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Jeer vs Leer - What's the difference?

jeer | leer |

As nouns the difference between jeer and leer

is that jeer is a railing remark or reflection; a scoff; a taunt; a biting jest; a flout; a jibe; mockery while leer is a significant side glance; a glance expressive of some passion, as malignity, amorousness, etc.; a sly or lecherous look.

As verbs the difference between jeer and leer

is that jeer is to utter sarcastic or mocking comments; to speak with mockery or derision; to use taunting language while leer is to look sideways or obliquely; now especially with sexual desire or malicious intent.

As an adjective leer is

empty; unoccupied; clear.

jeer

English

Etymology 1

Perhaps a corruption of ).

Noun

(en noun)
  • A railing remark or reflection; a scoff; a taunt; a biting jest; a flout; a jibe; mockery.
  • * 1711 , , The Fable of Midas, in The Works of Jonathan Swift , D.D., Vol XII, Sir Walter Scott, ed., Edinburgh: Archibald Constable and Co., 1824, pages 302-5,
    • Midas, exposed to all their jeers , Had lost his art, and kept his ears.

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To utter sarcastic or mocking comments; to speak with mockery or derision; to use taunting language.
  • * ,
    • But when he saw her toy and gibe and jeer .
  • * {{quote-news
    • , year=2011 , date=October 1 , author=Phil McNulty , title=Everton 0 - 2 Liverpool , work=BBC Sport citation , page= , passage=At the end of a frantic first 45 minutes, there was still time for Charlie Adam to strike the bar from 20 yards before referee Atkinson departed to a deafening chorus of jeering from Everton's fans.}}
  • (archaic) To mock; treat with mockery; to taunt; to flout.
  • * Ben Jonson
    • And if we cannot jeer' them, we ' jeer ourselves.
    Synonyms
    * (to utter sarcastic remarks) scoff, sneer * (to treat with scoffs) deride, flout, gibe, mock, ridicule

    Etymology 2

    Compare (gear).

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (nautical) A gear; a tackle.
  • (nautical, in the plural) An assemblage or combination of tackles, for hoisting or lowering the yards of a ship.
  • *
    • Derived terms
    * jeer capstan

    leer

    English

    Etymology 1

    Exact development uncertain, but apparently from *. See below.

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To look sideways or obliquely; now especially with sexual desire or malicious intent.
  • To entice with a leer or leers.
  • * (Dryden)
    • To gild a face with smiles; and leer a man to ruin.

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A significant side glance; a glance expressive of some passion, as malignity, amorousness, etc.; a sly or lecherous look.
  • An arch or affected glance or cast of countenance.

    • Etymology 2

    From (etyl) ler, . More at (l), (l).

    Alternative forms

    * (l), (l), (l)

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (obsolete) The cheek.
    • (Holinshed)
  • (obsolete) The face.
  • (obsolete) One's appearance; countenance.
  • * Shakespeare
    • a Rosalind of a better leer than you
  • (obsolete) Complexion; hue; blee; colour.
  • (obsolete) Flesh; skin.
  • The flank or loin.

    • Anagrams

    * *

    Etymology 3

    From (etyl) lere, from (etyl) . More at (l).

    Alternative forms

    * (l)

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Empty; unoccupied; clear.
    • a leer stomach
    (Gifford)
  • Destitute; lacking; wanting.
  • Faint from lack of food; hungry.
  • Thin; faint.
  • Having no load or burden; free; without a rider.
    • a leer horse
    (Ben Jonson)
  • Lacking sense or seriousness; trifling; frivolous.
    • leer words

    Etymology 4

    From (etyl) leren, from (etyl) . Related to (etyl) {{m, ang, l?r, , lore, learning, science, art of teaching, preaching, doctrine, study, precept, exhortation, advice, instigation, history, story, cunning }}. See lore.

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To teach.
  • To learn.

    • Etymology 5

    See (lehr)

    Noun

    (en noun)
    • English intransitive verbs ----