Lean \Lean\ (l[=e]n), a. [Compar. {Leaner} (l[=e]n"[~e]r);
superl. {Leanest}.] [OE. lene, AS. hl[=ae]ne; prob. akin to
E. lean to incline. See {Lean}, v. i. ]
1. Wanting flesh; destitute of or deficient in fat; slim; not
plump; slender; meager; thin; lank; as, a lean body; a
lean cattle.

2. Wanting fullness, richness, sufficiency, or
productiveness; deficient in quality or contents; slender;
scant; barren; bare; mean; -- used literally and
figuratively; as, the lean harvest; a lean purse; a lean
discourse; lean wages. ``No lean wardrobe.'' --Shak.

Their lean and flashy songs. --Milton.

What the land is, whether it be fat or lean. --Num.
xiii. 20.

Out of my lean and low ability
I'll lend you something. --Shak.

3. (Typog.) Of a character which prevents the compositor from
earning the usual wages; -- opposed to {fat}; as, lean
copy, matter, or type.

Syn: slender; spare; thin; meager; lank; skinny; gaunt.