leaning etymology

Etymology:

  • Origin: Middle English (14th century), from Old English hlyniende, hlīniende, present participle of hlīnian "to lean, incline, recline"
  • Latin: clinare "to bend or incline"
  • Greek: klínein "to bend, slope"

Meaning:

  • To incline, slope, or rest against something at an angle.
  • To have a preference or bias towards something.
  • To move or bend towards something.

Origin and Historical Usage:

The word "leaning" has been used since the 14th century in Middle English. Its original meaning was "to incline or recline" and it could be used in reference to physical objects, as well as ideas or opinions. Over time, the meaning of "leaning" expanded to include "to have a preference or bias towards something" and "to move or bend towards something."

In the 17th century, the word "leaning" was used in the phrase "leaning tower," which referred to a tower that was not perfectly vertical. The famous Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy is an example of such a tower.

The word "leaning" is still commonly used today in both its literal and figurative senses.

leaning relate terms

  • lean

    Etymology Derived from the Old English word hlænan meaning to lean or incline Ger

  • leaning

    Etymology Origin Middle English 14th century from Old English hlyniende hlīniende

  • proclivity

    Etymology Latin proclivis meaning inclined downward From pro forward and cli

  • propensity

    Etymology From Old French propensite inclination tendency from Late Latin propens

  • propensity

    Etymology From Old French propensite inclination tendency from Late Latin propens

  • recumbent

    Etymology The word recumbent comes from the Latin word recumbere which means to li

  • procumbent

    Etymology The word procumbent is derived from the Latin word procumbere which means

  • anti macassar

    Etymology From French maccassar a type of oil used to dress hair Meaning A cover

  • enclitic

    Etymology Greek en in on klinein to lean Meaning A grammatical element

  • list

    Etymology The word list has several etymologies Old English liste meaning a bord

  • silt

    Etymology The word silt comes from the Middle English word sylt which in turn may d