lehnen

Meaning

1. (intransitive,reflexive,weak) to lean
2. (transitive,weak) to lean something

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈleːnən/

Etymology

From a merger of two interrelated verbs:.
# Middle High German linen, lenen, from Old High German hlinēn, from Proto-West Germanic *hlinēn, from Proto-Germanic *hlināną
# Middle High German leinen, from Old High German hleinen, from Proto-West Germanic *hlainijan, from Proto-Germanic *hlainijaną, a causative of the former.
The merger occurred in Central and Low German dialects, in which -ei- and open-syllable -i-, -e- all become > -ē- (Middle Low German lēnen). Some Upper German dialects retain a distinction between transitive and intransitive forms to this day. Cognate with Dutch leunen, English lean.