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Leer vs Sight - What's the difference?

leer | sight | Related terms |

In transitive terms the difference between leer and sight

is that leer is to learn while sight is to take aim at.

In obsolete terms the difference between leer and sight

is that leer is flesh; skin while sight is the instrument of seeing; the eye.

As verbs the difference between leer and sight

is that leer is to look sideways or obliquely; now especially with sexual desire or malicious intent while sight is to register visually.

As nouns the difference between leer and sight

is that leer is a significant side glance; a glance expressive of some passion, as malignity, amorousness, etc.; a sly or lecherous look while sight is the ability to see.

As an adjective leer

is empty; unoccupied; clear.

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 ----

    sight

    English

    Noun

  • (in the singular) The ability to see.
  • * Shakespeare
    • Thy sight is young, / And thou shalt read when mine begin to dazzle.
  • * Milton
    • O loss of sight , of thee I most complain!
  • The act of seeing; perception of objects by the eye; view.
    • to gain sight of land
  • * Bible, Acts i. 9
    • A cloud received him out of their sight .
  • Something seen.
  • * 2005 , Lesley Brown (translator), :
  • * He's a really remarkable man and it's very hard to get him in one's sights ;
  • Something worth seeing; a spectacle.
    • You really look a sight in that silly costume!
  • * Bible, Exodus iii. 3
    • Moses said, I will now turn aside and see this great sight , why the bush is not burnt.
  • * Spenser
    • They never saw a sight so fair.
  • A device used in aiming a projectile, through which the person aiming looks at the intended target.
  • A small aperture through which objects are to be seen, and by which their direction is settled or ascertained.
    • the sight of a quadrant
  • * Shakespeare
    • their eyes of fire sparking through sights of steel
  • a great deal, a lot; (frequently used to intensify a comparative).
    • a sight of money
    This is a darn sight better than what I'm used to at home!
  • * Gower
    • a wonder sight of flowers
  • * 1913 ,
    • "If your mother put you in the pit at twelve, it's no reason why I should do the same with my lad."
    "Twelve! It wor a sight afore that!"
  • In a drawing, picture, etc., that part of the surface, as of paper or canvas, which is within the frame or the border or margin. In a frame, the open space, the opening.
  • (obsolete) The instrument of seeing; the eye.
  • * Shakespeare
    • Why cloud they not their sights ?
  • Mental view; opinion; judgment.
    • In their sight it was harmless.
    (Wake)
  • * Bible, Luke xvi. 15
    • That which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.

    Synonyms

    * (ability to see) sense of sight, vision * (something seen) view * (aiming device) scope, peep sight

    Derived terms

    * sight for sore eyes * far-sighted * in sight * insight * long-sighted * near-sighted * not a pretty sight * at sight * on sight * out of sight * * outsight * second sight * short-sighted * sight cheque * sight draft * sight for sore eyes * sight gag * sight rhyme * sight unseen

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To register visually.
  • To get sight of (something).
  • * , chapter=4
    • , title= Mr. Pratt's Patients , passage=I was on my way to the door, but all at once, through the fog in my head, I began to sight one reef that I hadn't paid any attention to afore.}}
  • To apply sights to; to adjust the sights of; also, to give the proper elevation and direction to by means of a sight.
  • To take aim at.

    • Synonyms

    * (visually register) see * (get sight of) espy, glimpse, spot * (take aim) aim at, take aim at

    Derived terms

    * resight

    See also

    * see * vision

    Statistics

    *

    Anagrams

    *