Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1965 (SND Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

LEAN, v., n. Also len (Abd. 1867 A. Allardyce Goodwife 5; Cai. 1929 John o' Groat Jnl. (13 Sept.)); lain (Abd. 1923 R. L. Cassie Heid or Hert 14); lene, leen; †lein (Sc. 1724 Ramsay Ever Green I. 213). Pa.t. leaned, leant. [lin, len. See P.L.D. §§ 88, 93.3, 120, 130, 142.]

I. v. ‡1. To recline, lie down, rest, to take a seat. Freq. used refl. and occas. absol. (Bnff., Lnk., Kcb. 1960). Obs. in Eng. Cf. also Lin.Sc. 1721 Ramsay Poems (S.T.S.) I. 51:
Between Hands now and then we'll lean, And sport upo' the Velvet Fog.Abd. 1768 A. Ross Helenore 97:
Upon the green they lean'd them down all three, And tears for fainness ran frae ilka eye.Ayr. 1791 Burns Lament for Glencairn ii.:
He lean'd him to an ancient aik.Fif. 1845 Stat. Acc.² IX. 877:
The language of the working classes is distinguished by some peculiar pronunciations and phrases, such as … lean ye for sit you down or rest yourselves.Abd. 1871 W. Alexander Johnny Gibb xli.:
Once into the house, Meg “leant her doon” for a crack.Uls.² 1929:
She asked her to come in and lain down awhile.

†2. To cease, desist, pause. Cf. Lin.Sc. 1725 Ramsay Gentle Shep. iv. i.:
Let gang your grips; fy, Madge! howt, Bauldy, leen!Slk. 1813 Hogg Queen's Wake (1874) 34:
She never lened, nor stood in awe.

II. n. A rest, a resting-place, a seat (Ags., Fif., Lth. 1960).Edb. 1773 Fergusson Poems (S.T.S.) II. 139:
A warm and canny lean for weary banes O' lab'rers doil'd upo' the wintry leas.Edb. 1828 D. M. Moir Mansie Wauch xix.:
I got a lean, by squeezing her a wee, between me and the wall.