What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Leer vs Peruse - What's the difference?

leer | peruse | Related terms |

Leer is a related term of peruse.


As nouns the difference between leer and peruse

is that leer is while peruse is an examination or perusal; an instance of perusing.

As a verb peruse is

to examine or consider with care.

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 ----

    peruse

    English

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • An examination or perusal; an instance of perusing.
  • * 2008 , Dave Robson, " Hi-tea, low cost!", Evening Gazette online, September 12,
    • A peruse of the website looked promising

    Verb

    (perus)
  • To examine or consider with care.
  • * {{quote-book, 1847,
    • , passage=Sitting on a low stool, a few yards from her arm-chair, I examined her figure; I perused her features.}}
  • To read completely.
  • * {{quote-book, 1887,
    • , passage=We are for reasons that, after perusing this manuscript, you may be able to guess, going away again this time to Central Asia
  • (informal) To look over casually; to skim.
  • * {{quote-book, 2001, Doug Stanton, In Harm's Way: The Sinking of the USS Indianapolis, page=35 citation
    • , passage=Haynes quickly perused the message, then took it to the captain on the bridge. }}
  • * {{quote-book, 2005, , Acid Alex, page=98 citation
    • , passage=She asked Denise for the court file, which she fussed from her handbag. The woman perused it briefly and then beamed up at me.}}
  • (regional) To go from place to place; to wander.
  • * {{quote-book, 1957, , The Old Man And The Boy, page=55 citation
    • , passage=I loved to straggle off in the mornings

    Usage notes

    * The sense of "skimming" is proscribed by some authorities on usage, including the Oxford American Dictionary''. The shift, however, is not dissimilar to that found in (scan). The ''Oxford English Dictionary further notes that the word was used as a general synonym for (read) as far back as the 16th century.

    Derived terms

    * perusable * perusal * peruser

    Anagrams

    * * ----