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What is the difference between leer and sneer?

leer | sneer |

In intransitive terms the difference between leer and sneer

is that leer is to look sideways or obliquely; now especially with sexual desire or malicious intent while sneer is to raise a corner of the upper lip slightly, especially in scorn.

In transitive terms the difference between leer and sneer

is that leer is to learn while sneer is to utter with a grimace or contemptuous expression; to say sneeringly.

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 ----

    sneer

    English

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To raise a corner of the upper lip slightly, especially in scorn
  • To utter with a grimace or contemptuous expression; to say sneeringly.
    • to sneer fulsome lies at a person

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A facial expression where one slightly raises one corner of the upper lip, generally indicating scorn.
  • A display of contempt; scorn.
  • * {{quote-book, year=1963, author=(Margery Allingham), title=(The China Governess)
    • , chapter=8 citation , passage=It was a casual sneer , obviously one of a long line. There was hatred behind it, but of a quiet, chronic type, nothing new or unduly virulent, and he was taken aback by the flicker of amazed incredulity that passed over the younger man's ravaged face.}}

    See also

    * snarl

    Anagrams

    * ----