Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1976 (SND Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1769
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LEAN, adj. Sc. usage: see quot., sc. from lean, to incline, but prob. the definition should be: built with weak mortar, also in this sense in 18th c. Eng.Edb. 1769 Session Papers, Petition M. Garrioch (23 Feb.) 8:
Some of the old wall that was allowed to stand, was lean, that is, not straight.
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"Lean adj.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 19 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/snd00089016>
