collect, pick"). Cognate with Dutch laar ("a clearing in the woods"), German leer ("empty"). Related to Old English lesan ("to gather, collect"). More at lease.

Alternative forms

• lear

Adjective

1. Empty; unoccupied; clear.a leer stomach
2. Destitute; lacking; wanting.
3. Faint from lack of food; hungry.
4. (UK dialectal) Thin; faint.
5. Having no load or burden; free; without a rider.a leer horse
6. Lacking sense or seriousness; trifling; frivolous.leer words

From Middle English leren, from Old English lǣran ("to teach, instruct, guide, enjoin, advise, persuade, urge, preach, hand down"), from Proto-Germanic *laizijaną ("to teach"), from Proto-Indo-European *leis- ("track, footprint, furrow, trace"). Cognate with Dutch leren ("to teach"), German lehren ("to teach"), Swedish lära ("to teach"). Related to Old English

}. See lore.

Verb

1. (transitive) To teach.
2. (transitive) To learn.

See lehr

Noun

1. Alternative form of lehr----