Leer definition
To look with a sidelong glance, indicative especially of sexual desire or sly and malicious intent.
verb
The definition of a leer is a long glance showing malicious intent.
An example of a leer is a glare at someone right before you steal some of their belongings.
noun
Leer is defined as to look with a sneaky expression.
An example of leer is to glare at something infuriating.
verb
A desirous, sly, or knowing look.
noun
Advertisement
A sly, sidelong look showing salaciousness, malicious triumph, etc.
noun
To look with a leer.
verb
Advertisement
Origin of leer
- Probably from obsolete leer cheek from Middle English ler from Old English hlēor kleu- in Indo-European roots
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
- From Middle English ler, leor (“face, cheek"), from Old English hlÄ“or (“face, cheek, profile"), from Proto-Germanic *hleuzÄ… (“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.
From Wiktionary
- From Middle English leren, from Old English lÇ£ran (“to teach, instruct, guide, enjoin, advise, persuade, urge, preach, hand down"), from Proto-Germanic *laizijanÄ… (“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 lār (“lore, learning, science, art of teaching, preaching, doctrine, study, precept, exhortation, advice, instigation, history, story, cunning "). See lore.
From Wiktionary
- From Middle English lere, from Old English Ä¡elÇ£re, *lÇ£re (“empty, void, empty-handed"), from Proto-Germanic *lÄ“ziz, *lÄ“zijaz (“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.
From Wiktionary
- Exact development uncertain, but apparently from *leer (“to make a face"), from leer (“face"). See below.
From Wiktionary
- See lehr
From Wiktionary